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Blessings of the Faith
Reformed Confessionalism
If you’ve ever recited the Apostles’ Creed or heard that “man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever,” you’ve been exposed to historic creeds and confessions. But where did such writings come from? What purpose do they serve? And what blessings do they bring when embraced? Blair Smith answers these questions and more as he explains the history, rationale, and benefits of confessionalism—showing that confession is a practice that is grounded in Scripture and addressing common concerns.
Written for the church, the Blessings of the Faith series introduces and celebrates Reformed doctrine and practice—each book features a brief and practical overview of its topic with discussion questions and an extensive Q&A section.
Endorsements“I love this little book for its friendly tone, engaging style, and commendable clarity. Blair Smith offers what I consider to be the best brief biblical case for Reformed confessionalism.”
—Chad Van Dixhoorn, Author, Confessing the Faith
“Blair Smith counters every objection to confessionalism you’ve heard (or voiced!). . . . We need this book now more than ever.”
—Matthew Barrett, Professor of Christian Theology, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“A clear, deep, simple, and extremely useful introduction to the written summaries of the Christian faith and why they matter.”
—Andrew J. Martin, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Covenant Theological Seminary
“Blair Smith demonstrates that being biblical and being confessional are not opposed to each other. In each chapter we can see not only the truth taught in creeds, confessions, and catechisms but also how these truths come from Scripture. This is a helpful guide for being Reformed and confessional.”
—Cameron Clausing, Lecturer in Applied Theology and Missional Engagement, Academic Dean, Christ College, Australia
“Blair Smith has provided an accessible and pastoral introduction to the development and usefulness of confessions in the life of the church. His advocacy of the study of Reformed confessions as Trinitarian and Christocentric provides a firm basis for the development of Christian discipleship and an understanding of the church. This book is an invaluable guide for teachers and students alike.”
—Rob Norris, Senior Pastor (retired), Fourth Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Maryland
“With warmth and clarity, Blair helps us see not just why creeds and confessions are necessary but also how they benefit and bless the church. Whether for the first time, or by way of reintroduction, let him show you how wisdom from those who have gone before can enrich and enliven your discipleship as well as strengthen your church and family.”
—Jonty Rhodes, Author, Reformed Worship
Written for the church, the Blessings of the Faith series introduces and celebrates Reformed doctrine and practice—each book features a brief and practical overview of its topic with discussion questions and an extensive Q&A section.
Endorsements“I love this little book for its friendly tone, engaging style, and commendable clarity. Blair Smith offers what I consider to be the best brief biblical case for Reformed confessionalism.”
—Chad Van Dixhoorn, Author, Confessing the Faith
“Blair Smith counters every objection to confessionalism you’ve heard (or voiced!). . . . We need this book now more than ever.”
—Matthew Barrett, Professor of Christian Theology, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“A clear, deep, simple, and extremely useful introduction to the written summaries of the Christian faith and why they matter.”
—Andrew J. Martin, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Covenant Theological Seminary
“Blair Smith demonstrates that being biblical and being confessional are not opposed to each other. In each chapter we can see not only the truth taught in creeds, confessions, and catechisms but also how these truths come from Scripture. This is a helpful guide for being Reformed and confessional.”
—Cameron Clausing, Lecturer in Applied Theology and Missional Engagement, Academic Dean, Christ College, Australia
“Blair Smith has provided an accessible and pastoral introduction to the development and usefulness of confessions in the life of the church. His advocacy of the study of Reformed confessions as Trinitarian and Christocentric provides a firm basis for the development of Christian discipleship and an understanding of the church. This book is an invaluable guide for teachers and students alike.”
—Rob Norris, Senior Pastor (retired), Fourth Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Maryland
“With warmth and clarity, Blair helps us see not just why creeds and confessions are necessary but also how they benefit and bless the church. Whether for the first time, or by way of reintroduction, let him show you how wisdom from those who have gone before can enrich and enliven your discipleship as well as strengthen your church and family.”
—Jonty Rhodes, Author, Reformed Worship
- GenresTheology
144 pages, Hardcover
Published June 11, 2025
5 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 19, 2025
30 - “Scripture sits firmly above creeds, confessions, and catechisms. The authority of confessional standards must be checked by the even higher authority of the Bible…”
37 - “Just as Jesus drew out of his disciples and, in a relationship of communion with them, called them to confess his deity, so has God always been drawing out his people to confess his lordship from the early stages of their covenant life with him.”
40 - “…true faith has a mouth.”
49 - “A heretic is one who has abandoned the faith and whose teaching does not honor what God has said.”
60 - “In each denomination there are debates about the level of confessional subscription… how closely one holds to the theology or teaching of a confession.”
70 - “Yet some of the most ardent proponents of being “biblical” have been heretics. By going straight to Scripture without a confessional grounding, they mix their own limited understanding with the prevailing ideologies of their day, resulting in teaching that is a muddled mess.”
83 - “When Christians restrict their diet to what has been written and published in their own countries in the last decade, their faith will shrink down to the priories and concerns of a contemporary milieu.”
86 - “Christian growth is not a straight vertical line from our current condition to our glorification in Heaven… it is in the valleys that confessionalism sometimes does the deepest work.”
95 - “The vitality of a church depends on whether it draws on the living Word of God… ensures that it feeds on orthodox teaching rather than heresy or empty ideas.”
114 - “Reformed churches and Christians do not “make it up as they go” — rather, they are accountable above all to Scripture and, secondarily, to confessions and catechisms that contain the best summary of its teaching.”
117 - “Christian faith engages our whole being…”
124 - “Creeds orient worshipers to their Creator and Redeemer and remind us that we worship a triune God. Thus, they have a doxological function… and provide doctrinal nourishment…”
37 - “Just as Jesus drew out of his disciples and, in a relationship of communion with them, called them to confess his deity, so has God always been drawing out his people to confess his lordship from the early stages of their covenant life with him.”
40 - “…true faith has a mouth.”
49 - “A heretic is one who has abandoned the faith and whose teaching does not honor what God has said.”
60 - “In each denomination there are debates about the level of confessional subscription… how closely one holds to the theology or teaching of a confession.”
70 - “Yet some of the most ardent proponents of being “biblical” have been heretics. By going straight to Scripture without a confessional grounding, they mix their own limited understanding with the prevailing ideologies of their day, resulting in teaching that is a muddled mess.”
83 - “When Christians restrict their diet to what has been written and published in their own countries in the last decade, their faith will shrink down to the priories and concerns of a contemporary milieu.”
86 - “Christian growth is not a straight vertical line from our current condition to our glorification in Heaven… it is in the valleys that confessionalism sometimes does the deepest work.”
95 - “The vitality of a church depends on whether it draws on the living Word of God… ensures that it feeds on orthodox teaching rather than heresy or empty ideas.”
114 - “Reformed churches and Christians do not “make it up as they go” — rather, they are accountable above all to Scripture and, secondarily, to confessions and catechisms that contain the best summary of its teaching.”
117 - “Christian faith engages our whole being…”
124 - “Creeds orient worshipers to their Creator and Redeemer and remind us that we worship a triune God. Thus, they have a doxological function… and provide doctrinal nourishment…”
August 17, 2025
My favourite chapter in this book was "The Blessings of Confessionalism". As the title suggests, it was a wonderful reminder of the precious blessings we can gain from confessions, creeds and catechisms. It's not always an easy read as Smith delves deep into the history of Confessionalism... but it is well worth working through the "meatier" parts in order to truly appreciate the worth confessions, creeds and catechisms have on our lives as believers and the church.
October 7, 2025
A solid installment in a strong series. Has a very good chapter specifying the blessings of Reformed confessionalism. It was not always clear to me what exactly was meant by the dangers of an abused confessionalism. I assume that he was referring to obvious stultifying and formalistic tendencies that are pretty well evident in many ostensibly Reformed churches/people.
August 7, 2025
Not as impressed with this volume in the series. I wouldn't feel as confident handing this book to a total novice as I would, say, Rhodes's book on Reformed Worship. Smith uses technical terms like "Christology" without defining them, and the chapter on the development of creeds and confessions felt too short to be of much help. The Q&A section in the back was largely retread of the book's contents. I also think his advice about whether to leave a non-confessional church was shallow.
August 25, 2025
"True faith has a mouth. It speaks, confessing what the heart believes... While plenty of people with dead faith can recite words they don't believe, no one with living faith can remain silent. They confess."
August 2, 2025
My hot take is that everybody, literally everybody, should be confessionally reformed.
November 1, 2025
What place do the confessions have in the church today? In Reformed Confessionalism, D. Blair Smith shows that confession is a practice that is grounded in Scripture and good for the church.
This book explains how the confessionalism came about and also why it is important. I was most interested to read how they act as guiderails for the church, meant to unite us more than divide us. I am grateful for the clarity that confessionalism offers and also how it connects the church of the past with the church of the present.
To Ground and Guide in Biblical Truth
This small book is able to give a succinct history of creeds, confessions, and catechisms. Smith writes with warmth but also pastoral precision, addressing common misconceptions, questions, and arguments against confessions.
The creeds, confessions, and catechisms were not a part of my life growing up, although I wish that they were. I am motivated to match my preaching and teaching with the standards that come with the confessions as they help to ground and guide us in biblical truth.
I received a media copy of Reformed Confessionalism and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
This book explains how the confessionalism came about and also why it is important. I was most interested to read how they act as guiderails for the church, meant to unite us more than divide us. I am grateful for the clarity that confessionalism offers and also how it connects the church of the past with the church of the present.
To Ground and Guide in Biblical Truth
This small book is able to give a succinct history of creeds, confessions, and catechisms. Smith writes with warmth but also pastoral precision, addressing common misconceptions, questions, and arguments against confessions.
The creeds, confessions, and catechisms were not a part of my life growing up, although I wish that they were. I am motivated to match my preaching and teaching with the standards that come with the confessions as they help to ground and guide us in biblical truth.
I received a media copy of Reformed Confessionalism and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
October 24, 2025
This is a cogent little book about the importance of creeds, confessional statements and instructive catechisms for the church. I was not nurtured in a confessional ecclesiastical body. Over the years, I have grown to appreciate and profit from these documents of the church. And the author makes that clear. These creeds are not the product of an individual but are the product of many. And often they were born in conflict to clarify and define the elements of what a Christian believes. The author points out creeds extant in the New Testament. The chapter I appreciated the most was the listing the many blessings the creeds and confessions give to the church. In our democratized culture, this book is an important contribution.
September 23, 2025
I would give this one 4.5 stars. It very clearly articulates what confessions and catechesis are and why they are helpful in the life of the modern church. Dr. Smith identifies the historical tradition behind them and articulates some of the ways that they can and have been misused. He even includes a very helpful FAQ at the end of the book. would recommend it to people interested in why confessions and catechisms are important today! very short and concise as well!
August 23, 2025
Great, super concise book on confessionalism. Honestly, I bought the book not knowing anything about the series but saw Blair wrote it and wanted to check it out. It was way smaller than I realized it would be, and thus, far more basic than I realized. But, I plan to use this for training future teammates and interns and I think this would be perfect for that
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews