Luther's Small Catechism: An Exposition of the Christian Faith in Asian Contexts and Cultures ed. by J. Paul Rajashekar (review)

The history of the church is the dramatic story of the gospel crossing boundaries so that it might sing its song in many languages and cultures. From the very title on the cover to the riveting appeal of the final paragraph, this book aims to do just that—"offer a contextually relevant exposition of Luther's Small Catechism … broaden the scope of the catechism by taking account of Asian realities … serve as an important instructional material for congregations, especially those who are new to the Christian faith" (xiii). It is an exciting evangelical effort.

Inspired by the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the project was initiated by the Asian Lutheran International Conference (ALIC), an organization that connects Asians in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) with Asians from Asia for theological reflection relevant to their common backgrounds. The book's contributors include six internationally known Lutheran pastors and teachers originating in India, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Japan. Four have degrees from ELCA theological institutions; three are currently serving in the ELCA.

After a six-page introduction that highlights the history of the catechism's importance in Asia, the book follows the catechism's outline. The treatments are not extensive. Some, like the second and third articles of the Apostles' Creed get as many as twelve pages each; others, like the seventh commandment, receive only three. What makes the book distinctive is its two-prong approach. Each section offers first a presentation of Martin Luther's own understanding, and then a discussion of the implications within the context of Asian concerns, "religious pluralism … contemporary issues of poverty, social inequality, ecological crisis, patriarchy," along with other topics (xiii). Each section concludes with three or four questions for group discussion.

A recurring theme is the need for a sensitive and respectful approach to such religions as esteemed relatives or ancestors of Asian Christians may have followed. Rather than judging them, "we are invited to reflect how Christian understanding of God is related to those other perceptions of God" (84). Might it be that "[t]he community of saints cannot be restricted to those professing the Christian faith, for we do not know how God wills to save and rescue those who are outside the boundaries of the church" (74)? Surely, "all humans are beneficiaries of God's grace and mercy, whether they know it or not" (53). In Asian contexts as elsewhere, "Christian witness to God is a positive witness to what God has done for us in Jesus Christ and not a negative witness against other religious beliefs" (7). The Asian context invites authentic conversation by non-Asians, too, about these and other missiological insights.

The book ventures some discussable assertions. Was the Apostles' Creed, in fact, widely dispersed as early as 150 CE (47). Was Martin Luther aware of Asian religious pluralism (xiii)? Is it true that baptism "doesn't bestow a special measure of grace beyond what one has already received by being born, having parents, food to eat, etc." (124, emphasis mine)? Brevity does not always leave enough room for depth, and some of the material may seem shallow. Language use is uneven and sometimes rather distracting; it is unfortunate that a book of such high purpose was not more carefully edited for contemporary English.

Nevertheless, I expect it will receive a warm welcome among the Asian catechumens for whom it was designed. And I imagine it also being appreciated in congregational study groups, Asian and otherwise, as unique Asian perspectives bring insights to us all.