HenryWSC 47

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 47

Show Catechism Question

Is it a great sin to deny the being of God? Yes: The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God,
Ps. 14:1
. Or to deny his omniscience? Yes: they say, The Lord shall not see,
Ps. 94:7
. Or to deny his justice? Yes: He hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it,
Ps. 10:13
. Or his holiness? Yes: Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself,
Ps. 1:21
. Or his goodness? Yes: I knew thee to be a hard man,
Matt. 25:24
. Or his faithfulness? Yes: Where is the promise of his coming?
2 Pet. 3:4
. Is it a sin to question God’s providence? Yes: is the Lord among us? Or is he not?
Ex. 17:7
. Or to question his power? Yes: Can God furnish a table in the wilderness,
Ps. 78:19
. And is there such a thing as practical atheism? Yes: They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him,
Titus 1:16
.
Is it a great sin to be ignorant of God? Yes: Some have not the knowledge of God; I speak it to your shame,
1 Cor. 15:34
. Is it a damning sin? Yes: He shall take vengeance on them that know not God,
2 Thess. 1:8
. Is it the cause of all other sins? Yes: There is neither truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God, in the land,
Hos. 4:1
. Is it a great sin to forget God? Yes: Thou hast forgotten the God that formed thee,
Deut. 32:18
. And to cast off the fear of him? Yes: There is no fear of God before his eyes,
Ps. 36:1
. And to live without prayer? Yes: Thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob,
Isa. 43:22
And not to glorify him? Yes: The God in whose hand thy breath is, hast thou not glorified,
Dan. 5:23
.
Is all distrust of God a sin? Yes: the evil heart of unbelief departs from the living God,
Heb. 3:12
. And tempting God? Yes: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God,
Matt. 4:7
. And all the coldness of our love to him? Yes: But their heart is far from me,
Matt. 15:8
. Does this commandment forbid all ungodliness? Yes: for the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness,
Rom. 1:18
. And all idolatry? Yes: Little children, keep yourselves from idols,
1 John 5:21
.
Had the Gentiles other gods besides the true God? Yes: they had gods many, and lords manly,
1 Cor. 8:5
. And were those gods devils? Yes: they sacrificed to devils and not to God, l Cor. 10:20. May we have communion with them? No: I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils,
1 Cor. 10:20
. Have those fellowship with them who consult with witches? Yes: Is it because there is not a God in Israel. that thou goest to inquire of Beelzebub the god of Ekron,
2 Kings 1:3
. Did the Gentiles multiply their gods? Yes: According to the number of thy cities are thy gods,
Jer. 2:28
. Were they gods of their own making? Yes: And they that make them are like unto them,
Ps. 115:8
. Was not that a great affront to the living God? Yes: They changed the truth of God into a lie,
Rom. 1:25
.
Is there not such a thing as spiritual idolatry? Yes: These men have set their idols in their hearts,
Ezek. 14:4
. Is it idolatry to make a god of our appetites? Yes: Whose god is their belly,
Phil. 3:19
. Or a god of our money? Yes: for covetousness is idolatry,
Col. 3:5
. May we give that respect to any creature which is due to God alone? No: for his glory he will not give to another,
Isa. 42:8
. Is it therefore a sin to love them more than God? Yes: He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me,
Matt. 10:37
. And to trust in them? Yes: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man,
Jer. 17:5
. Is this spiritual adultery? Yes: She went after her lovers, and forgot me, saith the Lord,
Hos. 2:13
.
HenryWSC 47