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catechism
catechism [Gr.,=oral instruction], originally oral instruction in religion, later written instruction. Catechisms are usually written in the form of questions and answers. Almost as old as Christianity, they were used especially for the instruction of converts and children. Catechisms were popular in the later Middle Ages and assumed even greater significance in the Reformation through Martin Luther's emphasis on the religious education of children. His Small Catechism (1529) is still the standard book of the Lutheran church. The greatest Calvinist catechism was the Heidelberg Catechism (1563). It was revised at Dort (1619) and was used in Dutch and German Reformed churches; other catechisms are the Longer and Shorter Catechisms of 1647 and 1648, drawn up to supplement the Westminster Confession; they are used in Presbyterian churches. The catechism for the Anglican Communion is included in the Book of Common Prayer.
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"catechism." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "catechism." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-catechis.html "catechism." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-catechis.html |
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catechism
catechism. A popular manual of Christian doctrine. Originally the term was applied to the oral instruction given to children and adults before Baptism; the name passed to the book containing such instruction. In the Middle Ages prescriptions for catechizing the faithful were frequently issued, and books were produced containing explanations of the Lord's Prayer and Creed, lists of mortal sins, etc. The Reformation brought a flood of new catechisms. M. Luther's Kleiner Katechismus (1529) is still the standard book of the Lutheran Churches. The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) occupies a similar position in the Calvinist communions. The RC Church also produced a number of new catechisms. RCs in England until recently commonly used A Catechism of Christian Doctrine (1898), popularly known as the ‘Penny Catechism’, which is based on a work of R. Challoner. The desire for a modern manual of doctrine in the RC Church led to the publication of the ‘Catechism of the Catholic Church’. See also GENEVA CATECHISM, WESTMINSTER CATECHISMS, and the following entry.
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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "catechism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "catechism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-catechism.html E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "catechism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-catechism.html |
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Catechism
Catechism (Gk., katēcheō, ‘instruct’). An elementary manual of Christian doctrine. In the Middle Ages books were produced containing explanations of the Lord's Prayer and creed, lists of mortal sins, etc. It was the Reformation, however, with its insistence on religious instruction, which brought forth the catechisms known today. Catechisms normally contain expositions of the creed, Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments; RC ones add instructions on the Hail Mary, sacraments, virtues and vices, and extend into virtually every area of doctrine and behaviour.
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JOHN BOWKER. "Catechism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Catechism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Catechism.html JOHN BOWKER. "Catechism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Catechism.html |
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catechism
cat·e·chism / ˈkatəˌkizəm/ • n. a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians. ∎ a series of fixed questions, answers, or precepts used for instruction in other situations. DERIVATIVES: cat·e·chis·mal / ˌkatəˈkizəməl/ adj. |
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"catechism." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "catechism." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-catechism.html "catechism." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-catechism.html |
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catechism
catechism a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians. The word is recorded from the early 16th century and comes via ecclesiastical Latin from ecclesiastical Greek katēkhizein ‘instruct orally, make hear’.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "catechism." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "catechism." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-catechism.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "catechism." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-catechism.html |
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catechism
catechism Manual of instruction in Christian church teachings, for use by the young or by any candidate preparing for admission to membership of a church. In some sects, it provides a medium of instruction for baptized members. A catechism often takes the form of question and answer.
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Cite this article
"catechism." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "catechism." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-catechism.html "catechism." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-catechism.html |
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