This site is a personal study and walk through the documents known as the Westminster Standards. By engaging in a prolonged study of these documents, I hope not only to enjoy learning more about each document, but also to understand each in its historical context and continued impact on anchoring of orthodox Christian doctrine over the centuries.
NOTE: As of June 1, 2025, the process of putting together this study has just begun. The site is also in development as I get my notes, format, and code together. None of my official study notes have been posted, but I have begun to post some resources, such as the flashcards below. The study links will be active once I begin formal study, beginning with the larger catechism.
Select from the dropdown below to go directly to either catechism for practice and memorization.
The Westminster Standards are a collection of foundational documents in Reformed theology, crafted in the 1640s by the Westminster Assembly, a group of theologians and church leaders convened by the English Parliament. These documents—the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger Catechism, and the Shorter Catechism—articulate core doctrines, beliefs, and practices of Presbyterian and Reformed churches, emphasizing the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, and the centrality of salvation by grace through faith.
Together, these texts provide a comprehensive framework for Christian doctrine and life, serving as a theological cornerstone for many Reformed denominations worldwide. The Confession offers a systematic exposition of faith, while the catechisms provide accessible teaching tools for instructing believers in biblical truths. Valued for their clarity and depth, the Westminster Standards remain influential in shaping Reformed worship, governance, and spiritual formation.
Click here for the WSC flashcards with full Scripture proofs
Click here for the WLC flashcards with full Scripture proofs
... My interest in the Westminster standards in particular began after reading an online post from a pastor I consider to be a faithful teacher and a sober-minded man. He mentioned that he spent a few years really diving into the standards when early in his ministry years, and so it sparked an interest. I had not intentionally ruled out other documents or ancient resources, and I was already harboring an affection for the catechisms and other similar docs, such as the Heidelberg Catechism.
All in all, it seemed a good place to begin. When something is tried and true, persevering through generations, it seems to me there is something there, something material, substantive. And while I'm not "always Reformed all the time" in my theology, I do largely lean into Reformed concepts and see the system, as a whole, a reliable way to interpret Scripture.
... Recency bias pervades the thinking of contemporary culture, and it is a subtle aspect of our culture that we often overlook. The Westminster Standards have stood the test of time and can encourage readers who are inundated with countless information threads that rely only on late 20th and early 21st century thinking. I consider recency bias something to consciously push back on, lest we consider ourselves better than those from the past simply because we are newer.
... I'm not just trying to understand these documents in and of themselves, but rather hope to show modern readers how these documents are still relevant today, and how they can be used to anchor our understanding of the Christian faith in a world that is increasingly hostile to it. Additionally, this is not a cultural commentary that's solely focused on the world, but also speaks to attitudes within the church that I have seen over and again.
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