God as Creator
Westminster Shorter Catechism · Q1–Q12
Q1. What is the chief end of man?
Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.
Proof texts
- 1 Cor. 10:31 — [31] So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
- Rom. 11:36 — [36] For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
- Ps. 73:25-28 — [25] Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. [26] My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. [27] For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. [28] But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 1 Cor. 10:31 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- HC Q1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WLC Q1 · HC Q1 · HC Q2 · BC 1.1 · BC 1.2 · BC 1.3 · BC 1.4 · BC 1.5 · BC 1.6 · BC 1.7
Q2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
Proof texts
- 2 Tim. 3:16 — [16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
- Eph. 2:20 — [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
- 1 John 1:3-4 — [3] that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. [4] And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 2 Tim. 3:16 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q3 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q4 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WLC Q3 · WLC Q4 · WLC Q5 · HC Q1 · HC Q2 · BC 1.1 · BC 1.2 · BC 1.3 · BC 1.4 · BC 1.5 · BC 1.6 · BC 1.7
Q3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
Proof texts
- 2 Tim. 1:13 — [13] Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
- 2 Tim. 3:16 — [16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 2 Tim. 1:13 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 2 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q5 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- HC Q1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WLC Q5 · HC Q1 · HC Q2 · BC 1.1 · BC 1.2 · BC 1.3 · BC 1.4 · BC 1.5 · BC 1.6 · BC 1.7
Q4. What is God?
God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Proof texts
- John 4:24 — [24] God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
- Job 11:7-9 — [7] “Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? [8] It is higher than heaven — what can you do? Deeper than Sheol — what can you know? [9] Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.
- Ps. 90:2 — [2] Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
- Jas. 1:17 — [17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
- Ex. 3:14 — [14] God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
- Ps. 147:5 — [5] Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
- Rev. 4:8 — [8] And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
- 15:4 — [4] Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
- Ex. 34:6-7 — [6] The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, [7] keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited John 4:24 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 9 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q7 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- HC Q8 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
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Q5. Are there more Gods than one?
There is but one only, the living and true God.
Proof texts
- Deut. 6:4 — [4] “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
- Jer. 10:10 — [10] But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Deut. 6:4 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 2 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q8 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- HC Q8 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Proof texts
- 1 John 5:7 — [7] For there are three that testify:
- Matt. 28:19 — [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 1 John 5:7 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 2 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q9 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q10 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WLC Q9 · WLC Q10 · WLC Q11 · HC Q8 · BC 2.1 · BC 2.2 · BC 2.3 · BC 2.4
Q7. What are the decrees of God?
The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
Proof texts
- Eph. 1:4,11 — [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love [11] In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
- Rom. 9:22-23 — [22] What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, [23] in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory —
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Eph. 1:4,11 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 2 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q12 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 5.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q8. How doth God execute his decrees?
God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.
Proof texts
- Ps. 148:8 — [8] fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!
- Isa. 40:26 — [26] Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.
- Dan. 4:35 — [35] all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
- Acts 4:24-28 — [24] And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, [25] who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? [26] The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’ — [27] for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, [28] to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.
- Rev. 4:11 — [11] “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Ps. 148:8 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q14 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 5.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q9. What is the work of creation?
The work of creation is, God's making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.
Proof texts
- Gen. 1 — [1] In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. [2] The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. [3] And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. [4] And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. [5] God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. [6] And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” [7] And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. [8] And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. [9] And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. [10] God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. [11] And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. [12] The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. [13] And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. [14] And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, [15] and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. [16] And God made the two great lights — the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night — and the stars. [17] And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, [18] to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. [19] And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. [20] And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” [21] So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. [22] And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” [23] And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. [24] And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds — livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. [25] And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. [26] Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. [28] And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” [29] And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. [30] And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. [31] And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
- Heb. 11:3 — [3] By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Gen. 1 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 2 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q15 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q16 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WLC Q15 · WLC Q16 · HC Q26 · HC Q27 · HC Q28 · BC 3.1 · BC 3.2
Q10. How did God create man?
God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.
Proof texts
- Gen. 1:26-28 — [26] Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. [28] And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
- Col. 3:10 — [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
- Eph. 4:24 — [24] and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Gen. 1:26-28 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q17 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- HC Q26 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q11. What are God's works of providence?
God's works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.
Proof texts
- Ps. 145:17 — [17] The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.
- Ps. 104:24 — [24] O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
- Isa. 28:29 — [29] This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.
- Heb. 1:3 — [3] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
- Ps. 103:19 — [19] The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
- Matt. 10:29-31 — [29] Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. [30] But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. [31] Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Ps. 145:17 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q18 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- HC Q26 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q12. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?
When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death.
Proof texts
- Gal. 3:12 — [12] But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”
- Gen. 2:17 — [17] but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Gal. 3:12 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 2 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q19 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q20 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WLC Q19 · WLC Q20 · HC Q26 · HC Q27 · HC Q28 · BC 3.1 · BC 3.2