Introduction: Understanding Our Catechetical World

D.L. Moody, the famous evangelist on a trip to Scotland asked a group of school children, “What is prayer?” Many children offered to answer, but one boy stood up and answered, ““Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of his Spirit, with confession of sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.” The boy had answered from the Westminster Catechism. When Moody heard it he responded, “Be thankful, son, that you were born in Scotland!”

Sadly Scotland nor any of the Western nations are a source for such catechetical teaching. But it it doesn’t mean that catechism teaching is not going on.  

In our rapidly changing world, it's essential to recognize that we are in a catechetical world. The subtle but powerful influences that shape our beliefs and values are all around us. Just as we actively seek our Lord Jesus Christ in personal devotion and discipleship, we must also be equipped to navigate a culture that aims to crush our convictions and re-cast our commitment to the Scriptures.

In this newsletter, we'll explore key aspects of catechizing and discipleship, focusing on:

1. How the world is catechizing our church members.

   Then in the follow up post we will look at:

2. The urgent need to counter-catechize and equip them.

3. Different approaches to address these challenges

[This article is based on a message to the Prairie Pastors Fellowship, in Calgary, Alberta, September 12, 2023]

Our Catechetical World: Stoichea Tou Cosmou

As Christians, we are continually influenced by the world around us. Scriptural references from Galatians, Colossians, and Romans remind us of the importance of guarding our minds against the subtle catechism of worldly principles. It's crucial to remember that we are not immune to these influences.

Consider the way that Paul describes this worldly teaching as “the elementary principles of the world” or the “stoichea tou cosmou”. He says:

Galatians 4:3

In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.[1]

Colossians 2:8,

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.[2]

Colossians 2:20

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—[3]

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[4]

These elementary principles of the world are summarized as being:

a) Foundational, like “the ABC’s” of the alphabet

b) Systematic, like a ranked series or orderly pattern.

c) Demonic, associated with and influenced by Satan as his “schemes” (cf. 2 Cor 2:11).

So there is an ungodly, foundational, systematic and demonic catechism that is indoctrinating us at every moment. It is not just that things are bad “out there”. We have to see that there is a demonic system which is aiming to disciple, our children and our society.

Examples of Worldly Catechism

Our culture often employs sophisticated methods to shape our thinking. From corporate frameworks to the effects of the Sexual Revolution, society seeks to catechize us according to its own worldview. We must understand these influences to effectively counter them. Consider a few examples:

“Own the FESG+ narrative”

Organizations must prepare for change as a range of new FESG+ factors start to emerge. They can measure and report their own metrics as part of their own unique narrative, but the disclosures supported by the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council are a good starting point... Business leaders should think about what opportunities there might be to differentiate their organizations by defining new factors and using them to inform the strategic choices they make.”[5]

Comment: This group gives a framework that businesses ought to adopt. The framework makes them distinct. The framework informs their choices. Hidden within a lot of jargon, is the intention to catechize institutions according to a worldview, a philosophy, a ‘disclosure’ or revelation.

The Sexual Revolution:

Examples are too plentiful to point out, but collected together you see the systematic religious instruction which the sexual revolution is engaged in. They are replacing all other religious structures with new ones.

- Drag Queen Story Hour- Catechetical = Sunday school

- Pride Parade – Catechetical = festivals/ ceremonies

- Cancel Culture – Catechetical = curses

- Pride Flag – Catechetical = symbol

Comment: The sexual revolution has created the structures of religion and proselytized the empty, secular, public space. Secularism has no power to resist this sexual evangelism.

Catechizing Technology

Consider the catechizing effect of technology. Social media, smartphones, and the nature of clicks, likes, and online ‘engagement’. For example, we are catechized in these ways:

- Catechized to be distracted (shorter and shorter attention spans)

- Catechized to value and expect results to be instant. No delayed gratification.

- Catechized to eliminate pain as the highest virtue. (modern advertising—pain elimination is the business proposition; abortion/euthanasia – pain elimination whether inconvenience of a baby, or the pain of physical suffering at end of life).

The Disenchanting Imperative

A significant aspect of contemporary culture is the rejection of strong convictions. This skepticism affects our faith, making it essential to embrace and defend our beliefs in a world that encourages relativism. The world's preference for ambiguity challenges us to hold firm to our convictions.

Il est interdit d'interdire ! (“It is Forbidden to Forbid”)

If there is a worldly catechizing that is going on, then R.R. Reno would say that the main lesson of that catechizing is “a disenchanting imperative”. He said:

The disenchanting imperative broadened dramatically in the 1960s. For Europeans, the decisive moment came in May 1968. Rioting French students in Paris scribbled graffiti on the city’s walls: “It is forbidden to forbid.” This contradictory formula marked well the trajectory of the postwar era. It meant that everything strong and limiting goes. We must weaken social authority so that we can live more fully. For the radical French thinkers who came to be called “postmodern,” nihilism offered the opposite of despair. The notion that there are no solid, enduring truths was for them a gospel of freedom.^[6]

What is important to see about Reno’s observation is that it is not just a refusal of Christianity, but a refusal to have strong convictions about anything. This is why in the church that claims Christian faith, there can be an overwhelming suspicion of anything “strong and limiting”. Consider the debates about inerrancy, roles of men and women, etc. ‘Strong and limiting’ views are always on the defensive and they are to be treated with suspicion. The slogan, “Doctrine divides” has been the church growth philosophy post-WWII.

This disenchanting imperative drives the catechizing of the world which we see all around us.

The Need for Catechetical Resiliency

To remain steadfast in our faith, we need catechetical resiliency—a firm, unshakable foundation in our beliefs that withstands external influences. We must develop a faith that is not easily swayed by the world's catechesis.

Apologetics was concerned with defending the faith against the attacks of false religions. Usually this is thought in terms of evangelism. However, we are less prepared for the unofficial religions of the new paganism/ ‘Gnostic Empire Strikes Back’ (Peter Jones)/ and the catechesis of New Technocracy and New Paganism.[7] There is the need for catechetical resiliency that makes the church have a Teflon-non-stick-like skin when the world’s catechesis is applied.

Part II…

In the next Outside the Camp edition, I will look at how pastors and church members can develop catechetical resiliency, to counteract the world’s catechism.

ACTIONS 🥅

1. Ask yourself whether you are aware of the world’s catechism that you are being taught. Can you quickly spot the lessons?

2. What are the ways that you have adopted the world’s catechism lessons unwittingly?

[1] [ὑπὸ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου ἤμεθα δεδουλωμένοι]

[2] [Βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς ἔσται ὁ συλαγωγῶν διὰ τῆς φιλοσοφίας καὶ κενῆς ἀπάτης κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, κατὰ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου καὶ οὐ κατὰ Χριστόν·]

[3] [Εἰ ἀπεθάνετε σὺν Χριστῷ ἀπὸ τῶν στοιχείων τοῦ κόσμου, τί ὡς ζῶντες ἐν κόσμῳ δογματίζεσθε·]

[4] [καὶ μὴ συσχηματίζεσθε τῷ αἰῶνι τούτῳ, ἀλλὰ μεταμορφοῦσθε τῇ ἀνακαινώσει τοῦ νοός, εἰς τὸ δοκιμάζειν ὑμᾶς τί τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ, τὸ ἀγαθὸν καὶ εὐάρεστον καὶ τέλειον.] “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould”[Phillips] “aligned with the schematic of this age”(mine).

[5] Unlocking ESG potential - five actions for business leaders | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

[6] Quoted in R.Reno, The Return of the Strong Gods, First Things. 2017.

[7] See especially the important article from Louise Perry, an agnostic, who nevertheless sees clearly what the re-paganizing of the West will lead to. We Are Repaganizing by Louise Perry | Articles | First Things.