Catechisms of the WELS

Abstract

Brett Brauer’s 1994 essay traces the historical development of catechisms used in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). Beginning with early reliance on external texts like those by Ludwig, Walther, and Caspari, Brauer outlines the progression toward synod-produced catechisms, including the influential Kleiner Katechismus (1881) and Carl Gausewitz’s edition (1917), which became a standard for decades. He details subsequent revisions, including the 1956 “brown catechism,” the Fehlauer edition (1981) for younger students, and the Kuske “blue catechism” (1982) for broader use. Each revision reflects linguistic updates, pedagogical shifts, and responses to contemporary theological and societal issues, while maintaining doctrinal continuity. Brauer emphasizes the catechism’s enduring role in grounding WELS members in biblical truth and anticipates future revisions that will continue this legacy of faithful instruction. —Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)