I stumbled across a worthwhile essay today while surfing Google Scholar that includes some thoughts about catechism of the young and the unlearned from the vantage point of Martin Luther. Luther considered the practice of catechism essential and wrote/compiled a couple himself: the Small Catechism and the Large Catechism. Among other things, Luther’s catechisms are somewhat unique because of the high priority given to the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments. But I digress. Here are some of the more pertinent quotes from the essay…
“[Verbiage elucidating a strong expression of shock/dismay/disdain typical of Luther], what wretchedness I beheld! The common people, especially those who live in the country, have no knowledge whatever of Christian teaching, and unfortunately many pastors are quite incompetent and unfitted for teaching. Although the people are supposed to be Christians, are baptized, and receive the holy sacrament, they do not know the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, or the Ten Commandments; they live as if they were pigs and irrational beasts.”
“It is the custom, and the time of the Catechism sermons is at hand. I admonish you to give these eight days to your Lord and permit your household and children to attend, and you yourself may also come and profit by this instruction. No one knows as much as he ought to know. For I myself am constrained to drill it every day. You know that we did not have it under the Papacy. Buy while the market is at the door; some day you will behold the fruit.”
“Beware lest you become presumptuous, as though, because you have heard it often, you know enough of the Catechism. For this knowledge ever desires us to be its students. We shall never finish learning it, since it does not consist in speech, but in life. For I also, Dr. Martin, doctor and preacher, am compelled day by day to pray and to recite the words of the Decalog [the Ten Commandments], the Symbol, and the Lord’s Prayer as children are wont to do. Hence you need not be ashamed; for much fruit will result.”
“Think not ye housefathers that you are freed from the care of your household when you say: ‘oh, if they are unwilling to go (to catechism instruction), why should I force them? I am not in need of it.’ You have been appointed their bishop and house-pastor; beware lest you neglect your duty toward them!”
Download the entire essay (100kb PDF)
Baptist Disclaimer: the essay is written from a Lutheran perspective (duh) so make sure you read discerningly.
NOTE: In reading Luther’s evaluation of his Christian culture it sure seems as if things ain’t changed too much.