Purpose of Luther’s Catechism

Hi. I understand that the WELS teaches from the Bible and regards the Bible as the true Word of God. However, I am confused about the Catechism and Martin Luther. Is the Catechism an explanation of doctrines in the Bible or is it teachings of Luther? Thank you.

Elsewhere on this web site you can read that “Martin Luther wrote the Small Catechism as a brief summary of the basic truths of the Christian faith. It was primarily intended to educate the laity and was designed as a tool that parents could use to teach their children. It provides summaries or explanations of the Ten Commandments, the Apostles Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Sacrament of Baptism, the Sacrament of the Altar (Holy Communion), and the Ministry of the Keys and Confession.”

Luther also wrote the Large Catechism. “Covering in greater depth the same doctrines and subjects as the Small Catechism, the Large Catechism was really a series of edited sermons of Martin Luther. It was intended primarily as a tool that could be used by pastors and teachers to broaden their knowledge of the teachings of the Bible.”

The Catechisms provide an explanation of biblical teachings. Scripture alone is the source of our faith (Ephesians 2:20).