Westminster Shorter Catechism

Questions 1 & 2 from the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

What is the chief end of man?

Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?

The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

I have recently been asked to contribute to a project involving the Westminster Larger Catechism. Having sworn a blood oath to secrecy, I can’t tell you any more at this time. However, it reminded me of a previous challenge made by my Canadian friend, Daniel, eh? that I answered by versifying part of the Shorter Catechism. So, for your edification (and to answer the question, “Why don’t most people appreciate poetry?”), I give you

Questions 1–17 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism in thirteen haikus:

The chief end of man
Glorify God forever
Pleasure without end

Word of God contained
In Old and New Testaments
Tells how that is done

God is a spirit
Entirely unlimited
In ev’ry aspect

But one God is he
Three persons distinct yet one
A solo trio

The decretive Word
Of his sov’reign counsel
Ordains all that is

His creative hand
Made all that is from nothing
In six days all good

Man male and female
To them he gave dominion
In his image made

Gracious providence
Wise preserving governing
To his creatures giv’n

A covenant made
A tree, a command, a promise
Alternative: death

Serpentine deceit
Nonconformity to law
Transgression of law

They ate of the fruit
God had strictly forbade them
Covenant broken

The covenant made
For Adam’s posterity
In Adam all died

Adam’s guilt shared
All corrupted, all defiled
Sin and misery

Feel free to contribute your own theological verse. It needn’t be based on any confessional statement, and you don’t have to limit yourself to haiku. Any short form will do (I’m especially fond of limericks).