Martin Luther's Catechisms: Forming the Faith

Martin Luther's catechisms 3 the Small Catechism in 1528-29, and the Large Catechism in spring 1529 responded in part to "the deplorable, wretched deprivation that I recently encountered while I was a visitor" to rural Saxon congregations. The former was for laity, the latter an elaboration largely for the education of clergy, with Luther excoriating "their pure laziness and concern for their bellies."

Reformation scholar Timothy Wengert has studied Luther's catechisms for the light they she...