page_title: Catechism
section_title: Genevan Catechism
hierarchical_section_title: Catechism / Protestant catechisms / Reformed catechisms / Genevan Catechism
caption_attribution_description: English: Title page of Genevan Catechism
context_page_description: A catechism is a summary or exposition of doctrine and serves as a learning introduction to the Sacraments traditionally used in catechesis, or Christian religious teaching of children and adult converts. Catechisms are doctrinal manuals – often in the form of questions followed by answers to be memorised – a format that has been used in non-religious or secular contexts as well. According to Norman DeWitt, the early Christians appropriated this practice from the Epicureans, a school whose founder Epicurus had instructed to keep summaries of the teachings for easy learning. The term catechumen refers to the designated recipient of the catechetical work or instruction. In the Catholic Church, catechumens are those who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Baptism. Traditionally, they would be placed separately during Holy Mass from those who had been baptized, and would be dismissed from the liturgical assembly before the Profession of Faith and General Intercessions.
  Catechisms are characteristic of Western Christianity but are also present in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
context_section_description: John Calvin produced a catechism while at Geneva (1541), which underwent two major revisions (1545 and 1560). Calvin's aim in writing the catechism of 1545 was to set a basic pattern of doctrine, meant to be imitated by other catechists, which would not affirm local distinctions or dwell on controversial issues, but would serve as a pattern for what was expected to be taught by Christian fathers and other teachers of children in the church. The catechism is organized on the topics of faith, law, prayer and sacraments.
  Master. What is the chief end of human life?
  Scholar. To know God by whom men were created.
  M. What reason have you for saying so?
  S. Because he created us and placed us in this world to be glorified in us. And it is indeed right that our life, of which himself is the beginning, should be devoted to his glory.
  M. What is the highest good of man?
  S. The very same thing.
caption: Title page of 1545 edition of the Genevan Catechism
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