"This translation is based on several editions of the 'Evangelical catechism" of 1929 as well as the earlier editions of 1892-1896 (when the catechism appeared both in German and in English) and the original revision of the catechism of 1847, dating from 1862. In this attempt to translate or re-state the 'Evangelical catechism' for the 21st century, I have presented the various sections of the catechism in the order in which they appeared in 1929 (when the last restatement was published). But I have done so with one exception: The Ten commandments. I have included the commandments here as Part I, as they originally appeared in the 19th century and as they continue to appear in Luther's 'Small catechism,' on the three doctrinal statements that remained particularly important to the Evangelical Synod of North America"--Introd..