From an interview with Peter C Schattauer

By Naomi Meints ’25, NVP Fellow

In a recent blog post, I explored A Living Catechism, an exciting new project created specifically for today’s churches to understand what we stand by and reflect on what it means to be a Lutheran in the 21st century. A Living Catechism was created as a collaboration between Reverend Matthew Fleming, the director of the organization Church Anew (a ministry housed at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Eden Prairie, MN), and Dr. Deanna Thompson, the Director of The Lutheran Center for Faith, Values and Community at St. Olaf College. It was born from the idea of revamping the way we communicate the best of Lutheran belief and practice for the 21st century. They asked if there was a way to introduce a new catechism, not replacing Luther’s catechisms, but one that speaks to our modern lives in a way that makes our churches feel alive and thriving. These resources of the project are created to meet people on their level so that everyone can be engaged with a guide that fits the unique challenges of their lives!

A Living Catechism is based on seven principles that strive to articulate the core beliefs of Lutherans in the 21st century. I recently interviewed Peter C. Schattauer, Associate Director of The Lutheran Center here at St. Olaf, about what the principles are and why they’re important. These are the first steps to understanding both A Living Catechism and the basic beliefs of Lutheranism. These principles exist to provide the framework for the updated catechism and guide us in understanding the most important core tenets of the Lutheran faith. These principles are a summary of only the most crucial key points of our denomination’s beliefs, and are broken down into simple language and paired with Biblical evidence to meet any curious reader on their level. The principles are: 

1. God becomes human for us in Jesus Christ.

2. God meets us in bread, wine, and water.

3. God feels our pain and suffering.

4. God delights in our goodness and judges sin.

5. God speaks to us through Scripture and Spirit.

6. God compels creation toward mercy.

7. God loves us eternally.

Peter explained the backstory of these seven principles, why each of them were chosen, and how they’re connected to A Living Catechism. Deanna Thomson initially brought the idea for these principles to A Living Catechism after her experiences at the Luther Congress, a small gathering of Lutheran leaders, in summer 2022. Rev. Dr. Guy Erwin, President of United Lutheran Seminary, spoke on the principles that define a 21st century Lutheran, and he landed on these seven. Specifically, they were born from honest conversations that emphasize the priorities of marginalized Lutherans. Regarding the creation of these principles, Peter said: “He named those seven principles because he saw them as the principles best able to take on the challenges of life in the world today, which is an undercurrent of a living catechism. We want to explain what it means to be Lutheran in an invitational, accessible way. We think these principles say something that can help us and those who are seeking something like this to face the challenges of our world, and face the challenges of our lives. So we started with those seven principles”.

We want to explain what it means to be Lutheran in an invitational, accessible way. We think these principles say something that can help us and those who are seeking something like this to face the challenges of our world, and face the challenges of our lives.

Rev. Peter Carlson Schattauer, Associate Director of the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values and Community

While each of these principles are unique and equally important parts of understanding and living the Lutheran identity, there are truths that connect all of them together. One of those most important connections that was emphasized is the actions of God. It is important to remember that God is present and active in our modern lives. All things in creation are from God, who exists as an active, creative, and loving creator. On this topic, Peter stated: “You know, I think that a really important thing that we are saying Lutherans believe about God is that God acts; that God does things in the world. Because each of these principles starts with an action of God in some way. And I also think that in so many of these they are about ways that God is with us, that God’s action in the world is always an action of moving towards people and seeking deeper and more honest relationships with humans”. This is only one of the themes explored in the principles of A Living Catechism. All of these principles and more will be explained in depth in upcoming blogs, so stay posted to learn deeply about each of these enlightening and inspiring principles!

I think that a really important thing that we are saying Lutherans believe about God is that God acts; that God does things in the world.

Rev. Peter Carlson Schattauer, Associate Director of the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values and Community

These seven principles are a crucial part of understanding A Living Catechism and its presentation of understanding a modern Lutheran faith. However, this list is only the beginning, as the guidelines for living well in the faith are abundant, as well as the opportunities to question and explore what it means to be Lutheran. I encourage everyone to read these well and think about what it means in your unique life. If you’re curious about this and similar projects, you can learn more at the 2024 Conference for Worship, Theology, and the Arts: Nourishing Vocation happening at St. Olaf College July 29-31. This is a chance to learn more about exciting projects such as A Living Catechism and its accompanying resources, but also participate in opportunities to reflect upon and discuss these ideas of Lutheran life at the conference. I hope you also look forward to watching where this project goes and continuing to engage in these questions and discernment!