The Small Catechism

In the preface to Luther's Small Catechism, he writes (very colorfully) why it is necessary for him to write the Catechism. 

The deplorable, miserable condition which I discovered lately when I, too, was a visitor, has forced and urged me to prepare [publish] this Catechism, or Christian doctrine, in this small, plain, simple form. Mercy! Good God! what manifold misery I beheld! The common people, especially in the villages, have no knowledge whatever of Christian doctrine, and, alas! many pastors are altogether incapable and incompetent to teach [so much so, that one is ashamed to speak of it]. Nevertheless, all maintain that they are Christians, have been baptized and receive the [common] holy Sacraments. Yet they [do not understand and] cannot [even] recite either the Lord's Prayer, or the Creed, or the Ten Commandments; they live like dumb brutes and irrational hogs; and yet, now that the Gospel has come, they have nicely learned to abuse all liberty like experts. (http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

 

For the longest of time, Christian leaders have sought guidance as how to teach the basics of the Christian Faith.  No better resource can be found outside of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.  “In the preface to his 1526 revision of the liturgy, the Deutsche Messe, Luther appealed to his fellow pastors and preachers to write instruction booklets and suggested they use his Personal Prayer Book as the basis of their work. Already in 1525 pressure on the Wittenberg theologians to produce aids for basic Christian instruction were mounting.” [1] Luther “began to write the Small Catechism in late 1528 or early 1529. The first three parts were published on separate broadsheets in January 1529, each addressed to the heads of the household. After a serious illness curtailed his activities, he completed the project in the spring with explanations of the sacraments and brief orders for household prayers.” [2]  Luther was the first church leader in about 1500 years to have children of his own.  Many of these great theologians never had to explain basic Christian teachings to a 3 year old, but Luther found himself doing that very thing at home.  “Luther’s Small Catechism poses one simple question, Was ist das? (What is this?), and only occasionally poses other questions (How does this happen? What does this mean? What does this signify?). The simple paraphrase of catechetical texts elicited by that question is matched by its insistence on moving from law (Ten Commandments) to gospel (Creed and Lord’s Prayer) and by an expansion of material found in traditional catechisms to include explanations of holy baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Its prayers for mealtimes, morning, and bedtime come from traditional sources.[3] 

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The Small Catechism remains an important teaching tool for Lutherans today.  However, often it is relegated to teaching Middle Schoolers during confirmation.  While it is a good resource for anyone learning the basics of the Chrisitan faith, it is also very good for people of all ages (adults too) to review as well.  In 2024 during our Wednesdays in Lent series, we opened up the Catechism and explored its mysteries.  We have pulled together some resources for you to aid you in your study of Luther’s iconic book.