The Gospel Way Catechism: 50 Essential Christian Beliefs in Question-and-Answer Form

by Trevin Wax, Thomas West

Reclaiming an Ancient Tool of Faith Formation for Our Secular Age

In a world overflowing with competing ideas about meaning and purpose, it’s more important than ever to embrace the gospel story as the ultimate lens through which we understand life.

For centuries, Christians have relied on catechisms—question-and-answer summaries of faith—to teach the faith and disciple new believers. The Gospel Way Catechism reclaims this powerful practice, explaining 50 essential Christian beliefs in a clear, Q&A format.

But it doesn’t stop there. Each answer not only clarifies the core tenets of faith, but also equips you to identify and challenge today’s common, yet powerful, cultural narratives. As you are formed by biblical answers to essential questions about God, life, and faith, you will also be counter-formed so you can identify the shortcomings of secular scripts and subvert them with the gospel.

Suitable for individual, group, and church-wide study, this disruptive discipleship tool provides an effective antidote to Western culture’s inherent self-centeredness. Let this guide strengthen your faith and empower you to be salt and light in a culture desperate for meaning.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Devotional, Church, Theology, Christianity, Religion

192 pages, Paperback

Published July 22, 2025

Reviews

[Eliot DeLorme]

I was looking for a resource to disciple newly baptized believers at my church. For context, I pastor in a small town in New Hampshire and most of the new Christians at our church either have 1) little to no background with Christianity or 2) have some nominal Catholic background.

The Gospel Way Catechism is a perfect fit for our people and setting. It is more in depth than our statement of faith and yet more accessible than the 1689 or Westminster Confessions. Statements of faith and historic Protestant confessions have a beautiful place in church life and yet this resource fills a gap for those just trying to get their moorings on the big picture of the gospel story.

This Catechism includes a brief explanation of each answer with supporting scripture and discussion questions. Most explanations begin with a cultural narrative related to the question and then counters that narrative with the biblical narrative. It is a counter-catechism for those living in the modern west. I appreciate how it clearly counters false cultural narratives while focusing and the goodness truth and beauty of God and his gospel. I also appreciate how the catechism uses accessible language and traces the big story of the Bible in the redemption section.

I do wish that the catechism also included how the gospel contrasts other major world religions, but it was mainly focused on western cultural narratives instead.

The end of the book includes definitions of the gospel from several different theologians that were helpful.

[Barry]

3.5 stars (between good and very good)

This is an updated catechism of 50 questions and answers similar to the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Each of the 50 brief chapters has 4 parts: the question and answer (eg, “How do we see God and come to know him? We see God by the light of his revelation, not by our imagination. God reveals his character and purposes through his Word and works.”), an elaboration on the response specifically contrasting the Christian teaching with the typical modern or postmodern viewpoint, a series of discussion questions, and then a list of scripture references.

The book is designed to be used as a group study over the course of a year (one chapter per week), but I didn’t use it as intended, but instead just zipped thru it by reading a few chapters each day for a week. Good stuff!

[Fuller Musselwhite]

Personally, I don’t believe this book belongs in the same category as the historic catechisms. If you are looking to disciple your children or write beautiful and robust truths on your heart, I’d recommend a Catechism for Boys and Girls or the Heidelberg Catechism - or even the New City Catechism if you want something shorter and more modern. BUT if you are actively engaging with nonbelieving friends, leading a small group, or desiring a 7-10 week devotional look no further - a wonderful read

[Danae Whitteker]

I read this with my women's Bible study, and it was great. In a book like this, there will always be chapters that resonate more than others, but overall it was excellent and I'd recommend it to anyone!

If I am nitpicking, I would have appreciated a more nuanced view of sin. They did a good job explaining how we are all image bearers of God who have value. Some may disagree with me, but I believe this image is what instills our moral compass as well. I am NOT trying to insinuate that we are all basically good because I most definitely believe in our sin nature - not only have I seen it in my own life, but there's also plenty of evidence in the scandals and abuse that are rampant in this world. But I also do not believe we are all out to exploit one another constantly or are holding ourselves back from breaking laws everyday. It isn't one or the other, it's a complicated both and, because the perfect image of God inside each of us has been tainted by sin. I wish they had taken a bit more nuanced view to explain that. But overall, very helpful and a good read.

[Donald White]

I enjoyed reading The Gospel Way Catechism. It brings out the importance and the relevance of orthodox Christian doctrine and shows how it is a better way to follow by comparing it to popular beliefs in our culture.

[Beth]

I found this book to be a great overview of the biblical truths that form the foundation of the Christian faith. I think this would make an incredible small group study. The book contains 50 questions and answers and is divided into 7 parts. Each question and answer includes reflection questions for further discussion and introspection as well as scripture references to go deeper.
Thank you, Harvest House Publishers for a complimentary copy of this book! All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Morgan Faith]

Cannot speak highly enough of this resource. I will be coming back to it again and again.

[Ryan Henning]

I definitely want to read it again more slowly and intentionally - maybe even with a small church group! I appreciate the connections to everyday living in a fresh, well-written way.

[Chloe Cox]

The Gospel Way Catechism expertly retrieves the long-standing church tradition of catechesis, an extrabiblical yet deeply biblical-in-spirit practice, not to replace Scripture, but to clearly and faithfully summarize it. In 50 concise questions and answers, it grounds believers in gospel truth, equips them to resist cultural lies, and will strengthen the church for generations to come.

[John Andrew Szott III]

I found this to be a really accessible resource that I will draw upon in the future. I particularly appreciate the effort towards counter-catechesis, even if it felt like beating the expressive individualism horse to death at times. What’s more, I was pleasantly surprised at some of the nuances Wax & West incorporated into their commentary throughout!

[Christopher L]

Decent primer. I appreciate the intent but felt overly simplistic at times. Workbook is a bit better.

[Emily]

(I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.)

We are huge catechism fans in our home. We use them for ourselves, we teach them to our kids, and we find them helpful in engaging with others.

Something I appreciate so much about this book of catechisms is that, not only does this book provide the classic question-and-answer format, it seeks to speak directly to the false cultural narratives of today and counter them with timeless truth from God’s Word.

This book would be a great resource for personal reading, but would also be fantastic in a group setting or even a bible study.

The book is organized into seven parts:

God
Creation and Identity
Fall and Sin
Story of Redemption
Salvation by the Spirit
The People of God
Future Hope

At the end of each individual catechism question and answer, the author includes a brief entry elaborating on the answer given, reflection questions, and an abundance of scripture references.

Amazing resource! I would highly recommend this title.

[Ryan Martin]

This was a theologically deep, rich, and practical catechism to walk through. The various categories of God, Creation/Identity, Fall and Sin, Redemption, Salvation by the Spirit, The People of God, and Future of Hope pulled together key doctrines of the faith to think through not only the storyline of redemption, but walking out our salvation as believers. The best part of this catechism were the three questions at the end of each chapter helping readers process and apply the material. This helped me to slow down and think through how this doctrine and these truths apply to my life now. I look forward to walking back through this catechism over the course of a year to more slowly memorize and meditate on these truths.

[Sarah Hickner]

I’m reading this for Bible study and I love it so much. Ive recommended it to friends. It breaks down a lot of countercultural gospel truths. Currently just past the halfway mark and I can’t imagine my rating changing.

It’s also a good one to buddy read or read with a group and then talk about. Honestly I think if I read it solo I’d like it ok, but it’s been my favorite group read and this is probably our tenth book since I joined this group.

It makes a nice quiet time supplement as well. You could read one catechism a day (that basically what I’m doing)

[Carol Ghattas]

The Gospel Way will prove to be an important resource for helping Christians counteract and respond to the influences of our day. Written in simple and easy-to-understand language, Christians of all ages will benefit from its instruction. Each day's topic includes Scripture references and questions for deeper reflection and study, preparing a new generation to stand strong in their faith and in the face of opposition.

[Stephanie Pavlic]

This is a great book full of solid theology and explanations behind some of the core beliefs of a gospel centered church. I read it in ebook format but I bet it would be even better in physical format. Definitely give yourself lots of time to read it. There’s a lot to ponder, work through, and journal about!

[Becky Schommer]

I’d like to give it a 4.5 but 4 will do. I appreciated the counter-cultural approach, though I didn’t always fully agree with what the author believed the cultural answer to be. The questions and answers were very thought provoking though and great to go through in a Group context.

[Brandon Billings]

This was pretty great and would recommend for church discipleship conversations. Bonus points for having reflection questions and additional references for further reading.

[Lindsey Layton]

Definitely a book to come back to over and over again. Such a great resource!