Martin Luther preaches a sermon introducing his series of Catechism sermons and explaining the First Commandment. I have not found an English translation of the first series of catechism sermons, but the original (1529) preface to the Large Catechism is based on this first sermon, so I present the second half of it as our Quotation for today.

Quotation:

[continued from the previous post] These [1] are the most necessary parts which one should first learn to repeat word for word and which our children should be accustomed to recite daily when they arise in the morning, when they sit down to their meals, and when they retire at night. Until they recite them, they should be given neither food nor drink. Likewise, every head of a household is obliged to do the same with respect to his servants, male and female, and not keep them in his house if they do not know these things and are unwilling to learn them. For a person who is so crude and unruly as to be unwilling to learn these things is not to be tolerated. For in these three parts everything that we have in the Scriptures is comprehended in short, plain, and simple terms. For the holy Fathers or apostles (whoever they were) [2] have thus embraced in a summary the doctrine, life, wisdom, and learning that constitute the Christian’s conversation, conduct, and concern.

Now, when these three parts have been understood, it behooves a person also to know what to say concerning our sacraments, which Christ himself instituted, baptism and the holy body and blood of Christ, according to the texts in which Matthew and Mark record at the close of their Gospels how Christ said farewell to his disciples and sent them forth.

Concerning Baptism

“Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” [3] “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” [4]

So much is sufficient for a simple person to know from the Scriptures concerning Baptism. The same also applies to the other sacrament, mentioning a few, short, simple words, according to the text of St. Paul.

Concerning the Sacrament

“Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’” [5]

Thus, you would have, in all, five parts of the entire Christian doctrine which we should constantly teach and require to be recited word for word. For you must not assume that the young people will learn and retain these things from sermons alone. When these parts have been well learned, you may, as a supplement and to fortify them, lay before them also some psalms or hymns, which have been composed on these parts, [6] and thus lead the young into the Scriptures, and make daily progress therein.

However, it is not enough for them to comprehend and recite these parts according to the words only, but the young people should also be made to attend the preaching, especially during the time which is devoted to the Catechism, [7] that they may hear it explained and may learn to understand what every part contains, so as to be able to recite it as they have heard it, and, when asked, may give a correct answer, so that the preaching may not be without profit and fruit. For the reason we exercise such diligence in preaching the Catechism so often is that it may be impressed on our youth, not in a lofty and subtle manner, but briefly and with the greatest simplicity, so as to enter the mind readily and be fixed in the memory. Therefore, we shall now take up the above-mentioned articles one by one and in the plainest manner possible say about them as much as is necessary.

Notes

[1] The Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer.

[2] Luther was not interested in refuting legends of apostolic authorship, which asserted that each of the twelve apostles contributed a particular phrase to the Creed.

[3] Matthew 28:19, after Luther’s translation.

[4] Mark 16:16, after Luther’s translation.

[5] 1 Cor. 11:23-25, after Luther’s translation.

[6] Luther himself wrote six hymns on various parts of the Catechism:

  • Jesus Christus unser Heiland, der von uns (Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior, LSB #627) on the Lord’s Supper;
  • Vater Unsere im Himmelreich (Our Father, Who from Heaven Above, LSB #766) on the Lord’s Prayer;
  • Dies sind die Heilgen Zehn Gebot (These Are the Holy Ten Commandments, LSB #581);
  • Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam (To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord, LSB #406-7) on Baptism;
  • Wir glauben all an einen Gott (We All Believe in One True God, LSB #953-4) on the Creed;
  • Mensch, willst du leben seliglich (Wilt Thou, O Man, Live Happily; Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book #392 (1927)) on the Ten Commandments.

[7] A Wittenberg Church Ordinance of 1533 will require preaching on the Catechism four times a year.

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