Schmalz was converted by Andrzej Wojdowski while at Strassburg University around 1592, and emigrated to Poland on graduation, after which he taught at Smigiel, Lublin, and t. Stanislaw Kot records that Schmalz became "a noteworthy example of the assimilative power of Raków".
A traditional view is that Smalcius put it together, perhaps with collaborators, from literary remains of Faustus Socinus.
[3][4][5] Another is that it was developed by Smalcius and Hieronim Moskorzowski (Moscorovius) in 1605;[6] others say Moskorzowski wrote it with Piotr Stoiński Jr. (son of Pierre Statorius) and Johannes Völkel, and Smalcius was the translator into German for publication in 1608.
[7] In any case the Catechism was constructed by disciples of Socinus, and Smalcius probably had a leading role.
[8] Moskorzowski exchanged pamphlets with the Jesuit Piotr Skarga, and Smalcius supported him.