What are catechisms and why do Christians still need them?

This episode of the Faith & Clarity Podcast features Thomas West and Trevin Wax in a conversation about an ancient but timely tool for discipleship—the catechism. Their new resource, The Gospel Way Catechism: 50 Truths That Take On the Word, is designed to help Christians push back against the secular and individualistic stories of our age with the truth of God’s word.

The discussion explores how catechisms can guide both new and mature believers, shape family life and community, and build a deep and resilient Christian identity. Listeners will also hear practical ways to bring this practice into daily discipleship and spiritual formation.

At its heart, this is a conversation about grounding faith, strengthening hearts, and learning to live with confidence in God’s story—more by faith, and less by fear.

Topics

• (00:23): Understanding the catechism
• (01:39): Meet the guests: Thomas West and Trevin Wax
• (04:05): Cultural narratives and their impact
• (08:12): Defining individualism and secularism
• (13:04): The role and history of catechisms
• (19:25): Creating The Gospel Way Catechism
• (22:21): Addressing identity in today's world
• (27:54): Practical Christianity in Ephesians
• (30:34): The power of catechisms
• (38:32): Evangelical and liturgical tools
• (43:05): Guarding against mere knowledge
• (48:07): Confronting secular narratives
• (51:02): Conclusion and final thoughts

Resources

• Ask Us Anything: info@denisonforum.org
• How has Denison Forum impacted your faith?
• The Gospel Way Catechism
• The Gospel Way Catechism: 50 Truths That Take On the Word
• Trevin Wax Social Media
• Blog
• X: @trevinwax
• Instagram: @trevinwax
• Facebook: @trevinwax
• Thomas West Social Media
• Substack: @westswords
• https://x.com/tweetingthomas_
• Instagram: @thomaswest 
• Facebook: @thomasandrewwest

About Trevin Wax

Trevin Wax is vice president of research and resource development at the North American Mission Board and a visiting professor at Cedarville University. A former missionary to Romania, Trevin is a regular columnist at The Gospel Coalition and has lectured on Christianity and culture at Oxford University. His new book is The Gospel Way Catechism. 

About Thomas West

Thomas West is the pastor of Nashville First Baptist Church and the founder and former pastor of Redeemer Queen’s Park in London, England. A two-time graduate of Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, Thomas’s ministry and research are driven by exploring the intersection of theology, culture, and mission in Western culture. His new book is The Gospel Way Catechism.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Mark Turman, DMin, serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity Podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for 35 years, including 25 years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas.

Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, the Faith & Clarity Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.