Reformed Confessions Harmonized

by Joel R. Beeke (Editor), Sinclair B. Ferguson (Editor)

"A very useful collection, and, as far as I know, the only one of its kind. It should be welcomed by historians and theologians who are interested in the Reformed tradition."—I. John Hesselink, Sixteenth Century Journal

Despite the acknowledged importance of confessional statements throughout church history, the most significant of these documents have never before been published in a single volume. Now Drs. Beeke and Ferguson have harmonized seven important Reformed confessions into a convenient parallel arrangement.




The seven confessions were produced by three different strands among the European churches. From the Dutch-German reformers came the Belgic Confession of Faith (1561), the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), and the Canons of Dort (1618-19). The Swiss churches contributed the Second Helvetic Confession (1566). And the Scottish-English tradition was set down in the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646-47) and the Larger and Shorter Westminster Catechisms (1647).



The unique feature of this volume is the editors' arrangement of the various confessions in parallel columns under the traditional subject headings of systematic theology. Readers can compare the formulations on particular points of doctrine, such as the trinity, justification, Christian liberty, and baptism. While elaborating the differences that existed between the various national churches, the comparisons also underscore the fundamental unity regarding the basic tenets of the faith.



This confessional harmony is further enhanced by the editors' historical introduction to the subject. They also provide an extensive annotated bibliography of Reformed theological writings that will serve as a useful guide for readers who desire to undertake further study. In all, this is an important resource for students and pastors interested in the historical foundations of the Reformed tradition.

Genres: Theology, Reference, Nonfiction, Christian, Faith, Christianity, Church

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1999

About the author

Dr. Joel R. Beeke serves as President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Church History, and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has been in the ministry since 1978 and has served as a pastor of his current church, Heritage Reformed Congregation, since 1986. He is also editor of the Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. He has written, co-authored, or edited fifty books and contributed over fifteen hundred articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. His Ph.D. (1988) from Westminster Theological Seminary is in Reformation and Post-Reformation Theology. He is frequently called upon to lecture at Reformed seminaries and to speak at conferences around the world. He and his wife, Mary, have three children: Calvin, Esther, and Lydia.

Reviews

[Kyle Grindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful resource.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty cool idea. There are several creeds, catechisms, and confessions in the reformed tradition. So what if we categorized them all together based on topic? That way you can read, for instance, what the Second Helvetic, the Westminster, the Heidelberg, the Belgic, and other confessions say about the Doctrine of God, all together on the same page. Probably works best for referencing purposes, which the annotated bibliography appendices were outdated but still good and worth your time.

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing collection of the great confessions and catechisms of the Reformed faith. Each is wonderful to read by themselves, but when placed together and side-by-side, it is truly amazing to read.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good as a reference tool when studying church confessions.

[Dan Glover · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a harmonization of arguably the seven most important and widely used/accepted reformed confessions and catechisms. By the very nature of the work, it is utilitarian. What I mean is that each of these seven presentations of the reformed faith is better read in its entirety and straight through if you want to understand what the original writers were trying to accomplish, what they were battling against and the over all tone and spirit of the works. That way you get the continuity and flow of the particular document and doctrinal system. However, this tool is meant for those who would like a handy way to compare each of these seven statements of faith with each of the others on a particular point of doctrine and it does this very well. If you find yourself flipping through various books of confessions and catechisms with a small army of bookmarks and a ratty note book, this is the answer to your frustrations. However, if you would like to read any or all of these great statements of the faith all the way through, get them individually. In this format, there is too much repetition and skipping around (again, not a fault, just that this is a book designed with a very specific purpose in mind).

Along with the helpful annotated bibliography and introduction, it might be helpful if future additions included footnotes as to where in other confessions these same doctrines might be found (like in the Genevan Catechism, Luther's Catechism, the Anglican 39 Articles, the 2nd London Baptist Confession of 1689, etc.). Of course it would be nice to see an updated bibliography too.

[Chris Comis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Reformed dude should read this book. It is a very helpful look at the comparisons and contrasts between the three major Reformed traditions over the last 500 years. They are all set in parallel columns, so that it is easier to make the comparisons. Pretty revealing stuff when you're all done.

[Scott Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely valuable harmony of the major orthodox Reformed standards (Belgic and Westminster Confessions of Faith; Heidelberg and Larger/Shorter Westminster Catechisms, Second Helvetic Confession and the Canons of Dort). What a tremendous gift this is to the Church of Christ!

[Bobby]

Nice parallel look at the major "Reformed" confessions; although, unfortunately it doesn't include 'The Scot's Confession'.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful resource!

[Robert Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I review this primarily as a reference work.

[Stephen Checkley]

I am a huge fan of this work!! I keep it on my desk at all times. Brilliant...

[Matt Filbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provides a great study of the development of Reformed theology and has proven a very helpful book for discipleship efforts.

[Daniel Gutierrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful tool to compare Reformed Confessions.