©2006, P&R Publishing Co., 279 pp. in hardback

The Westminster Confession of Faith was authored more than three hundred and fifty years ago. It contains the essence of Puritan understanding of God, His covenant with man, and the outworking of the covenant in creation. Someone may think there is little relevance of a centuries old document to life today. Such thinking would be wrong.

Confessions are written by man. They are systematic statements of the doctrine the authors believe the Bible teaches. Confession leads to deeds. We practice what we believe. The Westminster Confession remains relevant today as a faithful expression of biblical truth.

Sproul writes with an awareness that doctrine must be practical. He weaves in anecdotes and illustrations from his own life as well as aptly using his wide knowledge of theologians over the centuries. He provides brief, understandable summaries of some doctrinal controversies. These explanations aid one’s understanding of certain phrases and sentences within the Confession.

The first eight chapters of the Confession are explained in this volume. These include “God and the Holy Trinity", “God’s Eternal Decree”, The Fall, Sin and Punishment” and “Christ the Mediator.”  Each chapter of the book begins with the Confession chapter printed in its entirety. Then the author takes the reader through the chapter section by section. Scriptural references are abundant, but not overwhelming.

Sproul, the noted teacher, reminds readers that he is also a student. In the chapter on creation he uses several pages to explain the phrase “in the space of six days”. He briefly explains four current interpretations of the days of creation. The author admits that for many years he held to the framework hypothesis as a possibility. Now he holds to a literal six day interpretation. This, in itself, provides a good example to the reader. Each of us must be students of God’s word and constantly learning from it. We must be willing to change theological positions when convicted by our study of scripture.

The Confession was authored in the midst of theological controversy in England and continental Europe. Doctrinal controversy is present in any age. It is important that laymen and officers have a good understanding of doctrine in order to recognize doctrinal threats. This volume and the two volumes that follow this one to complete the set provide a good resource to deepen one’s understanding of scriptural teaching and to equip us to stand against error.

Review ©2008 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia