Leroy Huizenga offers interesting perspective on the role of cathechetics, writing on Krista Tippitt’s blog, On Being. While his piece centers mostly on practices in the Catholic Church, I’m interested in how Episcopal churches are incorporating old-fashioned cathechism into religious education. He writes:
Experiment: Think of any youth group experience you’ve had or known of in the past couple decades. Are youth workers having their kids memorize and really study the Bible, or is it more about games and songs? The Word abides — thinking of AWANA here — but I think it’s safe to say that most youth groups are more about fellowship, community, safe spaces, and good experiences than developing serious knowledge of the Bible.
Third, even where doctrine wasn’t intentionally marginalized there was a sense that simply knowing the teaching and going through the motions wasn’t enough, that one’s faith must be one’s own faith. I’m thinking here especially of the Catholic Church in the middle of the century. Whatever Vatican II was, it was certainly a call for all Catholics to embrace the faith with their whole beings.
But I think old school catechetics are helpful, and it’s good to see them making a comeback.
Read the entire piece here and share your thoughts.