Luther's Small Catechism and Explanation

by Martin Luther and H.U. Sverdrup

As we focus on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation and Martin Luther’s enormous impact, we should not overlook the importance of his Small Catechism. Luther is reported to have once commented that if he were to be remembered after his death for anything he had written it would be for his Small Catechism and The Bondage of the Will. That coming from one of the most prolific writers in the history of the Protestant Reformation testifies to the importance Luther placed on his Small Catechism.

What makes the Small Catechism such a cornerstone of Lutheran writing is its simplicity and clarity. Originally meant as a text to guide parents in teaching their children the principles of Christianity within a Lutheran framework, this short work has been used as a confirmation text by Lutheran pastors ever thereafter.

What makes the AFLC’s Luther’s Small Catechism and Explanation so uniquely different from most Lutheran catechisms today is the inclusion of the “Explanation,” that portion that amplifies the original Small Catechism through an additional series of 388 questions and answers.

This “Explanation,” often referred to as “Pontoppidan’s Explanation,” has a long history. In 1737, Erik Pontoppidan, chaplain to the King of Denmark, wrote an explanation attached to “Luther’s Small Catechism” called “Truth Unto Godliness.” His explanation contained 759 questions and answers as an aid for instructing Denmark’s young people in Luther’s catechism.

Because Norway was under Danish rule at the time, Pontoppidan’s work also became the text for teaching Norway’s children. In 1864, the State Church of Norway instructed Harald Ulrich Sverdrup (father of Georg Sverdrup, one of the founders of the Lutheran Free Church in America) to update and condense Pontoppidan’s work. In 1893, Norway’s Department of Church and Education had Sverdrup’s version of Pontoppidan’s Explanation abridged to 388 questions and answers, the length of our catechism today.

“H. U. Sverdrup’s Explanation,” as it was commonly known, became the standard throughout Norway. When Norwegian emigrants crossed the Atlantic, Sverdrup’s “Explanation” accompanied them, becoming an intersynodical catechism used in many Lutheran denominations in this country as well. This was the catechism adopted by the Lutheran Free Church in 1897 and translated into English in 1900.

Though the use of this intersynodical catechism which included the Explanation was discontinued by several mainline Lutheran Church bodies during the twentieth century, the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations (AFLC) has retained this Sverdrup Catechism since its organization in 1962.

In 2007, Luther’s Small Catechism and Explanation was updated without substantial changes to the text, except to replace some of the more archaic words with those more commonly used. For example, “quick” has been changed to “living,” “aught” to “anything,” and “raiment” to “clothing.” More Bible verses have been added in support of the Explanation portion. This edition also includes Luther’s Seal in full color with explanation at the beginning, followed by four attractive, full-colored posters illustrating the Ten Commandments, the Apostles Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Sacraments. Another fine feature is the separation into two distinct parts—Luther’s original Small Catechism is published in the beginning, followed by the

Explanation. But what is truly unique about the Explanation portion in this updated edition is that wherever Luther’s original text is included it is shaded in blue to help the reader differentiate between Luther’s original and Pontoppidan’s Explanation.

Furthermore, this attractive hardcover, pocket-sized catechism has Luther’s crest embossed on the cover, making it a handsome addition to any Lutheran’s library. In fact, it would make an excellent text for adults to study in order to re-examine their roots. For as professor of church history at Luther Seminary Walter Sundberg writes in his review in the May 2008 Metro Lutheran: “Perusing the pages of this fine volume, however, I become mindful of the rigor and discipline of old Lutheranism. This small volume would make an excellent gift for the new confirmand. It would also be a valuable and uplifting book for an adult study group.”

Loiell Dyrud
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
Thief River Falls, MN