There are certain dimensions specific to a point in history that affect every thing that goes on... Catechesis or Faith Formation is so closely related to a person's daily experiences that these dimensions certainly have to affect the process of catechesis... Given the present times... I am looking to see what people who are engaged in research, think about the dimensions that affect the process of catechesis today!
The Roman Catholic catechism must address the recently (50 years or so) discovered Nag Hammadi scriptures which the Emperor Constantine and Athanasius decreed must be burned because they contained Gnostic or "mysteries" which were too mystical for the Church going forward. See TinyURL.com/EarlyChristianityVideo
Romney Biddulph's response points to the apologetic role of a catechism: i.e., to dialogue with and respond to "contemporary questions" that arise out of new discoveries and living in post-Christian times. This is certainly an important historical dimension of the work of catechesis that cannot be forgotten.
Another approach, however, is to consider that the purpose of a catechism also includes the nurturing and formation of faith. Viewed from this perspective the work of catechesis must certainly include reflection on "What does it mean to be a person of faith in a time that values the material, places its confidence in human agency, and hopes for that which is achievable through human effort?"
In my opinion, faith formation is highly dependent on two factors.
1. The experience of being loved and cared for in a community of faithful person.
2. Learning the narratives that brought that community together - both the historical/traditional (including sacred texts) and the narratives of the members of the community.
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