Johann Friedrich Adolf Krug's edition of Martin Luther's Small Catechism offers a concise and accessible guide to the basics of Christian theology and practice. An essential resource for students of religion and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Christianity. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Martin Luther had a way with words and an eye toward instruction as he wrote the Small Catechism. Written to awaken and affirm faith as well as provide a helpful tool for households and congregations, the Small Catechism delivers the precise and profound words that have become the heart of Lutheran teaching about the Christian faith. As you will see in the story of the Small Catechism, Luther saw firsthand how far removed the gospel was from the people's experience. So, he set about crafting a simple Q & A on the basics of God's word, aimed at bringing the Holy Spirit into the hearts of sixteenth-century readers, readers ever since, and into your heart too.

Timothy J. Wengert provides detailed background into the development of Luther's popular Small Catechism, which began with Luther's early sermon series on the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Apostles' Creed. Luther wrote his catechism because many requested he do so but also as a response to his 1528 visitation of parishes in Saxony and Meissen, where he discovered an abysmal level of Christian instruction. Luther's Small Catechism explains the basics of Christian faith in a way resonant with his understanding of justification by faith, which also implied, for Luther, the proper distinction between law and gospel. This is applied to his explanations of the parts of the Catechism. Wengert's translation also includes Luther's own preface to the 1531 edition, the Sacrament of Baptism, Sacrament of the Altar, instructions to the head of the household, Household Chart of Bible Passages, Marriage Booklet for Pastors, and Baptismal Booklet. This volume is excerpted from The Annotated Luther series, volume 4 (Pastoral Writings). Each volume and selection in the series contains new introductions, extensive annotations, illustrations, and notes to help shed light on Luther's context and to interpret his writings for today.

An easy-to-use resource for teaching the faith in a simple way. Colorful icons and illustrations guide children through each tenet of faith as encouraged in Luther's Small Catechism. Older elementary-aged students will be able to read and study concepts from the 2017 Explanation of the catechism in developmentally appropriate terms and in a way they understand.

In the Large Catechism Luther set out to inculcate the centrality of the Gospel. Whether Luther is dealing with the Ten Commandments or the Lord's Supper, the dynamic of the Word of God as Gospel provides the cutting edge for what he says. The Large Catechism is a primary source for an understanding of the Christian ethos in action in Reformation Christianity.

To pray the Catechism is to learn how to speak to God the Father in the name of the Son through the Holy Spirit. Praying Luthers Small Catechism moves sequentially through the Six Chief Parts of Christian Doctrine with prayers developed out of the catechetical material.