Published by Eerdmans on July 8, 2025
Genres: Academic, Non-Fiction, Theology
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Now more than ever, faith communities need to engage in what the early church called catechesis: basic but comprehensive instruction in what Christians believe, hope, and love.
The early church stressed the importance of teaching core tenets of the Christian faith. Over time, however, many churches have lost sight of what catechesis is and how to practice it effectively. As a result, believers today often lack the theological, spiritual, and moral foundations needed to remain firmly grounded in Christ in the midst of personal and cultural struggles.
To meet this need, theologian Alex Fogleman has written Making Disciples—an introduction to catechesis that is engaging, informative, and pastoral. Fogleman explains that catechesis focuses less on current fashions and hot topics and more on the basic building blocks of thinking, praying, and living as a Christian. It is distinct from evangelism in that it goes beyond the proclamation of the gospel; it is distinct from preaching in that it prioritizes basic understanding of Christian belief and practice. Put simply, catechesis is a process of forming lifelong followers of Christ. Making Disciples provides rich insights and practical resources for incorporating catechesis into the life of the church today.
What do you think of when you hear the words “catechesis”? No, it’s not the sounds a sneeze makes. It’s a transliterated Greek word that simply means “spoken instruction.” A catechesis was a systematic lecture for the purposes of teaching. In Christian thinking, the catechesis became a structured way of teaching converts the foundational elements of the faith. In Making Disciples Alex Fogleman suggests that we’ve largely forgotten about—or even seen as irrelevant—this system of training up new believers. And given that he’s Assistant Research Professor of Theology at Baylor University and director of the Catechesis Institute, he doesn’t believe that to be a good thing.
Throughout Making Disciples, Fogleman leads readers through a history of catechesis meant to reveal how modern Christian formation can build roots in ancient practices that have shaped minds, hearts, and souls for centuries. The book’s architecture is both historical and practical. In early chapters, Fogleman traces the rise of catechesis in the second- to fifth-century church, spotlighting figures like Irenaeus, Tertullian, Ambrose, Augustine, and so on.
Through this historical journey, he emphasizes that catechesis has always been more than memorizing answers or gaining head knowledge, but about shaping how one sees God, the world, and oneself in Christ. Fogleman really emphasizes the relational dimension of learning, talking about how the church formed communities, how teachers and learners become attuned to each other, and how habits are shaped through ritual and discipline.
The prose balances depth with readability and accessibility. This isn’t a catechesis as much as it is a historical primer for those creating catechesis. Fogleman moves readers forward into the future by looking backward into the past. It offers both a mirror and a map, reflecting how modern spiritual formation often leans toward innovation over tradition and pointing toward renewal through these time-tested practices.
Making Disciples is a compelling and timely call to reclaim catechesis. It’s not a relic of the past but as formative journey essential for the church’s future. Forgleman offers clarity without oversimplification, depth without intimidation, and above all a vision for discipleship shaped by the practices of the early church.