History of Catechisms
A catechism is a brief summary of the basic principles of Christianity in question-and-answer form. The Christian church has historically used catechisms to teach doctrine. The first such manual was compiled by the English scholar Alcuin in the 8th century and was followed in the next 100 years by many others.
At an early period in the history of the Reformation, catechisms became important because of Martin Luther's insistence on the religious instruction of children. After Luther published his primer of religion, A Brief Explanation of the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer (1520), several catechisms were prepared by leading Protestant theologians.
The Reformed churches published several catechisms. The most noteworthy are the Geneva and Heidelberg catechisms. The Geneva Catechisms, Larger and Smaller, were the work of the French Protestant theologian John Calvin. The Smaller was published in French in 1536; the Larger appeared in French in 1541 or 1542, was translated into various languages, and became an acknowledged standard of the Reformed churches.
The Heidelberg, or Palatinate, Catechism was compiled in Heidelberg by the German theologians Caspar Olevianus and Zacharias Ursinus, at the request of the Elector Frederick III of the Palatinate. It was published in 1563 and has been translated into all the languages of Europe. It is the standard of the Dutch and German Reformed churches of America.
The Larger and Shorter Catechisms, which, with the Westminster Confession of Faith, are the standard catechisms of the Presbyterian churches throughout the countries of the former British Empire and the United States, were compiled by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster (1645-52). In July 1648, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland adopted both the Larger and Shorter Catechisms.
The Evangelical Reformed Fellowship incorporates elements of the Geneva, Westminster, and Heidelberg Catechisms in this concise format designed to offer 52 core biblical doctrines for weekly public worship and for private devotions throughout the week. Children, as well as adults, are encouraged to study, mediate upon, and memorize the questions and answers, as well as the supporting Scripture passages.
At an early period in the history of the Reformation, catechisms became important because of Martin Luther's insistence on the religious instruction of children. After Luther published his primer of religion, A Brief Explanation of the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer (1520), several catechisms were prepared by leading Protestant theologians.
The Reformed churches published several catechisms. The most noteworthy are the Geneva and Heidelberg catechisms. The Geneva Catechisms, Larger and Smaller, were the work of the French Protestant theologian John Calvin. The Smaller was published in French in 1536; the Larger appeared in French in 1541 or 1542, was translated into various languages, and became an acknowledged standard of the Reformed churches.
The Heidelberg, or Palatinate, Catechism was compiled in Heidelberg by the German theologians Caspar Olevianus and Zacharias Ursinus, at the request of the Elector Frederick III of the Palatinate. It was published in 1563 and has been translated into all the languages of Europe. It is the standard of the Dutch and German Reformed churches of America.
The Larger and Shorter Catechisms, which, with the Westminster Confession of Faith, are the standard catechisms of the Presbyterian churches throughout the countries of the former British Empire and the United States, were compiled by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster (1645-52). In July 1648, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland adopted both the Larger and Shorter Catechisms.
The Evangelical Reformed Fellowship incorporates elements of the Geneva, Westminster, and Heidelberg Catechisms in this concise format designed to offer 52 core biblical doctrines for weekly public worship and for private devotions throughout the week. Children, as well as adults, are encouraged to study, mediate upon, and memorize the questions and answers, as well as the supporting Scripture passages.
