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Recovering our confessional heritage #4
A Toolkit for Confessions
As confessional Christians, we are convinced that our Confession of Faith summarizes the system of doctrine contained in the Holy Scriptures. We recognize that it is a human product, the fruit of centuries of Bible study and theological formulation, but I wonder if sometimes we forget that it is not a modern document in the strictest sense of the term. In fact, it could easily be argued that it is a late-medieval production, published at the very end of that era, just as the Enlightenment was to overwhelm European intellectual life. For this reason, it must be approached cautiously. If the perspicuous Word of God requires careful contextual study and interpretation, how much more so a document of human formulation? In reality, proper understanding of the Confession requires several things of us—familiarity with theological development throughout the preceding centuries, acquaintance with contemporary theological thought (especially in its Reformed variety), and an unwillingness to import twentieth- or twenty-first-century ideas into its words and phrases. This book is intended to assist the interpreter in doing these things.
144 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2018
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28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 5, 2018
There are two types of books. Those that are written to answer questions of 'today' and those that are timeless. With this short book Dr Renihan is seeking to show how Reformed, confessional Christianity should act in the world of 'today', and he does that by emphasising the need of grounding us in the historical faith of our forefathers, which is in fact timeless. Even at the back of the cover we see the reference to Jude 3 and that 'faith once delivered to the saints'.
144 pages, 11 chapters + appendix and 'for reading and reference' - that took me two evenings to devour. One could read through it much quicker, but that short book is packed with information, and it is beneficial to pause and think what the author is saying and observe the progression of thought. The book itself is written to explain the main questions about the 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith (2LBC), but that should not be seen as the only use for it - I bought a copy for a dear friend and brother who describes himself as an 'Independent Presbyterian' and is studying both WCF and Savoy. I judge it to be very helpful for those confessions as well, one because of how close these documents are and how interdependent not to forget the historical context of those 3 (WCF, Savoy and 2LBC) related documents. Two, it offers a clear, covenantal outline of the confession that ought to be applied to reading WCF and Savoy. When we say 'covenantal' it is not only because Reformed faith emphasises Covenant Theology to which all three (Presbyterians, Independents and Reformed Baptists) adhere to, but also because it shows how covenant is embedded in those confessions in the first place so it is not only limited to a few chapters or paragraphs. See for yourself how Dr Renihan explains the outline of the whole document, you will know what I am writing about.
The other thing that is immensely helpful is that 'reading and reference' section - which is not limited only to credobaptist sources. In fact, majority of those books and articles that Dr Renihan is recommending are coming from paedobaptist writers. This section is another one that stands out as the real goldmine. To come to a document that was written in the past with neglecting what those that wrote those documents were saying elsewhere is to limit ourselves to our contemporary situation. We are risking ending up as a good children of postmodernism that read our concepts and ideas into a document from the other era. That is why this Toolkit is so helpful. It safeguards us from going into that unhelpful direction and shows us the way to understanding the thought of the 17th century Reformed, so we will not be driving a wedge between us and them, but rather we understand and appreciate the historical faith, and we can rightly claim to be their heirs - and they were the heirs of those that preceded them (which you will see if you will read their writings for yourself and see their strong dependence on the earlier Christian writings).
Even if it surprised me that it found its way to the main body of the text instead of being placed in the footnotes, I really appreciate that short paragraph on the Oxford Dictionary of English. It helped me to buy the 2 volume edition without breaking the bank.
This is not the most comprehensive study of the subject, but it does not claim to be. But what it promises, it delivers perfectly. I am grateful for this book to the LORD and recommend it to the teachers in the Reformed churches of paedo- and credobaptist persuasion. Like those in the footsteps we claim to follow, we need to go back to the sources instead of trying to reinvent the wheel.
144 pages, 11 chapters + appendix and 'for reading and reference' - that took me two evenings to devour. One could read through it much quicker, but that short book is packed with information, and it is beneficial to pause and think what the author is saying and observe the progression of thought. The book itself is written to explain the main questions about the 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith (2LBC), but that should not be seen as the only use for it - I bought a copy for a dear friend and brother who describes himself as an 'Independent Presbyterian' and is studying both WCF and Savoy. I judge it to be very helpful for those confessions as well, one because of how close these documents are and how interdependent not to forget the historical context of those 3 (WCF, Savoy and 2LBC) related documents. Two, it offers a clear, covenantal outline of the confession that ought to be applied to reading WCF and Savoy. When we say 'covenantal' it is not only because Reformed faith emphasises Covenant Theology to which all three (Presbyterians, Independents and Reformed Baptists) adhere to, but also because it shows how covenant is embedded in those confessions in the first place so it is not only limited to a few chapters or paragraphs. See for yourself how Dr Renihan explains the outline of the whole document, you will know what I am writing about.
The other thing that is immensely helpful is that 'reading and reference' section - which is not limited only to credobaptist sources. In fact, majority of those books and articles that Dr Renihan is recommending are coming from paedobaptist writers. This section is another one that stands out as the real goldmine. To come to a document that was written in the past with neglecting what those that wrote those documents were saying elsewhere is to limit ourselves to our contemporary situation. We are risking ending up as a good children of postmodernism that read our concepts and ideas into a document from the other era. That is why this Toolkit is so helpful. It safeguards us from going into that unhelpful direction and shows us the way to understanding the thought of the 17th century Reformed, so we will not be driving a wedge between us and them, but rather we understand and appreciate the historical faith, and we can rightly claim to be their heirs - and they were the heirs of those that preceded them (which you will see if you will read their writings for yourself and see their strong dependence on the earlier Christian writings).
Even if it surprised me that it found its way to the main body of the text instead of being placed in the footnotes, I really appreciate that short paragraph on the Oxford Dictionary of English. It helped me to buy the 2 volume edition without breaking the bank.
This is not the most comprehensive study of the subject, but it does not claim to be. But what it promises, it delivers perfectly. I am grateful for this book to the LORD and recommend it to the teachers in the Reformed churches of paedo- and credobaptist persuasion. Like those in the footsteps we claim to follow, we need to go back to the sources instead of trying to reinvent the wheel.
July 4, 2020
A very helpful little book on how to read and study the great Protestant confessions of the English Reformation period. It will help the reader understand the historical and theological context in which they were written, and descriptions of resources and how to use them for further study.
March 19, 2023
If you read the 2LCF then you should read this.
September 2, 2024
A useful concise guide to studying the Second London Baptist Confession of faith using historical resources such as the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and Richard Muller's dictionary of Greek and Latin theological terms. It also discusses the importance of using 17th century documents, commentaries, and catechisms to properly interpret the confession in its historical context such as the Westminster annotations to study the proof texts in the confessions which were used to point to the exegetical tradition and interpretation of a passage, not the same as biblicist proof texts used by many modern interpreters.
This book is helpful for all studies of symbolics since it gives good principles and recommended resources to study historical documents without being anachronistic to read your modern presuppositions back into the text.
This book is helpful for all studies of symbolics since it gives good principles and recommended resources to study historical documents without being anachronistic to read your modern presuppositions back into the text.
October 25, 2018
Excelente livrinho para quem quer começar a levar a teolgia reformada a sério. Após essa leitura tenho ainda mais certeza de que a teologia reformada ainda não chegou no Brasil, visto que da lista de livros que o Dr James Renihan cita como essenciais para o estudo sério das confissões do século XVII, somente um se encontra disponível em português. Além disso, o livreto fornece também um panorama da estrutura das confissões de fé reformadas, assim como uma contextualização das mesmas. Alguns dos erros mais grosseiros que as pessoas comentem quando vão estudar as confissões também são tratados aqui rapidamente. Enfim, este livro pode ser muito útil como uma ferramenta incial para quem deseja realmente conhecer a teologia reformada.
July 26, 2022
This very short book is essentially the introductory lecture for a seminary class on the Second London Baptist Confession of 1689 (2LCF). It is an essential book for those studying the 2LCF like myself. The text provides a nice outline of the confession, but it’s key importance is the recommended references and books.
To truly understand this 1689 Confession, you need to understand the historical context in which it was written. The bibliography of this book provides 17th Century references for each of the 32 articles, which is a valuable resource!
To truly understand this 1689 Confession, you need to understand the historical context in which it was written. The bibliography of this book provides 17th Century references for each of the 32 articles, which is a valuable resource!
February 4, 2022
Very concise study guide for understanding the 1689 Baptist Confession. Not a commentary. Rather, as the name implies, he gives you tools for studying and understanding the Confession in its historical context, rather than potentially reading our own understanding back into the Confession where the two may be different. Anyone who wishes to teach through the Confession needs to read this book well in advance, or (like me) you'll wish you had.
June 30, 2023
If you’re a Reformed Baptist, and have never read the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith, let me suggest “A Tool Kit for Confessions”. This short little book as an introduction to the confession is a perfect companion to the confession itself.
Renihan offers tons of HELPS in the book to better understand the confession, as well as suggested reading for those that want to dive deeper.
Highly recommend this book.
“Take up and Read” - Saint Augustine
Renihan offers tons of HELPS in the book to better understand the confession, as well as suggested reading for those that want to dive deeper.
Highly recommend this book.
“Take up and Read” - Saint Augustine
August 2, 2019
A concise yet helpful book that I’d recommend to any who desire a deeper understanding of the confessions. It contains helpful interpretive tips, and though geared towards Particular Baptists, could also be beneficial to Confessional Presbyterians, Savoy Congregationalists (if any still existed), and even Confessional Lutherans.
January 2, 2022
I like this as a tool more than as a read (makes sense. It's a toolkit for reading confessions).
The resources recommended and the way he speaks of the confession is the focus. It's written in order, and wording matters in its historical setting. The logical flow, and the people involved help to understand confessions better.
The resources recommended and the way he speaks of the confession is the focus. It's written in order, and wording matters in its historical setting. The logical flow, and the people involved help to understand confessions better.
March 6, 2025
I have studied, written, taught, and completed seminary courses on the 1689--all before getting this little book.
If I had to do it all over again, I would most definitely pick up this little book. The bibliography on the 1689 and its chapters are worth 10x the price of the book.
If your church subscribes to the 1689 and you are either an elder or a teacher, get this book.
If I had to do it all over again, I would most definitely pick up this little book. The bibliography on the 1689 and its chapters are worth 10x the price of the book.
If your church subscribes to the 1689 and you are either an elder or a teacher, get this book.
May 25, 2019
This was a helpful tool (no pun intended) before I started studying the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith (or 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith). It’ll help with a good background and intro for a richer study of it. To God be the glory alone!
August 7, 2024
A nice, short book on important topics to consider and resources to consult when studying 16th and 17th century Reformed confessions, especially the 2nd London Confession. Helpful. Succinct. Interesting at times. The suggested reading list is great.
December 26, 2021
El Dr. Renihan ha escrito una gran ayuda para la lectura, estudio y enseñanza de la Confesión Bautista de Fe de Londres de 1689. No es un comentario a la Confesión, sino una serie de "herramientas" que acompalan la lectura de la misma: una bibliografía llena de libros que tratan sobre la confesión, un análisis de cómo están agrupados y ordenados los capítulos de la confesión, el uso del catecismo, etc. Es un libro pequeño, pero de gran utilidad. Recomendado a todo aquel que quiera profundizar en el estudio de la CBFL1689.
June 18, 2025
Este libro es una guía clara y profunda para entender mejor la Segunda Confesión de Fe de Londres (1689), ayudando al lector a apreciar su contexto, estructura y riqueza doctrinal. Renihan muestra que las confesiones no son reliquias del pasado, sino herramientas vivas que fortalecen nuestra fe, promueven unidad y nos conectan con la herencia cristiana histórica.
El libro nos impulsa a integrar el evangelio en la vida diaria al enseñarnos que la verdadera libertad cristiana consiste en obedecer solo a Cristo como Señor, en cada área de la vida personal, eclesial y social.
El libro nos impulsa a integrar el evangelio en la vida diaria al enseñarnos que la verdadera libertad cristiana consiste en obedecer solo a Cristo como Señor, en cada área de la vida personal, eclesial y social.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews