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To Be a Christian: An Anglican Catechism
Catechesis is an ancient practice of Christian disciple making that uses a simple question-and-answer format to instruct new believers and church members in the core beliefs of Christianity. To Be a Christian , by J. I. Packer and a team of other Anglican leaders, was written to renew this oft-forgotten tradition for today’s Christians. With over 360 questions and answers, plus Scripture references to support each teaching, this catechism covers the full range of Christian doctrine and life, drawing from the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and other important doctrinal summaries. Clear, concise, and conversational, this resource was written for all believers who seek to be grounded more deeply in the truth of God’s Word.
160 pages, Hardcover
Published January 28, 2020
117 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
About the author
J.I. Packer
448 books932 followersWhat do J. I. Packer, Billy Graham and Richard John Neuhaus have in common? Each was recently named by TIME magazine as among the 25 most influential evangelicals in America.
Dr. Packer, the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College, was hailed by TIME as “a doctrinal Solomon” among Protestants. “Mediating debates on everything from a particular Bible translation to the acceptability of free-flowing Pentecostal spirituality, Packer helps unify a community [evangelicalism] that could easily fall victim to its internal tensions.”
Knowing God, Dr. Packer’s seminal 1973 work, was lauded as a book which articulated shared beliefs for members of diverse denominations; the TIME profile quotes Michael Cromartie of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington as saying, “conservative Methodists and Presbyterians and Baptists could all look to [Knowing God] and say, ‘This sums it all up for us.’”
In a similar tribute to Dr. Packer almost ten years ago, American theologian Mark Noll wrote in Christianity Today that, “Packer’s ability to address immensely important subjects in crisp, succinct sentences is one of the reasons why, both as an author and speaker, he has played such an important role among American evangelicals for four decades.”
For over 25 years Regent College students have been privileged to study under Dr. Packer’s clear and lucid teaching, and our faculty, staff and students celebrate the international recognition he rightly receives as a leading Christian thinker and teacher.
(https://www.regent-college.edu/facult...)
Dr. Packer, the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College, was hailed by TIME as “a doctrinal Solomon” among Protestants. “Mediating debates on everything from a particular Bible translation to the acceptability of free-flowing Pentecostal spirituality, Packer helps unify a community [evangelicalism] that could easily fall victim to its internal tensions.”
Knowing God, Dr. Packer’s seminal 1973 work, was lauded as a book which articulated shared beliefs for members of diverse denominations; the TIME profile quotes Michael Cromartie of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington as saying, “conservative Methodists and Presbyterians and Baptists could all look to [Knowing God] and say, ‘This sums it all up for us.’”
In a similar tribute to Dr. Packer almost ten years ago, American theologian Mark Noll wrote in Christianity Today that, “Packer’s ability to address immensely important subjects in crisp, succinct sentences is one of the reasons why, both as an author and speaker, he has played such an important role among American evangelicals for four decades.”
For over 25 years Regent College students have been privileged to study under Dr. Packer’s clear and lucid teaching, and our faculty, staff and students celebrate the international recognition he rightly receives as a leading Christian thinker and teacher.
(https://www.regent-college.edu/facult...)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
November 20, 2020
In all candor, I'm not Anglican nor Episcopalian. I'm a Presbyterian by conviction. But I did earn my doctorate at a conservative Episcopal/Anglican seminary in Pennsylvania (Trinity School for Ministry) and am fairly well versed on that tradition and many of its peculiarities. So I was pleased to open the pages of "To Be A Christian: An Anglican Catechism (Approved Edition)" and peruse fully the nicely bound 160 pages of this hardback. The print is easy on the eyes, and the content does good for the soul. A catechism is an ancient pattern of programmed questions and answers, and in the Christian setting, they are questions that systematically work through key areas with biblically shaped answers, which is exactly what happens in this volume.
After the front-matter (that includes an introduction by J.I. Packer), the catechism breaks out into four sections: beginning in Christ; believing in Christ; belonging to Christ; and becoming like Christ. I deeply appreciate the gospel-centeredness echoed in the section headings, and clearly laid out in the ensuing material. Each of the larger and smaller segments are peppered with ancient-but-contemporized prayers. There are explanatory introductions to each portion that guide the uniformed. And every answer has it's biblical roots listed. The ending substance includes supplemental prayers, a rite for admission of students to the study of the faith, creeds and a few other items. It is well crafted, and made to be used and reused for decades to come.
I admired the emphasis on our bodies being good and that because of Christ being risen from the dead physically, we are to anticipate our own physical resurrection. Also, the explanations of the Lord's Prayer are thoughtful, devotional and theological. Further, the way the Ten Commandments are handled is beautiful, not only looking at what is prohibited but also into what is promoted in God's Law. Finally, the compilers of the catechism have been very clear about the value of human life at every stage, the singularity of marriage between one man and one woman for life, and the beauty of celibate singleness. There is much to commend this work, even to non-Anglicans!
One of my main squabbles with the work is that it is very Anglican, even down to the point of including seven sacraments instead of only the two Christ directed. But in this regard, what else should I have expected? It says it is Anglican right on the cover! My other beef is that it is light on justification, and heavier on sanctification. These two doctrinal categories should have at least been balanced out more, especially defining what justification is and isn't. But at least it is Protestant in it's understanding of justification.
For all of my Anglican and Episcopal friends, "To Be A Christian" is light-years ahead of any other catechism in your tradition, in my experience. It is enjoyable to read through, and the Collects (prayers) that pop up at just the right moment keeps the volume devotional while it is being doctrinal. I happily and highly recommend the work.
After the front-matter (that includes an introduction by J.I. Packer), the catechism breaks out into four sections: beginning in Christ; believing in Christ; belonging to Christ; and becoming like Christ. I deeply appreciate the gospel-centeredness echoed in the section headings, and clearly laid out in the ensuing material. Each of the larger and smaller segments are peppered with ancient-but-contemporized prayers. There are explanatory introductions to each portion that guide the uniformed. And every answer has it's biblical roots listed. The ending substance includes supplemental prayers, a rite for admission of students to the study of the faith, creeds and a few other items. It is well crafted, and made to be used and reused for decades to come.
I admired the emphasis on our bodies being good and that because of Christ being risen from the dead physically, we are to anticipate our own physical resurrection. Also, the explanations of the Lord's Prayer are thoughtful, devotional and theological. Further, the way the Ten Commandments are handled is beautiful, not only looking at what is prohibited but also into what is promoted in God's Law. Finally, the compilers of the catechism have been very clear about the value of human life at every stage, the singularity of marriage between one man and one woman for life, and the beauty of celibate singleness. There is much to commend this work, even to non-Anglicans!
One of my main squabbles with the work is that it is very Anglican, even down to the point of including seven sacraments instead of only the two Christ directed. But in this regard, what else should I have expected? It says it is Anglican right on the cover! My other beef is that it is light on justification, and heavier on sanctification. These two doctrinal categories should have at least been balanced out more, especially defining what justification is and isn't. But at least it is Protestant in it's understanding of justification.
For all of my Anglican and Episcopal friends, "To Be A Christian" is light-years ahead of any other catechism in your tradition, in my experience. It is enjoyable to read through, and the Collects (prayers) that pop up at just the right moment keeps the volume devotional while it is being doctrinal. I happily and highly recommend the work.
September 7, 2025
FANTASTIC resource for ALL Christians!
My minister recommended this book to me and I honestly believe every Christian should own a copy. It is incredibly helpful and practical, including over 360 questions and answers.
I feel blessed to have found this book and I hope you can too 🕊️ 🙏🏼 ❤️
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.””
Galatians 5:14 NIV
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My minister recommended this book to me and I honestly believe every Christian should own a copy. It is incredibly helpful and practical, including over 360 questions and answers.
I feel blessed to have found this book and I hope you can too 🕊️ 🙏🏼 ❤️
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.””
Galatians 5:14 NIV
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
April 27, 2022
As I will soon be confirmed in the Anglican church, I'd better like the book we are using in catechesis. It follows the standard question-and-answer format found in much catechetical literature, with scads of biblical references in each question. It's structured mostly on the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, with some other necessary bits.
What has drawn me to Anglicanism as much as the liturgy is the commitment to being a via media, a way between the schism and controversies of the church. As my priest says, "While the Calvinists and Lutherans were finessing points of doctrine, Anglicans were making their prayer book." Some Anglicans are Reformed, some are charismatic, some are Arminian, some are Anglo-Catholic...the pew is wide. The commitment to practices of the early church is evident here in a way I haven't found in other Protestant denominations. Alongside liturgy and Scripture in the common language, early Anglicans committed to translating prayers into English, and many of those ancient collects are in To Be a Christian. And, I must say, it is quite fun to see how the liturgy is reimagined all over the world. Most Anglicans live on the continent of Africa, and the Kenyan Eucharist liturgy is my favorite after the Renewed Ancient Text.
One star taken off because the appendices were not always as useful as they should have been. Several of them were a single page saying "visit this page on our website." As I was reading the physical book, this was very annoying. Just print the page in this book! I'm sure that would not have been annoying had I been reading the free PDF on the website, though. It didn't bother me as much when the appendix pointed to something printed in the Book of Common Prayer, because it's worth having that in an Anglican home.
What has drawn me to Anglicanism as much as the liturgy is the commitment to being a via media, a way between the schism and controversies of the church. As my priest says, "While the Calvinists and Lutherans were finessing points of doctrine, Anglicans were making their prayer book." Some Anglicans are Reformed, some are charismatic, some are Arminian, some are Anglo-Catholic...the pew is wide. The commitment to practices of the early church is evident here in a way I haven't found in other Protestant denominations. Alongside liturgy and Scripture in the common language, early Anglicans committed to translating prayers into English, and many of those ancient collects are in To Be a Christian. And, I must say, it is quite fun to see how the liturgy is reimagined all over the world. Most Anglicans live on the continent of Africa, and the Kenyan Eucharist liturgy is my favorite after the Renewed Ancient Text.
One star taken off because the appendices were not always as useful as they should have been. Several of them were a single page saying "visit this page on our website." As I was reading the physical book, this was very annoying. Just print the page in this book! I'm sure that would not have been annoying had I been reading the free PDF on the website, though. It didn't bother me as much when the appendix pointed to something printed in the Book of Common Prayer, because it's worth having that in an Anglican home.
September 11, 2023
My initial read through was completed while I was Israel. The truths of God are distilled into simple sentences. I was repeatedly struck by the goodness and hope of the faith. Since then I have returned to the book several times in class settings, both in person and virtual. There are many ways to use the material individually and as a group. The organization of the content is smartly arranged. It's more in-depth than the 1662 Catechism, but not so specific as to limit its usefulness to any one segment of the big-tent that Anglicanism is.
August 11, 2020
With over 360 questions this isn’t necessarily suited to memorization, but what a gift to the church. It encapsulates the heart of the faith, and it does so winsomely, clearly, and memorably.
July 3, 2022
An excellent catechism. It was encouraging to read a modern catechism that is saturated in the Bible and the historic faith.
August 25, 2025
Amazing summary of the Christian faith for Anglicans and non-Anglicans alike.
July 17, 2024
Superb! Hands down my favorite catechism. I much prefer this to the Presbyterian leaning catechisms I’ve gone through.
March 25, 2025
Aside from its portion on sacraments this doesn’t really dive into any Anglican specificities. This is certainly a very Anglican thing to do… which is fine
January 28, 2024
feel like every Christian would agree with 95% of this catechism. then the sacraments portion rolls around, which every Christian should agree with 😉
March 15, 2025
Haiku!
God's grace and mercy.
His blessings upon blessings.
Simple yet profound.
A beautiful read during this Lenten season, filled with many reminders of God's grace and sanctifying work.
God's grace and mercy.
His blessings upon blessings.
Simple yet profound.
A beautiful read during this Lenten season, filled with many reminders of God's grace and sanctifying work.
April 24, 2025
I was blown away with how good this is. It is a perfect tool for discipleship, especially of new believers.
The book consists of 368 questions and answers which are divided into four parts:
1) Beginning with Christ (The Gospel / Salvation)
2) Believing in Christ (The Creeds/Scripture/Sacraments)
3) Belonging to Christ (Lord's Prayer/Spiritual Disciplines)
4) Becoming like Christ (Ten Commandments/Sanctification)
Though the book was written by Anglicans, for Anglicans, most answers can be amen'd by any denomination.
I'm really happy that the ACNA (Anglican Church in North America) approved this for use as it shows that they are serious about passing down the faith to new members and subsequent generations. I asked Ephraim Radner if there were any other Anglican provinces that had produced their own catechism, and he couldn't think of any. So it is a rare, if not unprecedented move to produce such a volume. Having an official BCP (2019) and a catechism (2020) gives the ACNA a good foundation to ground their worship and discipleship.
The book consists of 368 questions and answers which are divided into four parts:
1) Beginning with Christ (The Gospel / Salvation)
2) Believing in Christ (The Creeds/Scripture/Sacraments)
3) Belonging to Christ (Lord's Prayer/Spiritual Disciplines)
4) Becoming like Christ (Ten Commandments/Sanctification)
Though the book was written by Anglicans, for Anglicans, most answers can be amen'd by any denomination.
I'm really happy that the ACNA (Anglican Church in North America) approved this for use as it shows that they are serious about passing down the faith to new members and subsequent generations. I asked Ephraim Radner if there were any other Anglican provinces that had produced their own catechism, and he couldn't think of any. So it is a rare, if not unprecedented move to produce such a volume. Having an official BCP (2019) and a catechism (2020) gives the ACNA a good foundation to ground their worship and discipleship.
November 20, 2025
Wonderful distillation of the core and beauty of our faith. The team that put it together did a remarkable job in presenting some of the most complex realities of Christianity in a memorable and comprehendible way. Of course, while it is an Anglican catechism that unabashedly declares some Anglican distinctives, it is largely a presentation of Mere Christianity to be professed by all.
May 2, 2024
I was reading this book for a membership class at my church at the same time that I decided to take an adventure into another borough to pick up something from Facebook marketplace. The train I needed was down so I ended up taking a bus, and I found myself on the side of a Manhattan highway on a sunny Saturday, leaning against scaffolding and reading an Anglican catechism. It made me laugh. What a life I get to live.
Anyway, catechisms always stress me out a little bit because I want them to say more and parse things more clearly and add all the nuances and caveats and...but that's precisely not the point of a catechism. I'm not sure how easily memorizable this one is but it is well-structured, clear, and even beautifully written at times. It's a solid introduction to the basics of the Christian faith, and Anglicanism, so it certainly fulfills its purpose.
I love the structure: beginning with Christ (the gospel), believing in Christ (the Apostles Creed), belonging to Christ (the Lord's Prayer), becoming like Christ (the Ten Commandments). Using those passages as frameworks, it's able to cover not only texts essential to the Christian faith but the crucial ideas that they directly and indirectly speak to. And it gets the order so right: who Jesus is and what he's done, then our relationship with him ("Our Father..."), and then the actions that flow from that (sanctification). So while it is definitely Anglican (which it's clear about from the beginning) and spends a good chunk of time on the sacraments, I think the vast majority of it and the overall order are powerful testaments to catholic, orthodox faith that any Christian (well, maybe just Protestant) can get behind.
I was inspired by the questions it asked of the 10 Commandments, not just what is the full range of what is forbidden, but why God forbid such things and then, how we can pursue the positive alternative. I also appreciated the clarity of the body as good and something God cares about.
Parts of it were truly beautiful, too. For example, question #299, "how does keeping the Sabbath help you to grow in Christ?" Answer: "As I keep a weekly day of rest and worship, my faith in God my Creator is strengthened, my hope in God my Provider is renewed, and my love for God my Redeemer is deepened." You can hear cadences from the Book of Common Prayer like that throughout. And it includes a wonderful collect after each section!
The sample "believer's prayer" makes me cringe a little, which is more a reflection on my experience with this being misused because I do think there is a place for these prayers; I wish it delves more into sin as forces of evil and brokenness as well as personal moral choices; and I wish there is more Christus Victor language alongside sacrifice to describe what the atonement accomplishes—but again, it can't be a systematic theology. Overall, a catechism I'll be coming back to.
Anyway, catechisms always stress me out a little bit because I want them to say more and parse things more clearly and add all the nuances and caveats and...but that's precisely not the point of a catechism. I'm not sure how easily memorizable this one is but it is well-structured, clear, and even beautifully written at times. It's a solid introduction to the basics of the Christian faith, and Anglicanism, so it certainly fulfills its purpose.
I love the structure: beginning with Christ (the gospel), believing in Christ (the Apostles Creed), belonging to Christ (the Lord's Prayer), becoming like Christ (the Ten Commandments). Using those passages as frameworks, it's able to cover not only texts essential to the Christian faith but the crucial ideas that they directly and indirectly speak to. And it gets the order so right: who Jesus is and what he's done, then our relationship with him ("Our Father..."), and then the actions that flow from that (sanctification). So while it is definitely Anglican (which it's clear about from the beginning) and spends a good chunk of time on the sacraments, I think the vast majority of it and the overall order are powerful testaments to catholic, orthodox faith that any Christian (well, maybe just Protestant) can get behind.
I was inspired by the questions it asked of the 10 Commandments, not just what is the full range of what is forbidden, but why God forbid such things and then, how we can pursue the positive alternative. I also appreciated the clarity of the body as good and something God cares about.
Parts of it were truly beautiful, too. For example, question #299, "how does keeping the Sabbath help you to grow in Christ?" Answer: "As I keep a weekly day of rest and worship, my faith in God my Creator is strengthened, my hope in God my Provider is renewed, and my love for God my Redeemer is deepened." You can hear cadences from the Book of Common Prayer like that throughout. And it includes a wonderful collect after each section!
The sample "believer's prayer" makes me cringe a little, which is more a reflection on my experience with this being misused because I do think there is a place for these prayers; I wish it delves more into sin as forces of evil and brokenness as well as personal moral choices; and I wish there is more Christus Victor language alongside sacrifice to describe what the atonement accomplishes—but again, it can't be a systematic theology. Overall, a catechism I'll be coming back to.
November 21, 2019
To Be A Christian is a new catechism written specifically for Anglicans. I am not an Anglican. (Though certainly I can affirm many of the questions and answers in this one.) I wanted to let you know at the start that I am not an Anglican and I am looking at this from more of an outsider perspective.
The question isn't so much do believers--in general--need catechisms and creeds. The question is do Anglicans need their own catechism, an updated catechism though the content is often drawn from a rich, traditional past? The editors' obvious answer is YES, yes they do.
Do I agree that Anglicans need their own catechism? I'm not sure that I'm convinced. But hey I am an outsider.
So the catechism covers the gospel and faith in general, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, prayer in general, the Ten Commandments, etc. All stuff you'd expect in ANY christian catechism. But it doesn't stick with the basics. It goes above and beyond to cover things that are specifically or exclusively Anglican.
When it's covering more-basic, truly-essential Christian doctrine and creed, the catechism is good and beneficial.
So at times I found myself LOVING it. And at other times it was more of a meh response. There are over 360 questions and answers that one would potentially have to memorize. That is A LOT. The answers are concise, but perhaps there are a few too many for the average reader...unless one is truly an Anglican.
The question isn't so much do believers--in general--need catechisms and creeds. The question is do Anglicans need their own catechism, an updated catechism though the content is often drawn from a rich, traditional past? The editors' obvious answer is YES, yes they do.
Do I agree that Anglicans need their own catechism? I'm not sure that I'm convinced. But hey I am an outsider.
So the catechism covers the gospel and faith in general, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, prayer in general, the Ten Commandments, etc. All stuff you'd expect in ANY christian catechism. But it doesn't stick with the basics. It goes above and beyond to cover things that are specifically or exclusively Anglican.
When it's covering more-basic, truly-essential Christian doctrine and creed, the catechism is good and beneficial.
So at times I found myself LOVING it. And at other times it was more of a meh response. There are over 360 questions and answers that one would potentially have to memorize. That is A LOT. The answers are concise, but perhaps there are a few too many for the average reader...unless one is truly an Anglican.
August 2, 2023
Came across this with intriguing reviews and out of pure curiosity, I compared it to Luther's Small Catechism-- which I grew up with, and also compared to the Heidelburg Catechism and the New City Catechism. Thinking how my family (kids) can benefit from the Catechism. The organization of this catechism allows it to stand above the rest: 4 sections: 1. Beginning with Jesus (what is the gospel, what is salvation), 2. Believing in Jesus (Creeds, sacraments, scripture), 3. Belonging to Jesus (Lords Prayer, Rule of Life), 4. Becoming like Jesus (Ten Commandments and Salvation/Justification).
Luther's Catechism covers the same historical church topics and instruction is also based on tradition and essentials of the faith but is organized a little more topically versus the To Be A Christians which has a framework based on the Christian experience to hang these Christian essentials on. And (generally speaking) the reformed catechisms teach from a systematic approach and then brings in the creeds, 10 commandments, sacraments, etc... as it fits the system. But again the simple organization of To Be A Christian is why I prefer it above Luther's.
Of course, To Be A Christian also lacks systematic theology and over-emphasis on reformed doctrines and doesn't pit "works" versus "faith" against one another which I believe is a gross false dichotomy.
Luther's Catechism covers the same historical church topics and instruction is also based on tradition and essentials of the faith but is organized a little more topically versus the To Be A Christians which has a framework based on the Christian experience to hang these Christian essentials on. And (generally speaking) the reformed catechisms teach from a systematic approach and then brings in the creeds, 10 commandments, sacraments, etc... as it fits the system. But again the simple organization of To Be A Christian is why I prefer it above Luther's.
Of course, To Be A Christian also lacks systematic theology and over-emphasis on reformed doctrines and doesn't pit "works" versus "faith" against one another which I believe is a gross false dichotomy.
July 31, 2025
If you’re in an ACNA-aligned Anglican Church and want to learn more about their official doctrine, this is a great resource. I would recommend starting with The Anglican Way by Thomas MacKenzie; that will give you some of the foundational guiding principles behind Anglicanism and introduce you to the Anglican Compass. To Be a Christian: An Anglican Catechism will clarify where the boundaries of the compass are. Keep in mind, the stances taken here are aligned with the ACNA and may not be representative of other denominations within the Anglican family such as the Episcopal Church.
Whether you agree or not with the doctrinal stances taken, they are laid out very clearly in a question and answer format and cover a lot of ground for so few pages. The work makes extensive use of familiar frameworks like the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments as teaching aids, which helps bring the teachings together and makes them easier to remember.
Lastly, I think this book is a really valuable resource for prayer (even if you’re not Anglican). I found several that I may print out and pray on a regular basis.
Whether you agree or not with the doctrinal stances taken, they are laid out very clearly in a question and answer format and cover a lot of ground for so few pages. The work makes extensive use of familiar frameworks like the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments as teaching aids, which helps bring the teachings together and makes them easier to remember.
Lastly, I think this book is a really valuable resource for prayer (even if you’re not Anglican). I found several that I may print out and pray on a regular basis.
December 23, 2025
This is a fantastic resource, and it is immensely encouraging to have a fresh and thoughtful evangelical catechism that has been written nd developed with a distinctively Anglican flavour.
The classic prayer book catechism is brief, pithy and easily memorised, whereas this book is a much more comprehensive resource that provides a more in-depth grounding in core aspects of the Christian faith. It is also striking that, while written from an Anglican perspective and drawing on the Anglican formularies, there is little that could not be wholeheartedly affirmed by any evangelical Protestant believer.
While it is too long (at 368 individual questions and answers) to be memorised in whole, each individual question and answer is pithy and memorable, and comes with scripture references for further study. J. I. Packers' influence as theological editor frequently shines through, and his tendency to “Packer pack” is ideally suited to the catechetical format.
This is a book I will return to again and again, both for myself, my children, and for our church as we seek to grow and spur one another on in the faith.
The classic prayer book catechism is brief, pithy and easily memorised, whereas this book is a much more comprehensive resource that provides a more in-depth grounding in core aspects of the Christian faith. It is also striking that, while written from an Anglican perspective and drawing on the Anglican formularies, there is little that could not be wholeheartedly affirmed by any evangelical Protestant believer.
While it is too long (at 368 individual questions and answers) to be memorised in whole, each individual question and answer is pithy and memorable, and comes with scripture references for further study. J. I. Packers' influence as theological editor frequently shines through, and his tendency to “Packer pack” is ideally suited to the catechetical format.
This is a book I will return to again and again, both for myself, my children, and for our church as we seek to grow and spur one another on in the faith.
November 27, 2019
I am not Anglican but as a Nazarene ordained minister I find my stream of theology being rooted in John Wesley who was an Anglican minister. That being said there are a few differences in belief and practice. Yet with that disclaimer the catechism of the Anglican Church is a beautiful way to educate new believers.
Often used with children this training educates using question and answers. I didn’t grow up in a church that performed a catechism but had its own flavor of training. But I enjoy this and have read the books of Catechism before.
This would be a great book to study with new believers and those who seek to have a more solid foundation in their beliefs.
This book edits and updates the classic works and is a great educational piece.
I appreciate the statement that more than just h ad knowledge is needed. We need to believe in faith what we learn!
Thanks to the publisher for providing this free ebook for my review. In no way as I told I had to rate this book in any specific way.
Often used with children this training educates using question and answers. I didn’t grow up in a church that performed a catechism but had its own flavor of training. But I enjoy this and have read the books of Catechism before.
This would be a great book to study with new believers and those who seek to have a more solid foundation in their beliefs.
This book edits and updates the classic works and is a great educational piece.
I appreciate the statement that more than just h ad knowledge is needed. We need to believe in faith what we learn!
Thanks to the publisher for providing this free ebook for my review. In no way as I told I had to rate this book in any specific way.
December 4, 2019
Catechism is question and answer formula that is foundational in learning and applying biblical truth. Each question builds to the next question and each answer is supported by multiple scriptures. It is prayerful, worshipful and discipleship based.
The following is an example from the book.
What should you seek in prayer? In prayer, I should seek not only God's provision for my needs but fellowship with God, who made me for fellowship with himself. (Exodus 33:7-11, Psalms 27:4,8; 42:1-2; John 14:18-23; 1 John 1:3)
The next question draws from the answer - How can you have fellowship with God? It is a building block of learning and discovering.
With this particular Catechism there are 3 parts .
Beginning with Christ
Believing in Christ
Belonging to Christ
I have a great appreciation for the Catechism and would strongly recommend it as it gives believers a tool that builds faith.
A Special Thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
The following is an example from the book.
What should you seek in prayer? In prayer, I should seek not only God's provision for my needs but fellowship with God, who made me for fellowship with himself. (Exodus 33:7-11, Psalms 27:4,8; 42:1-2; John 14:18-23; 1 John 1:3)
The next question draws from the answer - How can you have fellowship with God? It is a building block of learning and discovering.
With this particular Catechism there are 3 parts .
Beginning with Christ
Believing in Christ
Belonging to Christ
I have a great appreciation for the Catechism and would strongly recommend it as it gives believers a tool that builds faith.
A Special Thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
October 9, 2020
A quick and accessible introduction to the Christian faith through a Anglican lens. The book uses a question and answer form sequence, primarily focused on The Apostle's Creed, The Lord's Prayer, and The Ten Commandments. Each answer includes references to Scripture, early Christian writings, and The Book of Common Prayer. The book also includes a lengthy appendix with guidelines for teaching and additional creeds. Although a short read, it is a bit dense and is best to read slow and explore supplemental readings. The text does not lean heavily on Anglican distinctives, which can be viewed as both a benefit and drawback. The benefit being that it could easily be used by other sacramental minded Protestants, but the drawback begging the question "Why Anglican?" Overall a strong addition (possible revival) of pocket catechisms, and worth reading to school age children. The Anglican Church provides a free PDF of the text at https://anglicanchurch.net/catechism/.
March 24, 2021
This book is just as the title states: an Anglican catechism. In similar history as other catechsims it is a question and answer book to teach Scriptural truths to both young and old. However, one noticeable difference is the attention to Christ.
Whereas other catechism focus on truths about God, His nature, and then our responses to these truths, this book focuses more on how these questions and answers should point us towards Christ: to both honor Him and be like Him. In this way, the “Christian” part of this book’s title takes on new meaning: Christian = little Christ or Christ-like. For this reason, I appreciate the layout of this catechism with respect to others.
*I received a review copy from Crossway in exchange for my honest assessment.
Whereas other catechism focus on truths about God, His nature, and then our responses to these truths, this book focuses more on how these questions and answers should point us towards Christ: to both honor Him and be like Him. In this way, the “Christian” part of this book’s title takes on new meaning: Christian = little Christ or Christ-like. For this reason, I appreciate the layout of this catechism with respect to others.
*I received a review copy from Crossway in exchange for my honest assessment.
December 19, 2022
Disclaimer: I am a Presbyterian and would lean the way of the early church form of government as the ideal. So while I am not an Anglican myself, I really enjoyed reading this catechism from the Anglican Church.
Most of what I read would be in agreement with the theology of the Reformed churches and it was edifying for me to learn from this simple and straightforward, gospel-centered catechism.
This is a solid book for new believers as well as Christians converting to a "higher" more structured church system where catechesis is important.
Useful for any Reformed believer who wants the concise answers to fundamental Christian questions.
Most of what I read would be in agreement with the theology of the Reformed churches and it was edifying for me to learn from this simple and straightforward, gospel-centered catechism.
This is a solid book for new believers as well as Christians converting to a "higher" more structured church system where catechesis is important.
Useful for any Reformed believer who wants the concise answers to fundamental Christian questions.
November 28, 2024
Written in a question-and-answer format, providing references for every statement primarily but not exclusively to the Scripture, in true Anglican spirit. This is, obviously, not a theology book, so it will not delve into important points of confusion. One such example is the tension between the Fifth Commandment and Luke 14:26. This is particularly interesting given that the book references the Didache, which is known for omitting this commandment precisely for this reason. This is, to my mind, a somewhat subtle point that should only be addressed if the catechumen raises the question. Otherwise, this belongs to a more advanced study.
December 23, 2024
I breezed through this to familiarize myself with the Anglican Catechism. Of course, the real value in a catechism is in regular personal study or catechesis of children / new believers. It's a tool!
To Be A Christian is structured in three movements: the Apostles Creed, the Lords Prayer, and The Ten Commandments. This three fold structure is helpful for distilling and organizing the Christian faith. Three summary questions come to mind: What do we confess to be true? How do we commune with God? How then shall we live?
To Be A Christian is written in plain, modern english. I see it being helpful for catechesis with my children and for personal study.
To Be A Christian is structured in three movements: the Apostles Creed, the Lords Prayer, and The Ten Commandments. This three fold structure is helpful for distilling and organizing the Christian faith. Three summary questions come to mind: What do we confess to be true? How do we commune with God? How then shall we live?
To Be A Christian is written in plain, modern english. I see it being helpful for catechesis with my children and for personal study.
November 3, 2020
This is a really great catechism. I loved its structure - moving from "Beginning with Christ," to "Believing in Christ," to "Belonging to Christ," to "Becoming like Christ." It has a really great emphasis on living the Christian life. Like other reformation catechisms, it focuses on the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments. It is perhaps a bit too long to be useful for memorisation though (368 questions). And it was also disappointingly vague in areas where I would have liked more precision (e.g the doctrines of grace). But it is still a great gift for the church!
Read
February 10, 2026This is not really a holistically “Anglican” catechism (if such a thing is possible) other than some creedal emphasis and prayers from the BCP. I would say this is better read as a catechetical summary of classical/historic Protestantism. It’s a very practical little book, a good beginning, but it also lacks depth in many areas I would deem as essential (especially for new Christians). I would recommend it mostly for a seasoned Protestant who wants to meditate on their core theological views outside of a modern evangelical context and in light of the creeds/tradition.
December 28, 2019
'To Be a Christian' is an Anglican Catechism that is intended to be used by both mature and new Christians in their discipleship journey. In the ancient tradition of Catechisms, it seeks to bring forward the solid apostolic teachings and convictions to new generation of Anglican. The hope is that people who use this document will find their faith and trust in the Lord Christ enriched and solidified.
September 6, 2021
While decidedly An Anglican catechism, it is a great introduction to the Christian faith for new and long time Christians from a variety of Christian traditions. I’d recommend this catechism for adolescent children and new believers to help learn the “language” of the Church. I really enjoyed the way it expounded upon the Apostle’s creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments which helps display the historical, creedal, and ecumenical shape of this catechism.
read-in-part
January 4, 2023Skimmed a little and read the sections on the Apostles' Creed, Lord's Prayer, and commandments in my quest to read a large quantity of catechisms.
Far superior to the BCP catechism in many ways, from its clear acknowledgement of original sin to its correct description of the Apocrypha. A good amount of Scriptural citation. I can also definitely tell why some of my Anglican friends are theocratic.
Read online here: https://anglicanchurch.net/wp-content...
Far superior to the BCP catechism in many ways, from its clear acknowledgement of original sin to its correct description of the Apocrypha. A good amount of Scriptural citation. I can also definitely tell why some of my Anglican friends are theocratic.
Read online here: https://anglicanchurch.net/wp-content...
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