Understanding the Importance of Catechism and Scripture
Explore the origins and significance of catechism, its role in Christian instruction, and the power of meditating on God's Word as highlighted by Luther. Discover why studying catechism and Scripture is crucial for spiritual growth and defense against evil forces.
Uploaded on | 0 Views
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
WHAT IS THE CATECHISM? WHY SHOULD WE STUDY IT? WHAT ABOUT SCRIPTURE?
COMES FROM THE GREEK, KATECHO It means to sound again (echo) This idea was already used by Paul to denote Christian instruction By the second century, it had come to designate the pre-baptismal instruction of catechumens CATECHISM Augustine first used the noun catechismus to denote basic Christian instruction In the Middle Ages the church often narrowed this instruction to the Decalogue, the Apostles Creed, and the Lord s Prayer Luther used the word in this way throughout his life
NOTHING IS SO POWERFULLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST THE DEVIL, THE WORLD, THE FLESH, AND ALL EVIL THOUGHTS AS TO OCCUPY ONE S SELF WITH GOD S WORD, TO SPEAK ABOUT IT AND MEDITATE UPON IT, IN THE WAY THAT PSALM 1:2 CALLS THOSE BLESSED WHO MEDITATE ON GOD S LAW DAY AND NIGHT. Luther, in his Preface to the Large Catechism
WHY? For God solemnly enjoins us in Deut 6:7-8 that we should meditate on his precepts while sitting, walking, standing, lying down and rising, and should keep them as an ever- present emblem and sign before our eyes and on our hands. God certainly does not require and command this solemnly without reason. He knows our danger and need; he knows the constant and furious attacks and assaults of the devil. Therefore, he wishes to warn, equip, and protect us against them with good armor against their flaming arrows, and with a good antidote against their evil infection and poison. Luther s Preface to LC 14
WHY? I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Ps 119:11 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Ps 119:16 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart Ps 119:34
THE BOOK OF CONCORD It is important to keep in mind, that as confessional Lutherans, we believe that it is the clear exposition of Holy Scripture. This does not mean that we are saying in any way that our doctrine is above scripture, but that it is rightly derived from the scripture. Further we have been blessed to have these writings that help us to believe, teach, and confess properly what it is we believe and why. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
WHY THE LARGE CATECHISM Written if 1529, a few months before the publication of the Small Catechism Arose out of the need for instruction of the simple, often poorly trained clergy in the basics of faith In 1527, the elector of Saxony authorized an official visitation of churches in his territories. The team of visitors, which consisted of tow representatives from the court and two from the university (one from law school and one theologian), was charged with overseeing the financial and physical needs of the parishes clergy and with investigating the state of instruction there. Philip Melanchton drew up guidelines in Latin for the examination of pastors and preachers theology, called the Visitation Articles. A team of theologians, including Melanchton, Luther, and his pastor, John Bugenhagen, translated the document into German and refined it, publishing it in 1528. from Editors Introduction to the Large Catechism, The Book of Concord, Kolb/ Wingert, Fortress Press, Minneapolis 2000
WHY THE LARGE CATECHISM (CONTD) This document was not without opposition. John Agricola attacked the Latin version and its author, Melanchton. It was a doctrinal dispute, suffice it to say that Luther provided compromise language. This all had to do with how we fear and love God, the proper distinction of law and gospel and so on. It was in 1528 that Luther began writing his own catechisms. Luther s Large Catechism appeared in mid-April 1529. It continued to go through revisions for the next few years The Book of Concord of 1580 includes the catechisms of Luther The catechisms represented a Bible for the laity because they dealt with material necessary for each Christian to know.
WHATS INCLUDED IN THE LARGE CATECHISM? Preface First: Commandments of God Second: The Chief Articles of our Faith Third: The Prayer, or Our Father, Which Christ Taught Concerning Baptism Concerning the Sacrament
IF WE WERE TO BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES, HOW MANY OF US REALLY KNOW THE TEACHINGS OF THE BOOK OF CONCORD, LET ALONE THE LARGE CATECHISM? IF SOMEONE WERE TO ASK WHAT YOU WHAT LUTHERANS BELIEVE, HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?
