A Faith To Live By: Understanding Christian Doctrine

by Donald MacLeod

A revised edition with a new chapter on Justification. The Westminster Confession of Faith has been described as the fullest and most carefully constructed exposition of the Christian faith ever written. People are sometimes daunted by its size but it was always intended to be a practical summary of belief, one that ordinary people could apply to their daily lives. The ideal person to open up this treasure to the church today is Donald Macleod, one of the finest theologians alive and Principal of a Presbyterian college that has the Confession at its heart.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Religion

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Donald MacLeod is a Scottish theologian.

Macleod studied at the University of Glasgow and the Free Church College before being ordained as a minister of the Free Church of Scotland in 1964. He served as professor of systematic theology at the Free Church College from 1978 to 2011, and as principal from 1999 to 2010.

In 1996, Macleod was cleared of allegations that he had sexually assaulted four women. The Sheriff court found that "the women had all lied in the witness box to further the ends of Professor Macleod's enemies in the Free Church of Scotland." A number of people who believed Macleod should be put on trial by the General Assembly then formed the Free Church Defence Association and ultimately a new denomination, the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). However, Johnston McKay notes that although on the surface the split was about Donald Macleod, he believes it was about theology since Macleod belonged to the more "modernizing" wing of the Free Church.

In 2011, a Festschrift was published in Macleod's honor. The People's Theologian: Writings in Honour of Donald Macleod (ISBN 1845505840) included contributions from Richard Gaffin, Derek Thomas, and Carl Trueman.

Reviews

[Mitchell Dixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

MacLeod gives an extensive explanation over the Westminster Catechisms of Faith. He seems to be well read in some areas more than others. The book really picks up about halfway through. MacLeod shares his own personal opinions and says where he believes his own denomination has lost its way at times.

[Isaac Butterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a grand book! A Faith to Live any, written by Scottish theologian Donald MacLeod, Is a scintillating summary of the Christian faith. I have entitled this review “A Manual of Christian Doctrine”—a prosaic description of a book that veritably sings it’s content—because it is a book to carry with you day to day. I have found myself vowing to reread it and, when I finish going through it, to read it yet again...and again. I want the author’s structure of Christian teaching, even his phrasing, to take root in my mind and shape the contours of my own thinking. (I read this book on a Kindle and had little awareness that I was approaching the end when suddenly, there was no more. I felt a wave of disappointment pass over me—disappointment not in the book, not by any means! but disappointment in that there was no new chapter to read.) Thorough and yet concise, this book is readable and engaging. It is almost like sitting across the table from this respected and eminent teacher, engrossed in a memorable conversation about the most important things in life day after day. How I would have loved fo be in this man’s classroom day after day. I think you will feel this way about him, too, so I urge you—whoever you are—seasoned believer, novice in the faith, or skeptic in matters of the soul—get this book and read it. I think, like me, having read it the first time, you will want to read it again!

[Robert Dillon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clear explanation of Christian doctrine. MacLeod's Scottish heritage and national church tradition comes through a little too strong in places, but this is not to detract from an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand work on what and why we believe what we do. Basic but biblical, a welcome antidote to tomes of Greek and Latin phrases.

[Cody Zedaker]

Not rating this one because I read it for a class I was taking at church the last few months. Very heavy theology that is more academic than anything so not necessarily a "fun" read but I learned a lot

[Ben Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life isn’t all about theology or having the right answers, but it’s so sweet to know clearly and definitively the ways in which Christ has, is, and will love us.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Perhaps my favorite one volume summary of Christian doctrine. It is readable and doxological. Wonderful for individual enrichment or group discussion.

[David Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

An introduction to Christian doctrine that combines MacLeod's great strengths of rigour and devotion. As usual not afraid tocourt controversy.