Jacob, thank you for including Luther’s Small Catechism in your listing of Great Books. If I may, I’d recommend Luther’s Large Catechism as well. The first was written for children and the second for pastors and fathers (and mothers) to help them teach their children.
If I may, I’d like to address John’s question regarding tweener Catholics. I do not think you will find any major differences in the Small Catechism. Luther differed (sometimes using strong language) with Roman Catholic teachings first from within, then from without. He sought to reform the Church, not start a new church. Because the Small Catechism is geared towards children, none of his critiques are present. A few points.
1. Luther rejected purgatory c. 1520’s, definitely by the time he wrote the Small Catechism.
2. Luther’s teaching on baptism and confession, while very similar to Roman Catholicism, differs somewhat because of the doctrine of justification. Baptism, once begun, continues throughout one’s life. Confession is basically living out one’s baptism.
3. Luther only recognized baptism and the Lord’s Supper as sacraments b/c they are instituted by God, forgive sins (received by faith), and have a physical ‘sign’. Christ’s Body and Blood are given “in, with, and under” the bread and wine. This is close to Roman Catholic transubstantiation, though Luther rejected it as trying too hard to answer a mystery. Luther and his Roman Catholic opponents defined “sacrament” differently. For example, Luther rejected marriage as a sacrament primarily b/c God does not forgive sins through marriage. Nevertheless, Luther did not oppose marriage.
This has gotten far longer than I planned (and more information than you probably wanted). Blessed evening!
Thanks Justin! I appreciate the comment and the clarity you’re able to offer that I didn’t have. I’ll probably get around to adding the Large catechism eventually. I need to add the Larger catechism for Westminster as well.
Do you have any sense of whether this is a "safe" text to use with tweener Catholics? I like the clarity, orthodoxy, and vigor of it, but wonder if there are subtle departures from Catholic dogma not visible to my eye.
Hi John, I haven’t studied this catechism in great depth. I suspect that there are some important departures from the Roman Catholic perspective in regard to grace, sacraments, offices, and the altar. But, like I said, I am only familiar with this (and the Roman Catholic Catechism) in a superficial way at this point.
Jacob, thank you for including Luther’s Small Catechism in your listing of Great Books. If I may, I’d recommend Luther’s Large Catechism as well. The first was written for children and the second for pastors and fathers (and mothers) to help them teach their children.
If I may, I’d like to address John’s question regarding tweener Catholics. I do not think you will find any major differences in the Small Catechism. Luther differed (sometimes using strong language) with Roman Catholic teachings first from within, then from without. He sought to reform the Church, not start a new church. Because the Small Catechism is geared towards children, none of his critiques are present. A few points.
1. Luther rejected purgatory c. 1520’s, definitely by the time he wrote the Small Catechism.
2. Luther’s teaching on baptism and confession, while very similar to Roman Catholicism, differs somewhat because of the doctrine of justification. Baptism, once begun, continues throughout one’s life. Confession is basically living out one’s baptism.
3. Luther only recognized baptism and the Lord’s Supper as sacraments b/c they are instituted by God, forgive sins (received by faith), and have a physical ‘sign’. Christ’s Body and Blood are given “in, with, and under” the bread and wine. This is close to Roman Catholic transubstantiation, though Luther rejected it as trying too hard to answer a mystery. Luther and his Roman Catholic opponents defined “sacrament” differently. For example, Luther rejected marriage as a sacrament primarily b/c God does not forgive sins through marriage. Nevertheless, Luther did not oppose marriage.
This has gotten far longer than I planned (and more information than you probably wanted). Blessed evening!
Justin Kane, Rev.
Thanks Justin! I appreciate the comment and the clarity you’re able to offer that I didn’t have. I’ll probably get around to adding the Large catechism eventually. I need to add the Larger catechism for Westminster as well.
Do you have any sense of whether this is a "safe" text to use with tweener Catholics? I like the clarity, orthodoxy, and vigor of it, but wonder if there are subtle departures from Catholic dogma not visible to my eye.
Hi John, I haven’t studied this catechism in great depth. I suspect that there are some important departures from the Roman Catholic perspective in regard to grace, sacraments, offices, and the altar. But, like I said, I am only familiar with this (and the Roman Catholic Catechism) in a superficial way at this point.