The Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, with Scripture Proofs

by Westminster Assembly

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. Although drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly largely of the Church of England, it became, and remains the 'subordinate standard' of doctrine in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide (with various changes it has also been adopted by some Congregationalists and even Baptists).

In 1643, the English Parliament called upon "learned, godly and judicious Divines", to meet at Westminster Abbey in order to provide advice on issues of worship, doctrine, government and discipline of the Church of England. Their meetings, over a period of five years, produced the Confession of Faith, as well as a Larger Catechism and a Shorter Catechism. For more than three centuries, various churches around the world have adopted the Confession and the Catechisms as their standards of doctrine, subordinate to the Bible.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Reference, Nonfiction, Religion, Christianity, School

307 pages

First published January 1, 1646

About the author

The Westminster Assembly of Divines was a synod composed of theologians (or "divines") and members of Parliament appointed to restructure the Church of England. It was called during the lead up to the First English Civil War by the Long Parliament, which was influenced by Puritanism and opposed to the religious policies of Charles I and William Laud. As part of a military alliance with Scotland, Parliament agreed that the outcome of the Assembly would bring the English Church into closer conformity with the Church of Scotland, which was presbyterian. Scottish commissioners attended and advised the Assembly as part of the agreement. The Assembly met for ten years (1643–53), and in the process produced a new Form of Government, a Confession of Faith, two catechisms (Shorter and Larger), and a liturgical manual for the Churches of England and Scotland.

Disagreements over church government caused open division in the Assembly, despite attempts to maintain unity. The party of divines who favored presbyterianism, or government by hierarchies of elected assemblies, was in the majority. However, political and military realities led to greater influence for the congregational party, which favored autonomy for individual congregations. Parliament eventually adopted a presbyterian form of government, but not to the degree the presbyterian divines desired. During the Restoration in 1660, all of the documents of the Assembly were repudiated and episcopal church government was reinstated in England. However, because of their acceptance by dissenting churches and the Church of Scotland, these documents became influential worldwide through missionary expansion.

The Assembly worked in the Reformed theological tradition. It took the Bible as the authoritative word of God, from which all theological reflection must be based. Though the divines were committed to the doctrine of predestination to salvation, there was some disagreement over the doctrine of particular redemption—that Christ died only for those whom the Father chose to save. The Assembly also held to Reformed covenant theology, a framework for interpreting the Bible. The Assembly's Confession was the first of the Reformed confessions to include the covenant of works, in which God promised life to Adam on condition of perfect obedience.

Reviews

[David Goetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my ... maybe fifth time through the Westminster Standards. The volume itself is beautifully bound--built to last. I don't know how its contents differ from those of the previous Banner of Truth version, but this one contains the following:

To the Christian Reader, Especially Heads of Families
Mr. Thomas Manton's Epistle to the Reader
Acts of Assembly and Parliament
The Confession of Faith
Appendix: American Revisions to the Confession of Faith
The Larger Catechism
The Shorter Catechism
The Sum of Saving Knowledge
The National Covenant
The Solemn League and Covenant
Acknowledgment of Sins, and Engagement to Duties
The Directory for the Public Worship of God
The Form of Presbyterial Church Government
The Directory for Family Worship

I think I gave the Standards three stars after my first time through, but these confessional documents seem to improve with each reading. They are precise and elevated and thorough while also being doxological, though admittedly in a different way from, say, the Heidelberg Catechism. For example, a friend of mine who currently lives in a halfway house just bought himself a copy of the Standards for Christmas and has been reading them devotionally every night before bed. Remarkable!

Tons of phrases stand out: Satan is said to make poor men "love ... their miseries and hug their own destruction" (xi). "A family is the seminary of church and state" (xiii). Faith is "the alone instrument of justification, yet it is not alone" (62). Each Christian finds herself engaged in "a continual and irreconcilable war" (69). "It is every man's duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins, particularly" (76). "The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered" (151). We are called "members of Christ's mystical body" (152) and called to offer "a spiritual oblation of all possible praise" in the Lord's Supper (153). At the resurrection, "the bodies of the just shall be made conformable to Christ's own glorious body" (165) and brought into "the comfortable presence of God" (199), where we will be "fully and forever freed from all sin and misery" (253) and will experience "the immediate vision and fruition of God" (253). "As [the Lord] brought Israel out of their bondage in Egypt, so he delivereth us from our spiritual thraldom" (266). Those baptized have "given up their names to Christ" (378), and worthy receivers of the Lord's Supper "feed upon Christ's body and blood" (379). We who in Adam are "inclined to lie still" (476) are called in Christ to be "students of holiness" (479). "Not believing in Jesus Christ ... is a greater and more dangerous sin than all other sins against the law" (483). "Christ loveth to have believers so united to him ... that there may be a mutual inhabitation of them in him, by faith and love; and of him in them, by his word and Spirit; for he joineth these together ... as things inseparable" (504). "We have no cloak for our sins" (556). And so on!

[Aid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very true, very Biblical.

[Alex Kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic

[Keith Kresge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing. Clear. Beautiful.

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve found this confession of faith and these catechisms to be highly instructive and edifying.

A slow reading of these pays significant dividends.

[Erik Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always identified as a Presbyterian Christian. I've always had faith in my lord and savior Jesus Christ, and I've prayed every single night since I was confirmed when I was 13. Over the past year and a half, I've wanted to get a better understanding of Christianity and my faith. I was even looking at other denominations as part of my journey, and even considered converting to Orthodoxy at one point.

However, I decided to stay within my denomination, and The Westminster Confession of faith is a big part of that.

The Westminster Confession of Faith was written in the 1600s as a way for Presbyterians to codify what they believe in. There are some things present that I already knew, for example, we don't hold to the Apocrypha, we believe that scripture is the final limiting factor on how churches should be run, we believe baptism is a covenant that will save true believers, and that the only sacraments we recognize are baptism and communion. I didn't know how we view providence, or how deeply the enlightenment influenced Reformed Christianity. After reading this ponderous tome, I felt a better understanding of how ecumenical us Reformed Christians really are. I've always believed all denominations of Christianity are valid. This text helped me visualize this belief further: Orthodox, Catholic, Reformed, Evangelical, we're all just different flavors of ice cream. The ice cream itself is our relationship with Jesus Christ, and the sweetness is the promise of the reformation of this world itself.

Whether you're a Presbyterian, a Christian in general, or perhaps a historian or someone curious about the Presbyterian faith, there's a lot to dive into here. If you do read this, I hope you'll get as much out of it as I did. God bless!

[Jordan Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best version of the Westminster Standards I have come across.

It includes:
-Introduction by Thomas Manton
-Westminster Confession with all proof texts
-Westminster Larger Catechism
w/ proof texts
-Westminster Shorter Catechism w/ proof texts
-The Sum of Saving Knowledge
- The National Covenant and Solemn League and Covenant
-Directory for Family Worship
-Directory for Public Worship
-The Form of Presbyterial Church Government

The quality and production is excellent, as with all Banner Books.

I particularly appreciate the extensive proof texts included immediately following each paragraph or question. If you’re looking for a comprehensive compilation of The Westminster Assembly documents, look no further.

Of note, the Westminster Larger Catechism is unparalleled, in my opinion, in demonstrating the third use of the law in its exposition and explanations of the moral law (questions 91-152).

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accurate and concise statement of Christian doctrine.

[Jon Chin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing read for a non-Presbyterian Christian growing up in an Assemblies of God church (I affirm the WCF and Reformed Theology for at least 3 years now). This has truly had a hand in shaping my current ystem of belief while shedding some light on the history of the church in the 1600s in Scotland/England. Some very useful tips on the Directory of Public Worship and the Form of Church government was especially interesting to read.

If there was one thing to make it 5 stars: please release a revised edition with more contemporary English. I had to Google what a "kirk" meant and my first language is English :D

Highly recommend all Christians from all denominations (Catholics included) to try reading this as an exercise in understanding the post-reformation (1500s) church history a little better, and if you're a Presbyterian, you better brush up before you let a "Pentecostal/Non-denom" tell you about your rich church traditions (all in good conscience and light-hearted joking! :))

[Stephen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary. This is the first time I've read through the Westminster Standards, and I was glad I did so, along with the accompanying historical documents. It really gives a full picture of the divines' view of the Christian life. During this reading, I didn't read through all of the Scripture references thoroughly, but I hope to do so when I read through it again and I'm really glad the Banner version conveniently provides the Scripture for easy reference.

This is such richly edifying material. Of course I'm glad that I read it as an adult, but I can't help but feel disappointed that it took me this long to get to it. I'd be delighted to see every Christian get a copy of this and carefully work their way through the thoughtful doctrinal feast spread on every page.

[Russell Randolph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel weird rating this 3 stars, but it is hard to understand, so I am gonna have to read more to decide everything I feel about it.
Some stuff was really well said and o think reading confessions is very important, so I recommend you do that

[Jackson Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh, I love the smell of Presbyterianism in the morning. One of the greatest documents in the history of the church.

[Mike Bright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more of a reference, although it was good to go through the whole thing again. This version has extensive Scripture references for the Westminster Confession, the Larger Catechism, and the Shorter Catechism.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

So great to read this all the way through(thank you, Pastor Jason). The larger catechism is so great!!!! Deserves to be read more, need to return to it. Also, what an unexpectedly huge blessing to the ministry of counseling in my life. I find myself referencing this all the time in meetings.

[Mace Wilder · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for any Christian's bookshelf, but get the version with proof texts so you can do your own study into the catechism's answers. Some proof texts missed, being out of context, but for the most part the answers are foundational and the proof texts are great launching points for further studies.

[Jessica]

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a statement of Reformed Christian beliefs created during the Westminster Assembly in the 17th century, covering topics like God, salvation, the church, and Christian living. For WCF commentary, I plan to use Robert Shaw's classic The Reformed Faith - An Exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith.

Shorter Catechism: It consists of 107 questions and answers. Designed to be simpler and shorter, making it easier for children and new believers to understand the basics of the Christian faith.

Larger Catechism: This is much more detailed, consisting of 196 questions and answers. It provides a deeper and more thorough explanation of doctrine, making it suitable for adults, theological students, and those seeking to go deeper into the Christian faith.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious pic.

Excellent collection of doctrine. The Larger Catechism helps expand the Decalogue in surprising ways. Some comments here and here.

It wasn't required for my prelims (2015), but chapters 20, 23, and 31 were useful for my religion exam. Towards the end of the same year it was required reading for officer training at church.

[Sean Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe that I was never assigned to read these Westminster goods before, not in any church theology class or systematic theology class at four different Bible training institutions. The Confession and Catechisms are not only historical headwaters, they are actually helpfully clear. I can't agree with every line; I've not been persuaded into Presbyterianism by the proof-texts. But again, this is a great set of documents.

[Vagabond of Letters, DLitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This omnibus contains the Metrical Psalter and the full text and notes to:

1. The WCF
2. Both Catechisms
3. All three parts of the Sum of Saving Knowledge
4. The National Covenant and all related Acts of Parliament
5. The Solemn League and Covenant (ditto) - 4,5 foundational documents of Covenanter political theology
6. The Directory of Public Worship
7. The Directory of Private Worship
8. The Presbyteral Form of Government

[sch · Rating 3 out of 5]

2015. Rereading now that my first year of teaching has concluded. This time I'm struck by the documents' participation in an old and venerable philosophical and theological tradition. The authors belong to the same thought-world as my pagan, Catholic, and Protestant heroes, though they frequently disagree on particulars.

As before, I am frequently unconvinced by the "Scripture Proofs" in the Confession. I skipped the Scripture Proofs in the two Catechisms.

[Jonathan Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Being numbered among the throng of individuals currently attending a non-reformed, vaguely charismatic church with its ingredients of shallow music, a heaping cup of Sunday morning Ted Talks, with a dash of therapeutic theology; I must submit that reading the Westminster Confession along with its catechisms was to me, as Lewis would say, “...red beef and strong beer.”

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just stunningly wonderful to read and study. I have enjoyed reading WCF especially with all the scripture proofs. Wow. Amazing to read the 'roadmap' where all the doctrine of the Presbyterian reformers is laid out in a framework for understanding Scripture.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

The definitive work of Reformed theology. Relatively easy read. Very dated. Highly recommended to those who are looking to subscribe to a full-orbed Reformed theology or those seeking an understanding of the system of theology and practice.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely the edition to get. It comes with the Confession and both Catechisms, plus other documents from the assembly. It also includes the proof texts that were added in. Must reading.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb. I thought the 1689 London Confession was brilliant, but this is even better.

[Rob Steinbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duh... read this... I'm still working through it and it will always be within reach on the shelves whenever I'm digging into any theological study.

[Michael Kidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no way I could, in good conscience, give anything less than five stars to this piece of history.

[Kiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

First penned in 1646, this confession of faith has been a standard summary of doctrine and practice for many Reformed Protestant traditions. Having grown up non-denominationally and formally trained to be skeptical of confessions and traditions, my journey into and through church history and it’s documents is one of discovery, sometimes to horror, but often to delight. I do find the confessions of the Protestant tradition delightful, and the Westminster is in many ways the greatest of them. If for nothing other than its window into the thought and practice of its age, it’s valuable. But honestly, though traditions vary tremendously in their doctrines, there is something for everyone in the WCF. For the traditions that make it their standard and rule, like Presbyterians, it’s a fare representation of orthodoxy, and the settlement of many secondary disputes that every expression of faith must make decisions about.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

“1.7 All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed, for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.”
—
“12.1 All those that are justified, God vouchsafeth, in and for His only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption: by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God; have His name put upon them; receive the Spirit of adoption; have access to the throne of grace with boldness; are enabled to cry, Abba, Father; are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by Him as by a father; yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption, and inherit the promises, as heirs of everlasting salvation.”

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not necessarily being persuaded by every point, or fully interpreting some reference passages in line with the Westminster Divines; one cannot deny the sheer historical weight that greets you upon working through the Westminster standards.

My first time reading through them was on the whole very enjoyable and challenging. Every word felt meticulously placed; the logic from chapter to chapter necessarily flowing without confusion or interruption. If nothing else, the system is rigorously detailed and organised.

It's place within the church history, and especially within protestantism cannot be understated. And as more churches begin the work of theological retrieval, I'm sure this document will return to the forefront of discussion.