Learning the Bible with Martin Luther 2 is Coming (and a New Catechism Series Too)
Learning the Bible with Martin Luther 2 (LtBwML2) is coming, but it has turned out to be a far more ambitious project than I originally intended. The reason is that the original Learning the Bible with Martin Luther (LtBwML) uses the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Small Catechism. And, for better or for worse, LtBwML officially launched the same week the LCMS put out a new catechism. That proved to be a real challenge because of the different structure of LtBwML. It was not easy to transition from one catechism to the next. After the launch, I had hoped to be able to pick up the new LCMS catechism and use it anyway, but unfortunately, that was not the case.
The new version of the LCMS catechism, whether you like it or not, simply changed the language too much to be able to use it easily. Instead, I would have had to rewrite LtBwML completely to use it. Moreover, the new version of the LCMS catechism also added many things that I felt were not essential for younger audiences and included them in essential questions and answers needed for LtBwML. That meant not only would I have to rewrite LtBwML, but I would have had to make it even longer than it already is. Both of those things I believed ran counter to Martin Luther’s purposes with his small catechism, which are: 1) to teach the same things across generations and 2) to keep things simple. I abandoned using the LCMS’ new catechism for those reasons and a few more.
That meant I had to find or write a new version of Luther’s Small Catechism. I chose to do the latter. I have been writing a new version of Luther’s Small Catechism and so much more for several years. In fact, the project ballooned into something very big and very ambitious. But it will allow LtBwML2 to be shorter than the original version and provide a path forward for teaching after confirmation class.
The new catechism project is “The Christian’s Practical Guidebook.” Rather than just being one book, it is a series well into production. To start, there will be three editions, and the third edition will be several volumes. Each edition is laid out with the same sections and in the same order as LtBwML. Also, the questions and answers are numbered identically across editions. (E.g., Question 312 is the same question and answer across all editions, but additional content may have been added in later editions.)
The first edition is called the “Fundamentals Edition.”
During my book tour, I lost track of how many people were asking for Luther’s Small Catechism to be small again. So, this edition is intended to be as close to Luther’s original intent as is humanly possible. In other words, it is short, to the point, and without any frills. While I would have liked to keep it even shorter, the reality is Luther’s original Small Catechism, plus explanation, and plus Bible passages written out simply cannot be 20 pages or less. I could probably cut my version in half if I did not have the Bible passages written out, but the Bible passages are essential to me. The rough draft of this edition is completed.
My plan for this edition is to price it as nearly free as possible and only cover print and delivery costs if necessary.
The second edition is called the “Confirmation Edition.” (LtBwML2’s catechism.)
The Confirmation Edition is similar in length and scope as other editions of Luther’s Small Catechism today. However, because it is curated and written especially to match LtBwML, very few changes will be made to the updated LtBwML2. That means, if you have been using the original LtBwML, the material will be almost identical in the workbook; only the catechism numbers and pages will be different. Plus, because this new catechism is laid out like LtBwML, there will be no more flipping throughout the catechism book. Instead, the chapter(s) will be listed at the beginning of each lesson that the student goes through. Plus, those chapters will follow the same order as LtBwML. This will make finding and retaining information much easier for the students. Currently, this book is being curated and written alongside LtBwML2. Both are about 40% written.
I plan for this edition to be priced similarly or less than other catechisms currently available. I also plan to price LtBwML2 similarly to what the original was when it was released, if at all possible.
The Third Edition is called the “Comprehensive Edition.”
The Comprehensive Edition of the Christian’s Practical Guidebook is immensely ambitious and inextricably linked to the other editions. The reason is that all of the other edition’s questions and answers are pulled from this book and then modified (material cut out) if necessary. This edition is much longer than I originally thought it would be. Currently, it is over 800 pages long, about 140 topics written, with another 20 planned, currently about 3000 questions and answers, and thousands of Bible passages. Each topic averages about eight pages long, with a little less than half of that being Bible passages written out. But I am so excited about this edition because it will truly be a successor to the material in the Confirmation Edition and LtBwML. So, you will be able to find more information about the material, seek answers to tough questions, and be provided with practical answers. When Luther said, “After they finish the Small Catechism, pick up the large one,” this is the Large Catechism and so much more. And, because the questions match, and the layout and style are the same, it will be familiar to the reader.
That being said, due to its size and scope, it has to be broken up into several volumes. Moreover, because the questions and answers for the other two editions come from it, all the various editions and LtBwML2 must be completed together to a certain extent. I am hopeful that, at this point, the Comprehensive Edition is completed enough to produce the other editions and LtBwML2 relatively easily (even though this edition’s completion is a ways off).
While I had planned on having most, if not everything, out a while ago, a quality product is more important to me than a quick product. So, I don’t really know when this edition will be ready for print. But as always, I am hopeful it will be soon. Moreover, once I am closer to completion, I can update you on the expected pricing for this edition.
Product reviews and testing:
Like LtBwML, the Christian’s Practical Guidebook has been, and is currently being, tested by people close to me. That testing has included reading whole sections of the Comprehensive edition and giving feedback. It has also been tested through Bible Studies produced using the material found in the book. I am very happy with the feedback and feel the end product will be truly special. You can click here if you would like to view the topics currently produced, planned, or in production.
At present, only the Bible studies are available for the general public to enjoy. You can find them at https://www.christianbiblescholars.com/collections/bible-studies for $0. There is also an option to support my work there via donation if you wish to do so.