Welcome to the first posting of The Captain Headknowledge Theological and Doxological Meditations! The format is very simple: Featuring one of the 107 questions from the Westminster Shorter Catechism (with Scripture Proofs), accompanied by a relevant psalm, hymn or spiritual song from “The Trinity Hymnal,” simply read, pray, examine yourself, search the Scriptures, pray some more and your on the road to good, old fashioned, Reformed catechesis!
We may have it all over past generations when it comes to publishing information, but due to information’s modern easy accessibility, we’re as lazy as all get out when it comes to personally appropriating the information. This is especially true, and especially dangerous, when it comes to spiritual “information”: I can read it, put it on my shelf, refer to it when needed, post it for the benefit of others, but unless I stop what I’m doing, pay attention to what I’m reading, and personally apply it by finding out what is it in me that needs to change in order for God to accomplish his will for my life (sanctification, conformity to the image of his Son) with this information, then it will “profit me nothing,” to borrow a phrase from the Apostle Paul. In this regard, past generations are our betters. We could afford to go back to basics by renewing our minds (Rom. 12:1,2) the way our blessed forefathers did, and a major way this took place was by means of catechisms such as the one I feature, and theologically significant psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. It is often repeated that the laity learns most of its theology from church music, which argues all the more for carefully crafted, biblically and theologically rich church music.
Perhaps in a later post I will introduce you to the Westminster Standards, from which our featured catechism is derived, but for now, with no further ado, I give you “The Captain Headknowledge Weekly Devotional & Theological Meditations.”

The Chief End of Man

Q. What is the chief end of man?

A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31; Rom. 11:36),
and to enjoy him forever (Ps. 73:25-28).

In Sweet Communion, Lord, with Thee. (click title to play)
#657, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)

In sweet communion, Lord, with thee
I constantly abide;
my hand thou holdest in thine own
to keep me near thy side.

Thy counsel through my earthly way
shall guide me and control,
and then to glory afterward
thou wilt receive my soul.

Whom have I, Lord, in heav’n but thee,
to whom my thoughts aspire?
And, having thee, on eart is naught
that I can yet desire.

Though flesh and heart should faint and fail,
the Lord will ever be
the strength and portion of my heart,
my God eternally.

To live apart from God is death,
’tis good his face to seek;
my refuge is the living God,
his praise I long to speak.

AMEN