Though Reformation Day is October 31, we will observe it in worship this Sunday, October 25. This year marks the 503rd anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Meant to spark a discussion, Luther's theses listed his criticisms and desire for reform of the Roman Catholic Church, in which he served as a monk and university professor.
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| Theses doors at the Castle Church, Lutherstadt-Wittenberg |
Luther was a prolific writer - the English version of "Luther's Works" spans 54 volumes - but one of his most enduring works is also, perhaps, the simplest: the Small Catechism.
Catechisms, which provided instruction for the faithful about the teachings of the church, were not new in Luther's day. Luther simply offered his own explanations, rooted in his understanding of theology. Also notable was his re-ordering of the included pieces to move from law to gospel.
His motivation for writing and compiling the Small Catechism came after visiting rural congregations in Saxony. He described it this way in the preface: "Dear God, what misery I beheld! The ordinary person, especially in the villages, knows absolutely nothing about the Christian faith, and unfortunately many pastors are completely unskilled and incompetent teachers." Luther was never one to mince words!
What resulted was a small booklet, intended for the head of household to teach the family, which posed a simple question: "What does this mean?" It included the text and Luther's brief explanations for the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, the Sacrament of the Altar, and morning, evening, and mealtime blessings.
It's amazing how Luther's concise explanations are still relevant for our understanding of our Lutheran faith, even 500 years later. His explanations, like his theology, are rooted in God's grace, and invite us into a faith that emphasizes God's work in us, through the Holy Spirit.
Learning the catechism is a central focus of most Confirmation programs, but the messages present in this little text are a gift to all of us. Do you have a favorite part of the Small Catechism? (For my favorite part, check out the explanation of the third article of the Creed!)
Bonus resources:
- Did you know there's a free Small Catechism app for your smartphone or iPad? Download for Android or iOS.
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