Martin Luther’s Small Catechism

Lesson 6: The Lord’s Prayer in Martin Luther’s Small Catechism

Lesson 6: The Lord’s Prayer in Martin Luther’s Small Catechism

I am going to examine the primary thoughts that appear throughout Luther’s explanation. You can study his treatment of particular petitions here. Perhaps the first thing that jumps out is Luther’s use of justification by grace through faith alone. His treatment of every petition assumes Jesus’ declaration that God knows our needs before we ask […]

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Lesson 4: The Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed in Martin Luther’s Small Catechism

Lesson 4: The Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed in Martin Luther’s Small Catechism

Luther’s explanation is a beautiful short statement of the Gospel. He conveys the unbounded joy associated with this good news by placing it in the context of an individual hearing it for the first time. All seems to have been done “for me.” There is pure relief that everything is going to be all right. […]

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Lesson 3: The First Article of the Apostles’ Creed in Martin Luther’s Small Catechism

Lesson 3: The First Article of the Apostles’ Creed in Martin Luther’s Small Catechism

Luther’s explanation of the Creed’s first article is another classic. He uses everyday language to interpret creation as God’s ongoing action to provide for all our needs, protect us from all dangers, and preserve us through all changes. This is far from the deism most of our contemporaries associate with creation in which God sets […]

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Lesson 2: The Ten Commandments in Luther’s Small Catechism

Lesson 2: The Ten Commandments in Luther’s Small Catechism

I do not intend to examine every part of the catechism. You can do that yourself here. Instead, I shall highlight some of the more important parts of Luther’s explanations, especially emphasizing some of his distinctive insights. He numbered the commandments just as he was taught in the Catholic Church. The first three included those […]

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Lesson 1: The First Commandment in Luther’s Small Catechism

Lesson 1: The First Commandment in Luther’s Small Catechism

Being that this is the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s posting the 95 Theses Against Indulgences, I plan to offer two series on the reformer this fall. The second will expand on a lecture I am giving at La Roche College on November 1, 2017. It suggests that the Lutheran and Roman Catholic narratives these […]

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