catechismus

Catechismus is a term used in Christian contexts for a manual or book of instruction designed to teach the basics of the faith through a question-and-answer format. The word derives from Latin catechismus, itself from Greek katechein, meaning to instruct by oral teaching. In practice, a catechism aims to summarize core doctrines, moral teachings, and prayer life in a form that is easy to memorize and teach.

Historically, catechisms emerged as tools for catechesis in the early and medieval Christian churches and became central in educating new converts, laypeople, and clergy. They were widely used across Western Christianity and were adapted to fit particular confessions and languages. A typical catechism covers foundational topics such as the creed, the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, the sacraments, and forms of prayer and devotion.

Notable examples include Luther’s Small Catechism (1529) and Large Catechism (1529), which shaped Lutheran home and church instruction; the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), a foundational Reformed catechism; and Calvinist materials produced in Geneva during the 1540s. In the Catholic tradition, important works include the Catechism of the Council of Trent (published 1566) and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992, with later revisions), which systematize Catholic doctrine for the faithful and for instruction.

In modern use, catechisms continue to serve as standardized tools for religious education, ecumenical dialogue, and personal formation, though many denominations also publish contemporary or regionally adapted catechetical texts.