The Catechism Isn't Just For Fun

Yes, it's true.  There's actually a purpose to reading and learning your catechism.

I will often hear parents lament how their children grew up and left the Lutheran Church.  Some seek a more entertainment driven worship, others desire a spiritual connection of the emotions or a dramatic preacher or delightful liturgical dancers, and still others simply find their own form of “spirituality” in music, books, and watching television.  

The Lutheran parents, however, often know that something isn’t quite right about that denomination or that way of living, but feel powerless to say otherwise. 

So, aside from the fact that one has to get up the nerve to engage in a controversial discussion (something we are often afraid of doing), here’s some advice from Luther himself: just say “That doesn’t agree with my catechism!”

“For where the Christian is diligent, possessing nothing more than the catechism, the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s prayer, and the words of our Lord about baptism and the Sacrament of the Altar, he could defend himself very nicely with them and hold his own against all heresies.  No better word or doctrine will arise than what has been summed up in the catechism from Holy Scripture. Therefore, we ought faithfully cling to it so that when a heretic or fanatic appears with his contrary teaching, we can counter it and say that it is not true teaching, for it is not in harmony with my catechism.”

Martin Luther House Postil for the Eighth Sunday After Trinity, 1533

It may be obvious, but this will require you to read your catechism diligently, daily holding firm to the Word of God proclaimed therein, and continually arming yourself against all heretics, fanatics, and enthusiasts who come to you in sheep’s clothing.

“Let all Christians drill themselves in the catechism daily, and constantly put it into practice, guarding themselves with the greatest care and diligence against the poisonous infection of such security or arrogance.”

Preface the Large Catechism