Question 3: Belief and Duty

Question 3: What do the Scriptures principally teach?

Answer: The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.

Right after this our catechism will ask, "What is God?" But if we want our answer to that question to carry any weight, we need to answer another question first: "By what authority do you describe God that way?" We have already seen that Scripture is the word of God. This question builds on that truth by reminding us that the most important thing God could tell us about, and indeed what he did tell us about, is himself. God is both the author and the subject of the Bible.  If God had simply revealed the truth of science, or history, or math, or some other field, that would indeed have been remarkable. But from beginning to end, God uses the Bible to tell us something that we could never learn anywhere else: the truth about God himself.

God is the author and subject of the Bible, but he did not write it for himself. It is intended for people. There can be nothing more important to people who are created to glorify and enjoy God than having some direction from God about how we are to do this. We see the kindness of God in Scripture not only because he has shown us who he is, but also because he has taught us how to respond. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for doctrine, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Knowledge and duty are excellent friends. Living our lives purposefully and meaningfully by aligning them to the truth about God is a wonderful privilege. Have you taken the time to acquire this truth and apply it in your life?

Reference: Explanation of the Shorter Catechism by Thomas Vincent.