Reflection paper .
That I May Be His Own by Charles Arand .
Augustine And The Catechumenate by William Harmless .
"Reform" and "renewal" can be applied both to Luther's quest for the true confession of faith and to Augustine's endeavor to aid the Church out of dead ritualistic existence. Education of the people was viewed by both of them as the key task of the Church. Therefore, it was essential for them to develop catechesis that would provide a clear guide or curriculum to support and deepen the conversation between the Church and the convert. Neither Luther nor Augustine approached this task as if they had to make up something supplemental, just for the sake of some kind of exposure to generic Christian beliefs in its author's own prospective. Instead, both authors come to the eternal teaching of Christ revealed to the Church by means of the external Word - the liturgy. .
The idea of liturgy as the focal point of catechesis can be found in Luther's ministry as well as Augustine's. It cannot be otherwise, as the Church always viewed liturgy as an act of confession of faith, which also has an educational aspect. Augustine deepens this aspect by systematizing the confession. This task is to foster the understanding of liturgy and appreciation of faith by a new convert. Liturgy provides a dynamic educational process, so God's truth can be taught in all purity. Thereby, God's gifts can be bestowed without hindrance or limitation. The Word, by Augustine, reveals Himself to all those who participate in the liturgy and confess their faith together. In this manner, liturgy itself is very much an "insider catechism", which is no wonder in the era of pan-Roman Catholic Europe. .
Luther's approach to catechetical education is very similar. It is in the liturgy, where the believers and new converts can find the Word teaching them. However, the reality of confrontation with Rome had alters Luther's view of how the true faith should be taught and proclaimed.
