Not everyone is a fan of catechesis—or even intentional Scripture memorization—and in what follows, I’d like to address seven common concerns, four this week and three next, concluding with a personal confession and some practical guidance:
- “Catechesis is brainwashing”— British philosopher and author A. C. Grayling said that “Religions survive mainly because they brainwash the young.”[1] Is he right in saying this? Even many thoughtful Christians wonder, “Isn’t catechizing children a form of brainwashing?” It’s a great question, and in answering it let’s first define terms. Brainwashing is:
- a method for systematically changing attitudes or altering beliefs, originated in totalitarian countries, especially through the use of torture, drugs, or psychological-stress techniques. Or…
- any method of controlled systematic indoctrination, especially one based on repetition or confusion: brainwashing by TV commercials.[2]
This second meaning applies the most to our question and helps to ask it even more pointedly: “Is catechizing a method of ‘controlled systematic indoctrination’ based on ‘repetition’?” The answer is, yes. But then, by this definition, so is spending hours on a smartphone or consuming hours of Disney or PBS KIDS. Which brings us to this question: “Is using a catechism to pass on the essentials of the Christian faith a good and helpful form of “controlled systematic indoctrination,” akin to memorizing multiplication tables or even a verse like John 3:16? How you answer this question will largely be determined by whether you think a particular catechism (or certain portions of it) teaches truth and is good for kids. If you believe it does, you’ll likely use it. If you believe it doesn’t or you’re A.C. Graying, you’ll likely have a different take. Yes, it’s true that, in cathechizing children, they don’t fully understand the full implications of what they’re learning at the time that they’re memorizing select questions and answers. But there are plenty of things we teach our children before they fully understand, for their own good. Remember, as a parent, you have the ability to determine how in-depth you want to go in presenting concepts to your child(ren).
- “I’m not a fan of liturgy and meaningless repetition”– Some are averse to any kind of formulaic worship, responsive readings, prayers that are written out ahead of time and read vs. those that are spontaneous and informal, etc. Often Matthew 6:7 is pointed to where Jesus said, “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.”[3] But Jesus’ issue here is not repetition[4] as much as it is “showy” repetition or repetition that is disconnected from a heart for God. In other words, Jesus’ command is more a reflection of God’s words in Isaiah: “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me…”[5] Catechesis and memorized prayers like The Lord’s Prayer or memorized creeds like The Apostle’s Creed are not “meaningless repetition” if the heart is engaged. And let’s be honest, whether we prefer formal worship, informal worship, or some mix of the two, we’ll constantly have to deal with our wandering hearts. Whether worshipping publicly or privately, we’ll never outgrow the need to have our hearts called back to God’s ancient paths.
- “Memorization makes me sweaty”—A friend’s wife had a young grade-schooler who had a hard time helping out or doing his work. When asked why, in his characteristic whiney lisp, he’d say, “I can’t, Mrs. Irwin, it makes me sweaty.” Yes, he was serious and that’s what made his response so hilarious. It’s a classic line that’s been a joke around our house for years. I often tell my daughter when she asks me to move her car or do the dishes that I can’t because it makes me sweaty. This certainly applies to memorizing something like a catechism or learning Spanish. If we find memorization valuable, however, we’ll push through the sweatiness and do hard things!
- “Change happens at the level of desire, not knowledge”—Individuals like Jamie Smith in his book Desiring the Kingdom have made the case that true, transformative change happens primarily at the level of desire, not knowledge. In other words, you don’t start the fire of faith by memorizing facts or verses. Many (myself included), however, although agreeing strongly with Smith, see catechesis as laying “kindling and logs in the fireplace, so that when the Holy Spirit ignites your child’s heart, there will be a steady, mature blaze.”[6]
[1] A more nuanced and helpful statement that takes Grayling’s challenge seriously is this one by Soren Keierkegaard: “There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true. The other is to refuse to accept what is true.”
[2] Dictionary.com
[3] NASB.
[4] The Psalms are full of repetition. See especially Psalm 136.
[5] 29:13a, NLT.
[6] The New City Catechism: 52 Questions for Our Hearts and Minds (Wheaton, IL: Crossways, 2017), 8.