Catechisms

Catechisms are concise instructional manuals used to teach the essential beliefs and practices of the Christian faith through a question-and-answer format. They are designed to provide a structured, memorable summary of doctrine, catechesis for new believers, and a basis for personal and communal instruction.

Catechetical practice emerged in the early church and became more formalized in medieval Christian education. With the Reformation, many Protestant communities developed catechisms to teach doctrinal essentials in the vernacular, often to accompany confirmation and baptism. The Catholic Church continued to publish official catechisms, culminating in the Catechism of the Council of Trent and, in modern times, the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Other traditions—Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, and Methodist—also produced prominent catechisms with similar aims but tailored to their theological emphases.

Typical catechisms address core elements such as the Creed, the Decalogue, the sacraments or ordinances, prayer, and the Christian life. They usually present a sequence of questions that pose a spiritual problem or topic, followed by a succinct answer intended to be memorized and explained. They are used in catechumenates, parish instruction for children and adults, and during confirmation or baptism preparation.

Examples include Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms (1647), and the Baltimore Catechism (1885–1891) in the Catholic tradition. The Catholic Church’s universal reference today is the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992; revised 1997).

Today, catechisms remain common in many churches as a means of structured doctrinal formation, though some communities emphasize more informal or experiential approaches. Critics note that rigid repetition can obscure deeper understanding and context, while supporters argue that memorization of essential truths provides a durable foundation for faith.