The Westminster Assembly: Reading Its Theology in Historical Context

by Robert Letham

The Westminster Assembly Reading Its Theology in Historical Context by Robert Letham. Published by P & R Publishing,2009, Paperback

Genres: Theology, History, Church History, Christian, Reformation, Christianity

Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Robert Letham (MAR, ThM, Westminster Theological Seminary; PhD, Aberdeen University) is professor of systematic and historical theology at Union School of Theology in Bridgend, Wales, and the author of a number of books, including The Lord's Supper and Union with Christ.

Reviews

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book cannot be described without superlatives. Letham is fantastically learned, and his is the kind of learning that sheds light on his subject, instead of doing what massive amounts of learning often does -- which is to cover a subject in deep darkness for all but a handful of peers. Letham does wonderful work here. If anyone wants to get a real glimpse into the debates that formed the Westminster Confession, this is the book for it.

I am a Westminster man, and this book describes the historic parameters of that description. My solitary complaint about the book would be a footnote on page 264. Other than that, this book was gold.

[Alex McEwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been surprised by how much I enjoy reading the “Westminster Confession.” Honestly, I read it for fun. And even more surprising, I actually think it does a pretty good job of summarizing what Christians ought to believe about Scripture and the Divine.

Which is why Robert Letham’s “The Westminster Assembly” felt like a bit of a letdown. I wanted to like it. Letham’s scholarship shines in spots, but overall, the book lands as a lackluster entry in an already crowded field of Westminster Assembly studies. It took me way longer to finish this than it should have because it was that dull.

There’s nothing seriously wrong with it. It’s careful and competent, but it rarely stands out. It reads dry, almost like a textbook that forgot it was supposed to inspire some wonder at one of the most remarkable theological gatherings in church history.

When it comes to the Assembly, I’d much rather read J.V. Fesko, who combines depth with clarity, or R.C. Sproul, who had a way of making Westminster’s theology come alive for ordinary people. Letham’s book works as a reference, but it doesn’t spark imagination or devotion.

The book breaks into three sections. The first, on the historical background, is probably the most interesting. Letham places the Assembly squarely in the chaos of the English Civil War and shows how it tried to corral, or at least manage, the various dissenter factions.

The second section looks at the theological context, tracing how the Assembly’s theology developed in conversation with the English Reformation, the Continental Reformers, and the Roman Catholic Church. There isn’t anything revolutionary here, but it’s organized and readable enough to hold your attention.

The final section was the weakest. Letham tackles the theology of the Assembly, but he only skims a few topics and avoids the deeper, stranger nuances that make the “Westminster Confession” so distinctive. The Confession differs sharply from its contemporaries, yet Letham sticks to the safe, uncontroversial parts. Whether you’re Presbyterian, wrestling through exceptions, or just curious about Westminster theology, this section doesn’t add much beyond what a dozen other books already cover.

Each chapter opens with a brief overview, followed by short subsections of two or three paragraphs. The result feels stuck in the middle. It isn’t deep enough for serious scholars and it’s too broad for lay readers. It’s the theological equivalent of ordering a cup of black coffee and getting handed a lukewarm decaf.

Three stars. Competent, informed, but never quite captivating.

Still, reading it reminded me how remarkable it is that a group of ordinary men, caught between war and reform, produced a confession that continues to shape both church and culture. Even dry scholarship can’t erase that miracle. The Westminster Assembly was messy, political, and brilliant, and it shows what happens when people truly believe Christ’s lordship reaches every corner of life, from pulpit to parliament. Their work didn’t just define a church; it helped reshape the world under God’s hand.

And maybe that’s why I keep returning to the Confession itself. It reminds me that even in the quiet, ordinary work of ministry, shaping hearts and minds matters. Christ still claims every inch, and even our smallest labors belong to Him.

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this volume Letham has established himself as the leading English-speaking Reformed theologian.

HOLY SCRIPTURE

Letham gives the basic Reformed understanding of Scripture.

Continuationism

It’s there, albeit in a mild form. Letham notes that William Bridge, George Gillespie, and John Knox received (or claimed they did; or others claimed they did) prophetic revelation. Letham is quick to point out this is only “providential” illumination of Scripture (127). Letham is correct that the Assembly felt no need to deal with this issue (nor would they have affirmed it), but other studies clearly demonstrate that the Scottish Reformation (both in its First and Second phases) saw manifestation of prophetic gifts beyond that of simply “illuminating” Scripture. When Cargill and Cameron prophcied the deaths of certain (specific) wicked men, they weren't merely "applying" the general sense of Scripture. If “prophecy” means illumination, then every pastor is a prophet! In which case prophecy is still valid today, but nobody reasons that way.

Part of the Reformed world's problem here is the presupposition that every prophetic utterance necessarily carries the full binding of God with it. In another place Wayne Grudem shows that is simply not the case.

God the Holy Trinity

Without passions…

Letham is aware that a hard division on God’s not having passions must take into account the fact that the Incarnation brought into true union with humanity. Jesus experiences human thoughts, human emotions, etc (162). Letham is certainly on the correct path, but the problem is much deeper (and this isn’t a slam against Reformed Christology; all Christological traditions hailing from the Chalcedonian definition must face this problem: does our definition of what it means to be a person today include self-reflection? If it does, then we are on the road to Nestorianism. If it doesn’t, is it really coherent to speak of person anymore?)

Letham gives a competent discussion on Creation, though one that will annoy many. He admits, contra many Klineans, that the divines likely held to six solar days, yet he points out that the more pertinent goal was to reject Augustine’s view of instantaneous creation. Further, what we must also admit, no matter where we land on this discussion, is that the divines did presuppose a geocentric cosmology which saw theology in spatial terms. Indeed, one wonders if George Walker even knew that the world is spherical (Letham 191 n.50).

Christ and covenant

“Condescension”

Makes the Klinean meritorious reading strained.
CoW, while perhaps the correct reading, is not necessary to maintain Reformed theology. It was developed over time and if Kline’s reading is correct, then huge swathes of Reformed theology would have proved defective before Westminster (233).
Covenant of Redemption?

Letham highlights a number of problems. While he doesn’t note the problem of person, if person does not include mind (which is usually subsumed under nature), then does it make sense to speak of three individuals who all share the same mind making an agreement? I’m not saying it is a wrong idea, and the CoR certainly preserves a few key values, but it does have problems.

Assurance

Great section on assurance and he places these (sometimes) painful discussions in their pastoral context, which context is often lost on critics of Reformed assurance. For the record, I agree with Goodwin pace Owen on the Spirit’s sealing.

Law, Liberty, Church and Eschatology

Great section on Law and Liberty--and he avoids getting involved in the painful theonomy disputes. Letham shows how the RPW should be read and interpreted in light of the Laudian imprisonment and persecution of Reformed believers. On another note, he points out how the Presbyterians really failed on clinching and continuing the “liberty of conscience” victory it justly won. I will elaborate:

Did the Solemn League and Covenant bind the consciences of those who didn’t vow it? Said another way, was Cromwell later on obligated to establish Presbyterian government? If he was, how does this square with what (Covenanter) Samuel Rutherford said, “It is in our power to vow, but not in the church’s power to command us to vow” (quoted in Letham 299)? Maybe the two points don’t contradict each other, but the tension is certainly strained.

And it appears the Presbyterians couldn’t maintain this tension. They chose to deal with the tyrant Charles I and supported (to their fatal regret later) the pervert Charles II. Cromwell’s victory at Dunbar is fully justified.

Conclusion:

This isn’t a commentary on the Confession. It is a theological exploration of the historical circumstances behind it. Letham’s scholarship is judicious, measured, and quite frankly awe-inspiring.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Letham has done a great service to us here. I read the first 130 pages a few years ago, but this time I read the whole thing, and it is so rich and full. The real value here is not that Letham expounds what the Confession teaches, which he does, but that he brings with his exposition, not his own idiosyncrasies or pet issues, but a thorough knowledge of the sources, the authors works, their own theology and the background to the discussions that led to the formulations of the Assembly.
Part 1 Historical Background
Part 2 Theological Context
Part 3 Theology of the Westminster Assembly

My Highlights

Page Comment
138 Sufficiency of Scripture. Clarifying the role of tradition and reason.
153 The Creeds
192 Creation
194 Providence: language of causality
206-223 Excursus on Imputation
226 Covenant of Works?
235 Covenant of Redemption and endangerment to the Trinity!
250 Excursus on Justification
290 Tuckney on 2 Peter 1:4
294 Law and NC
331 Baptismal Regeneration
333 Excursus on Baptism
348 Lord’s Supper

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Letham is working on the achievements of Van Dixhoorn, taking the minutes of the Assembly (as newly discovered and edited) to interpret the Standards in context of what we now know about the debates. Letham also looks at the Assembly's work in the light of all we know about the wider historical and theological setting. The result is a major advance in our understanding of the Westminster documents.

Letham is well placed to do this work. His knowledge of historical theology is wide, deep and up-to-date. His sympathies are squarely with the sacramentalism and ecclesiology of the divines. His reformed catholicity is such that he can defend the Assembly at every point but those very few places where some mild criticism is in order.

The five stars were sealed for me by how often he approvingly quotes my good friend Dr Moore. The writing style is also readable and attractive.

Loved it.

[Anthony Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good resource on the history of the Assembly. Letham proves himself to be a reliable historian, restraining himself from adding his own commentary and only reporting the history.

Understanding the setting of the Assembly helps give a fuller understanding and appreciation of its subsequent Standards.

Recommend to anyone even a little bit familiar with the Westminster Standards specifically or the Reformed tradition at large.

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 4 out of 5]

A high quality historical introduction to the Westminster Assembly via its primary source documents.

[Robert Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would just about COMMAND anyone proposing to stand for ordination in a presbyterian denomination read this book. For those of you who have been spared the cantankerous rancor of our internecine debates, the Westminster Standards have been co-opted as a hammar with which to crush those who are not as Reformed in their theology as they ought to be. Letham destroys this usage.

First, the credentials of Robert Letham are perfectly suited. He is a graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and can in no way of being a sympathizer or undercover agent of the "bad guys" (Theonomists, Federal Visionists, Norman Shepherdists, etc.). Second, he has done a thorough reading of Warfield, Hodge, Torrence, and everyone else who has ever critiqued the Westminster Assembly. Third, the publication of Chad VanDixhorn's infinitely detailed minutes of the Assembly are referenced throughout. Letham did all his homework and comes from the right breeding.

So it is, that when he comes to smash the sacred cows of the Crotchety Reformed, they will stay smashed. The Westminster Assembly was not about establishing THE right way, but instead casting as big a net as possible. The "big tent" approach may make for more roadbumps and disagreeable run-ins with people we don't like, but it has the official pedigree.

Personally, I have deleted several bits of minutiae I formerly thought were exceptions. Over and over again, Letham shows things were worded in such a way as to be as inclusive as possible while remaining biblical. I don't always agree with every word, but this book is invaluable to a right understanding of the history of Reformed theology.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding read, chronicling the process of writing the Westminster Confession of Faith. Great insight into the debates of the time, and how it effected the WCF. I think all pastors and theologians should have this as a "must read"!

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and comprehensive review of the Westminster Assembly in historical and theological context.

[Peter Bringe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Letham seeks to shed light on the assembly itself that produced the Westminster Confession and Catechisms and to explain the theology of the standards in their historical context. He does not seek to apply it to current issues, nor does he write it as an exposition of his own theology (though his own theology is not much different). "I cannot emphasize too strongly that this is not a discussion of the theology of the Westminster Assembly as amended by North American Presbyterianism from the eighteenth century onwards" (p. 3). "By focusing on the Assembly in context and refraining from addressing contemporary concerns, I expect that its theology may appear in greater relief and so be able to address contemporary concerns better than if they were intruded anachronistically into the text" (p. 7).

I found the book very helpful, especially since I was not as familiar with the English context as I was with the Scottish context (Letham emphasizes the English aspect since the assembly was English and since it has often been neglected since the standards have been mostly used in Scotland and North America). The section of the theology of the standards was not comprehensive, though it was detailed in points. Letham also uses recent research that Chad Van Dixhoorn has done on the minutes of the Assembly.

[Ian Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I would have known about this book earlier. This gives the most helpful summary of the history around the creation of the Westminster Confession and answers a lot of questions that I had.

- The only thing the Puritans disagreed with in the 39 Articles was the 20th article which gave authority to the Church to decree rites and ceremonies.
- Up to 1630, the Church of England was dominated by Calvinists. It was the appointment of Laud by Charles I that upset the Calvinist consensus of the Church of England. Under Charles, high churchmen were promoted and Calvinists were persecuted.
- In the civil war, both the king and parliament agreed that the church should be subject to civil authority but each wanted that authority.
- By the end of the First session of the long parliament, it was clear the episcopacy had to be abolished.
- One of the main tasks of the House of Commons, now that the episcopacy was abolished was to establish an assembly of Divines to provide a legal and theological basis for the church of England.
- The theological task was to show how the Church of England was in agreement with the Church of Scotland and the Reformed Churches abroad.
- The parliament, on the recommendation of knights and burgesses, selected representatives for the assembly. Most were Presbyterian but there was a wide variety.
- While only a few held Erastian views it was an Erastian body, under the jurisdiction of the parliament.
- The first task of the assembly was to revise the 39 Articles, but for greater unity between them and the Scots and the signing of the solemn league and covenant, it was agreed that there needed to be conformity in England, Scotland, and Ireland. This unity would find expression in a shared confession, polity, directory of worship, and catechism.
- Scholars of the Westminster Assembly and confession have neglected the English context for the Scottish one.
- The English reformers leaned heavily toward the theology of Augustine and the Reformed rather than the Lutheran churches.
- The assembly utilized sources. The general arrangement was derived from James Ussher and the Irish Articles (1615). Ussher relied heavily on the 39 Articles and the Anglican Catechism.
- Through Ussher, the 39 Articles were the major source.
- The Assembly was of great interest to the Reformed Churches on the continent and the Assembly was greatly interested in the Reformed Churches too. There was a ton of cross-pollination. The Calvins' Institutes was the textbook for theology at both Oxford and Cambridge. The Assembly wanted uniformity with the Reformed churches.
- The Assembly's debate and writings show they understood themselves in continuity with the historic church.

[Frank · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rather regret having read this book now. This is a book for the academically inclined and contains information which will be of no practical use to me whatsoever. The time taken to read it would have been put to better use. In other words, this book was an incredibly huge waste of my time. The reason I decided to read this is…well, to be honest I don’t know why I decided to read this book in the first place. I can only recommend that you give this book a hard pass and look for something better to read. Should you become temporarily insane so as to want to read this book be sure to keep a dictionary handy. There are a number of words that I’ve encountered reading this book that I haven’t encountered anywhere else and I very much doubt I’ll ever encounter them again!

One thing though, at the beginning of the section on page 314 to page 317 the printer chose to use a smaller font size than that of the rest of the book. This was an egregious typo that should not have gone unnoticed.

[Will Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Letham isn't a book you pick up to read for fun. Well, I guess that depends on how you define fun. I will say this: he is not enjoyable to read. But he is helpful to read. This work is more a go-to reference work than a sit down and read straight through work.

The book is broken up into three sections: First, the historical context. This is short, but helpful. Second, the theological context. Again, short but helpful. And last, the bulk of the book is comprised of digging into the theology of the Assembly. In my opinion the best chapters are 11, 12, and 13. His focus on union with Christ is excellent.

I appreciate how Letham is not afraid to say where the assembly's theology was lacking. And this work is a good reminder of the various amounts of debates, disagreements, and diversity within the assembly itself. This should give pause and perhaps a bit more theological humility to those who hold to a strict subscriptionism.

[Joseph Rizzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great. A very solid read, and detailed overview of the historical context, formation, and formulation of the Westminster Assembly. The work of this assembly has provided such rich confessional documents for the church. One of the interesting things to consider is that this assembly was convened at the behest of the government, or at a branch of a government in the middle of a civil war. Letham's work shows how the assembly drew heavily on previous reformation confessions / articles and on the scriptures. The work of the assembly doesn't cover every area of doctrine, but it covers important ones. He makes use of the extensive work of Van Dixhorn and the minutes of the assembly.

[Mark Trigsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the myriads of volumes on the Confession, Letham’s volume has a unique and very useful approach. It is a history of the Assembly considering political/ theological and contextual realities of the day. It is NOT a commentary on the confession; for that find AA Hodge, Van Dixoorn (The Great!), Robert Shaw or my personal favorite The original confession defender from Scotland, David Dickson (Truth's VIctory Over Error - Banner of Truth).

Instead of a running commentary, after an opening 84 pages of Historical and Contextual Background of the Assembly - That should be published on its own as a Primer to the Theolgy of the Assembly. The bulk of the book deals with the "Big Idea" of the chapters touching on the debates and personalities around their discussion and adoption.

I rate it 5-Stars and urge ever minister to have a copy and read, but more importantly have it within reach for any background or refresher needed about the creation of the Confession.

In full disclosure - I actually started the book well before Thanksgiving (2022) and just finished - I'm still counting it in my 2023 "Read" list. I know - but my goal is agressive this year. 100 books and the entire Bible at least once - so sue me!

[Justin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to read this for a class. Its historical contextualization is rigorous and fresh. It also goes above and beyond the simplistic glosses of the Confession which are applied to whatever theological issues are most pressing to that author. Letham brings to bear a lot of the situational pressures which created debate, and draws on Van Dixhoorn's notes on Assembly minutes.

[Ben Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc_Va...

[Joshua Reitano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredibly helpful book in understanding the historical context of the Westminster Assembly. Conservative Presbyterians are meticulous in examining context when it comes to reading and teaching the Scriptures. But we often act as if the Westminster Confession and Catechisms dropped from the sky, taking little care to understand the climate of their origination, and the debates that led to the particular language that was ultimately included in the Westminster Standards. Letham's book will go a long way in addressing this weakness. In the first half of the volume, the reader will get a lengthy history of the time period as well as the main participants at the Assembly. The second half walks through the Confession (with topical interludes particularly to the Larger Catechism), with special emphasis on the floor debates. Meticulously researched, Letham's analysis of the Westminster minutes give the reader a much deeper understanding of the diversity of views at the Assembly, and the compromise language chosen. Based on research alone, I'd rate this 5 stars. I gave it 4, simply because it's not a page turner and something you'll likely get jazzed about reading cover to cover. It makes for an excellent reference work and ought to be on the shelves of every Reformed seminary student and pastor.

A couple of quick and random observations:
1.) My biggest takeaway is the large diversity of views at the Assembly. This is not the impression you get from a lot of folks in the PCA. The debates were long and often heated, and at times the final language won by small margins. And yet, those on the "losing side" were not excluded from the Assembly. They were allowed to participate in crafting the rest of the document. Thus, the strict subscriptionism cannot be defended. It's historical anachronistic.

2.) I had no idea there were English hypothetical universalists at the Assembly (Calamy being the most outspoken, but Seaman, Marshall and Vines are mentioned as supporting this position). Note that hypothetical universalism is not the same as actual universalism. Hypothetical universalism wants to push back against particular (or limited) atonement, suggesting that Christ's death has affect for the whole world, and not just those whom he saves. Faith is the only thing missing for someone to procure the effects of the death of Christ. At any rate, it seems the Assembly included "4 pointers" and didn't tar and feather them.

3.) There was a HUGE debate on the imputation of the active obedience of Christ.

4.) Letham does not think highly of TF Torrance's work on the Assembly. Letham seems to think Torrance kind of mailed it in.

5.) The debates around the Sacraments were also interesting. Seems clear that while most Assembly members favored sprinkling, some preferred immersion and few wanted to exclude any of the three modes of baptism: pouring, sprinkling, or immersion.

6.) The regulative principle was meant to be a "freeing principle" rather than a restrictive one. Assembly members were objecting to Anglican policies of enforcing the Book of Common Prayer and other liturgical elements on ministers and their churches. The Assembly didn't reject these things wholesale, but they crafted their statements on worship to make Scripture the sole judge and prescriptor of "right worship.

[Bobby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Letham is clearly a top-notch scholar, and he provides good survey and interpretation of the Westminster Assembly; but he misunderstands TF Torrance's own theological program, and then tries to castigate Torrance's reading of the period through this misunderstanding. If often seems that he is driven, too much, polemically almost, in answering Torrance perceived misinterpretation of this period; in other words he presses the union with Christ motif in the LC in order to say to Torrance: "see, you were wrong, the Westminster Standards do include union theology." And this is precisely where Letham, surprisingly misses Torrance's critique. Torrance sought to ground and personalise salvation in the 'person of Christ' --- i.e. there is nothing 'instrumental' about it, as is the case for the WCF and LC's accounting; Letham even says that the Holy Spirit instrumentally applies grace to the heart of the elect in order to 'enable' them to respond. Again this is the kind of dualism that Torrance is critiquing, and that holds true whether it be in the WCF (or not) or in the Larger Catechism. Since Letham lifted Torrance up, usually as his whipping boy, and sought to answer and pumble Torrance by placing the WCF in context; he really really failed in this regard, because he fails to actually engage or grasp what in fact Torrance was about all along. Not only that, but Letham never engages the Scottish theologians whom Torrance appeals to in his book: "Scottish Theology." If Letham wanted to undercut Torrance's critique, from history, then he needed to engage these characters, at least a little . . . he didn't, so again, another real weakness.

[Jared Mcnabb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. This book should be required reading for seminary students, or any who wishes to have a "confessional" christianity. This book will not only help one to understand the theology of the Westminster documents, but also helps the reader properly appreciate them for what they are.

(The Westminster documents are consensus documents, and often the language is careful to allow various views. We would do well to continue to allow various views on theological topics to exist within the bounds of "Reformed theology" instead of declaring everyone who disagrees with us to either be out of accord with the confession, or even be "not reformed," as I sadly see happen very often. )

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone interested in understanding the Westminster Assembly's theology. Incredibly illuminating both because of Letham's expertise in the English background (political, historical, religious, cultural) that framed the Assembly's work and his use of the newly published/translated minutes of the Assembly (by Chad Van Dixhorn). Letham's judgments (when they do appear) seem right on, except perhaps for his over eager and quick dismissal of every single criticism lodged by Torrance, Barth and co. Still, this is a minor complaint; the book is a treasure.

[Andrew Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! Letham convincingly makes the case that the work of the Westminster Assembly must be understood explicitly as an attempt to revise the doctrinal basis of the Church of England and that its flourishing in Scottish and North American settings has obscured this fact. He brings out the particular brilliance of the work of the Divines, as well as points out their shortcomings. The Westminster documents are shown to be intentionally inclusive of a wide swath of Reformed positions on a variety of subjects.

[Justin Andrusk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a very objective view from a historical contextual viewpoint to the the creation of the Westminster standards. The book also gives a good defense for some of the baseless criticisms from Karl Barth and others who don't view all of the standards as a whole. For example there some points expounded by the Larger Catechisms that are not addressed in depth by the Confession of Faith. Very good read.

[CJ Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendous study of the Westminster Standards, and one that is much needed today. Letham courageously hammers modern reformed presbyterianism on its failure to appreciate the richness of WCF on the sacraments, its anachronistic application of the CoW as a litmus test, and its general line-drawing spirit in the face of the desire of the Divines to present a generic Calvinism that could embrace diversity of opinion.

[Shep · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stellar, balanced historical account of the Westminster Assembly that sheds light on the process by which its theological conclusions were formulated. On occasion I actually wanted MORE of Letham's personal opinion, but I value his decision to exercise restraint and simply portray the facts as accurately as possible. Tough to get through the historically superloaded first few chapters, but overall an enjoyable, intriguing, and informative read.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Letham’s work sets the table for further great study on the Assembly. His historical corrections and utilization of new primary source discoveries lay a solid trajectory for helpful scholarship. This is the new standard. It has given Reformed Christians insight into their rich heritage and should enrich our understanding of confessionalism.

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding analysis of the Assembly's theology, which turns out accommodated a broad swatch of reformed theology. Today's reformed Christians ought to be as catholic as the divines. Here is a good place to learn about what that means. Other than a mistaken conflation of the FV and New Perspective on Paul, this is top notch.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enlightening look at the Westminster Divines in their historical and theological context. The greatest thing Letham did throughout was to point out many of the points at which modern theologians try to read their own anachronistic theology back into the Westminster documents.

[Chris Comis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent historical study of the WCF. There is plenty of food for thought here, for both the strict confessionalist, as well as those trying to understand the Confession from a perspective outside the modern American Presbyterian box.