Children’s Catechisms as Resources for Discipleship and Apologetics in England, 1549–1642

Abstract

The text-based thesis examines how catechisms, specifically adapted for use with children, functioned as a tool for the discipleship of children’s faith and were used apologetically to defend Christian doctrine within the church and family in England from 1549 to 1642. The catechisms examined are exclusive to the Book of Common Prayer. Chapter 2 presents a survey of catechisms used specifically with children focusing on discipleship and apologetic topics. Chapter 3 provides a survey of catechisms for children, specifically used within the home. Chapter 4 focuses on the relationship between the function of the adapted catechisms and their usage by parents and the church clergy for the preservation of the church and its Christian doctrines. Chapter 5 concludes with the findings of this thesis, noting the important implications and themes of the research.