That I May Be His Own

Dr. Arand's basic premise is that Lutherans desperately need to return to Luther's Small Catechism so the reformer's understanding of Scripture (what I would argue as the correct understanding) doesn't get lost in the midst of pop American evangelicalism (not bashing them, but their understanding of God is like low fat ice cream ... you get the idea but it lacks the richness). However, before this can be done, we need to rediscover the catechism, the purpose behind it's structure, and how it shapes the Christian's worldview. This leads to catechesis that is far superior to the standard overview of the different segments and memorization of Luther's meanings. While no section of the book disappoints, chapter 5 alone is worth double the book's price as it identifies how the chief parts interrelate and flow together to create a complete and unified worldview. If pastors, DCE's, and teachers used Arand's book to train themselves in how to teach the catechism, there would be no desire for "The Purpose Driven Life" in Lutheran circles because people would have a far superior "Catechism Driven Life."

To this day, Lutherans often view Luther's Small Catechism as a means to an end: confirmation. Therefore, we see the catechism as a book for children, not for all Christians, as if it were like most other schoolbooks: something to tolerate until graduation and then discard as refuse. To this Arand writes a scholarly, refuting tour de force. Instead, Arand shows us through his well-researched book that we should see the catechism as an "owner's manual," for it contains more than information on what to know, but how to live. In chapter two, Arand shows that not until the 16th century did the term "catechism" become linked with only a formal instruction in the faith for confirmation. Throughout the history of the Church, catechetical instruction has taken place in sermons, confessional manuals, prayer books--besides formal instruction. Even preaching incorporated the catechism, for sermons and the catechism both go to the heart of the Christian faith. In chapter three, Arand really shines. There he shows that Luther wrote his catechisms to be with the Christian from baptismal font to grave. That the Small Catechism remain with a Christian, Luther designed that it be internalized at three levels. First, Luther wanted the catechism to be learned. For this to happen, he specified three tiers where children would be taught: Parents took the primary role, with pastors and government taking on auxiliary functions. Luther wrote the catechism for memorization (in the German) for a largely illiterate culture; thus, he used alliteration, assonance, repetition, strong verbs, and concrete nouns. Second, Luther wanted the Catechism to be understood. To aid this level of knowledge, he employed a series of questions and explanations, the most common being, "What is this?" Third, Luther wanted the Catechism to take root in a person through meditation and continual relearning of the Catechism. Such a third level of learning would keep the Christian centered amid the travails of life. In Chapter four, we learn that even the arrangement of Luther's Small Catechism carries meaning! The Small Catechism's order has a dynamic that is theologically significant, because each chief part of the Catechism must be read and interpreted in light of the whole. Luther's ordering of the Catechism is the Law-Gospel rhythm of Christian life--and part of catechesis itself. The Catechism's shape is the shape of the Christian life. First, we are brought to repentance by knowing our inadequacy to meet God's demands (Ten Commandments). Yet, through the life-creating Word (the Creed), faith is worked. Next is our response to God: Prayer (the Our Father). The Catechism presents the doctrine of the Gospel in its fullness with its chief article--justification--at its center. The life of the Christian shaped by the Catechism is one that uplifts God's gifts, not human works. In the structure of the Catechism, we see Law and Gospel correctly ordered and treated, and th