Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism Explained in Questions and Answers 1 Also Available from LutheranLibrary.org A Short Exposition of Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism: 1905 Schwan Edition by Heinrich Schwan. Questions and Answers to the Six Parts of the Small Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther by William Loehe. Luther’s Two Catechisms Explained By Himself translated by John Lenker. 2 About The Lutheran Library The Lutheran Library is a non-profit publisher of good Christian books. All are available in a variety of formats for use by anyone for free or at very little cost. There are never any licensing fees. We are Bible believing Christians who subscribe wholeheartedly to the Augsburg Confession as an accurate summary of Scripture, the chief article of which is Justification by Faith. Our purpose is to make available solid and encouraging material to strengthen believers in Christ. Prayers are requested for the next generation, that the Lord will plant in them a love of the truth, such that the hard-learned lessons of the past will not be forgotten. Please let others know of these books and this completely volunteer endeavor. May God bless you and keep you, help you, defend you, and lead you to know the depths of His kindness and love. 3 Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism Explained in Questions and Answers For Schools and Families By J. C. Dietrich With additions from the Dresden Catechism and the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Church, and with additional proof passages from the Holy Scriptures. Translated from the German Edition published by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, Etc. ST. LOUIS, MO. CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE © 1902 / 2021 (CC BY 4.0) LutheranLibrary.org 4 Contents Preface by Lutheran Librarian Preface Introduction by Dr. Gregory L. Jackson Enchiridion. The Small Catechism Of Dr. Martin Luther Christian Questions With Their Answers, Drawn Up By Dr. Martin Luther For Those Who Intend To Go To The Sacrament. Brief Explanation of the Doctrines of the Catechism By Dr. John Conrad Dietrich. Introductory Questions. Part 1. The Holy Ten Commandments. Of The First Table Of The Holy Ten Commandments. Of The First Commandment. Of The Second Commandment. Of The Third Commandment. Of The Second Table Of The Holy Ten Commandments. Of The Fourth Commandment. Of The Fifth Commandment. Of The Sixth Commandment. Of The Seventh Commandment. Of The Eighth Commandment. Of The Ninth Commandment. Of The Tenth Commandment. Of The Fulfillment Of The Law. Of The Use Of The Law. Of Sin. Of Repentance. Of Good Works. Part 2. The Three Articles of the Holy Christian Faith. Part 3. The Lord’s Prayer. Part 4. Holy Baptism. 5 Part 5. The Office Of The Keys And Confession. Part 6. The Lord’s Supper. Appendix 1. Of The Holy Scriptures. Appendix 2. Of The Symbolical Books Of The Evangelical Lutheran Church. Copyright Notice How Can You Find Peace With God? Benediction Basic Biblical Christianity | Books to Download Essential Theology | Books to Download Devotional Classics | Books to Download 6 Preface by Lutheran Librarian In republishing this book, we seek to introduce this author to a new generation of those seeking authentic spirituality. The Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry finds, restores and republishes good, readable books from Lutheran authors and those of other sound Christian traditions. All titles are available at little to no cost in proofread and freshly typeset editions. Many free e-books are available at our website LutheranLibrary.org. Please enjoy this book and let others know about this completely volunteer service to God’s people. May the Lord bless you and bring you peace. A Note about Typos [Typographical Errors]: Over time we are revising the books to make them better and better. If you would like to send the errors you come across to us, we’ll make sure they are corrected. 7 Preface In this little book the reader will find, first of all, the Small Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther without alteration. This is followed by the shorter explanation of this Catechism, in questions and answers, by Dr. Conrad Dietrich, formerly Pastor, Superintendent, and Director of the Gymnasium in Ulm, Wuertemberg, born Jan. 9, 1575, in Gemuende, Hesse Cassel, died at Ulm, March 22, 1639. But as in this explanation many questions with their answers were wanting, which are needed in a Catechism with explanations in these days, and as, furthermore, passages of Scripture as proof texts were furnished too sparingly, the questions and answers were increased and supplied, wherever it ways deemed necessary, and the requisite number of texts were added. The principle was observed that in this public manual of doctrine nothing but that which is old and tried should be admitted, and therefore no newly prepared additions were made, but these were drawn from the sources mentioned in the title, and from the more extended Catechism of Conrad Dietrich. In the selection of biblical proof texts also the example of old orthodox Catechisis was kept in view; only here and there it was deemed necessary, by words enclosed in parenthesis, to give an indication as to the parts of the answer to which the passages quoted were designed to apply; in most cases, however, the difference in the matter to which the passages refer, is indicated by a larger space between the texts, or by commencing a new class of proof texts in a new line. To save room, the passages are not printed repeatedly, but, with but few exceptions, when they occur more than once the question is referred to under which they are printed. As this Explanation of the Catechism is designed for the lower as well as the higher classes of elementary schools, and for the instruction of catechumens preparatory to confirmation, at the same time that its purpose is to promote knowledge unto salvation in young people already confirmed and in grown persons, questions have been introduced which the teacher 8 should take up only with more advanced pupils; some of them, indeed, he should leave entirely to those of maturer years. These have been marked with a star [*]. The same holds good also respecting the proof texts. Only those which are printed in full should, so far as possible, be memorized by all the pupils, while those which are merely cited should be turned to only by those who are especially gifted, and learned rather us to their contents than as to their precise wording. As regards the appendixes, the first is designed only for the higher classes, the second only for catechumens and adults. It is perhaps superfluous to remind the teacher that, before using this Catechism as the basis of his instruction, he should have thoroughly studied it in all its parts. To the blessing of Him, “who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth,” (1 Tim. 2:4.) this little book is commended. Amen. 9 Introduction by Dr. Gregory L. Jackson I am much more a fan of Luther’s Small Catechism than all the expanded explanations of Luther’s explanations. Moreover, the Seminex conquest of Missouri and WELS has leaked its toxins everywhere, including adding Objective Justification furtively to 432 page CPH edition. Was that supposed to be a joke or just a money-maker? The various editions, such as the original, sublime Gausewitz, are compared to each other, so it is important that the Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry is gathering them under the Lutheran catechism category. We do not know much about Dietrich, but he was close to the Luther’s era. Although Schwan’s Catechism was requested and published by the Missouri Synod, the Dietrich Catechism was still used and influenced future catechetical works. GREGORY L. JACKSON 10 Enchiridion. The Small Catechism Of Dr. Martin Luther For Pastors and Preachers. In the translation authorized by the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America. 11 Preface. Martin Luther To All Faithful, Pious Pastors And Preachers: Grace, Mercy, And Peace In Christ Jesus, Our Lord! The deplorable destitution which I recently observed, during a visitation of the churches, has impelled and constrained me to prepare this Catechism or Christian Doctrine in such a small and simple form. Alas, what manifold misery I beheld! The common people, especially in the villages, know nothing at all of Christian doctrine; and many pastors are quite unfit and incompetent to teach. Yet all are called Christians, have been baptized, and enjoy the use of the Sacraments, although they know neither the Lord’s Prayer, nor the Creed, nor the Ten Commandments, and live like the poor brutes and irrational swine. Still they have, now that the Gospel has come, learned to abuse all liberty in a masterly manner, O ye bishops! how will ye ever render account to Christ for having so shamefully neglected the people, and having never for a moment exercised your office! May the judgment not overtake you! You command communion in one kind, and urge your human ordinances; but never ask, in the meantime, whether the people know the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, the Ten Commandments, or any part of God’s word. Woe, woe unto you everlastingly Therefore I entreat you all, for God’s sake, my dear brethren who are pastors and preachers, to devote yourselves heartily to your office, and have pity upon the people who are committed to your charge. Help us to inculcate the Catechism upon them, especially upon the young. Let those who are not able to do better, take these tables and forms and set them word for word before the people, in the manner following:— First, the minister should above all things avoid the use of different texts and forms of the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, the Sacraments, etc.