Truth's Victory Over Error

by David Dickson

Not just a history book, these lectures, delivered soon after the Westminster Confession was written in 1647, reveal the issues of that day with relevant application to today's errors, because many of the errors refuted within its pages have surfaced again in the 21st century. Christians today can learn a great deal from the faithful witness of former generations who experienced 'truth's victory over error.'

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1684

About the author

David Dickson (c.1583 – 1663) was a Church of Scotland minister and theologian. He was the only son of John Dick or Dickson, a merchant in the Trongate of Glasgow.

Dickson was educated at the University of Glasgow, where he graduated M.A., and was appointed one of the regents or professors of philosophy, a position limited to eight years. On the conclusion of his term of office Dickson was in 1618 ordained minister of the parish of Irvine.

Having publicly testified against the Five Articles of Perth, he was at the instance of James Law, archbishop of Glasgow, summoned to appear before the High Court of Commission at Edinburgh on 9 January 1622; but having declined the jurisdiction of the court, he was subsequently deprived of his ministry in Irvine, and ordained to proceed to Turriff, Aberdeenshire, within twenty days. When he was about to travel northward, the Archbishop of Glasgow, at the request of the Earl of Eglinton, permitted him to remain in Ayrshire, at Eglinton, where for about two months he preached in the hall and courtyard of the castle. As great crowds went from Irvine to hear him, he was then ordered to set out for Turriff, but about the end of July 1623 was permitted to return to his charge at Irvine, and remained there unmolested till 1637.

In 1643 Dickson was appointed, along with Alexander Henderson and David Calderwood, to draw up a Directory for Public Worship, and he was also joint author with James Durham, who afterwards succeeded him in the professorship in Glasgow, of The Sum of Saving Knowledge, frequently printed along with the Westminster Confession of Faith and catechisms, although it never received the formal sanction of the church. In 1650 he was translated to the divinity chair of the University of Edinburgh, where he delivered an inaugural address in Latin, which was translated by George Sinclair into English, and, under the name of Truth's Victory over Error, was published as Sinclair's own in 1684. The piracy having been detected, it was republished with Dickson's name attached and a Life of Dickson by Robert Wodrow in 1752.

In 1650 he was appointed by the Committee of the Kirk one of a deputation to congratulate Charles II on his arrival in Scotland.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent historical commentary on the Westminster Confession of faith that addresses the specific heresies in the 17th century and demonstrates the polemical nature in response to various groups such as the papists, Socinians, Quakers, Anabaptists, Lutherans, and Erastians. Some of the sections are shorter than others, but the argumentation is clearly laid out and the refutations still apply to many modern heresies such as Christological heresies and Annihilationism in the last two sections on the final judgment and eternal state.

Chapter 2 on the Trinity is an excellent exposition and defense of classical theism that still applies to modern debates today. Dickson used thomistic and scholastic categories of metaphysics to critique both the papists (transubstantiation) and the Lutherans (consubstantiation) on the Lord's Supper.

Unfortunately Dickson groups all Baptists into the category of anabaptists without distinction, so many of his critiques would not apply to the particular baptists. I did find his discussion of chapter 31 helpful as a contrast between the independent or congregational polity with a Presbyterian polity even though I disagree with his conclusions.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith. The title says it all: Truth's victory over error - this work in written in a very polemic tone, not unlike Turretin's "Institutes of Elenctic Theology." Each paragraph of the Confession is cited and expounded briefly. Several questions based on the preceding explanation are subjoined with a view to exposing error.

For instance, Dickson will have expounded a doctrinal point affirmed by the Confession. The he will say something like, "Then doesn't that mean that (insert errorist sect here) are wrong? Yes. How are they refuted? By these 5 things." He then presents a battery of Scriptural citations which demonstrate the falsity of the heretical sect he is refuting. So literally, in every point of doctrine, truth is victorious over error.

[Alex]

A very useful commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith. I consistently turn to it when considering a doctrine and/or the Confession of Faith itself.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great historical commentary from one of the Westminster Divines. Gives some good insights into the thoughts and contexts involved during the time of its writing.

[Taylor Rollo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very helpful primary source material on the teaching on the Westminster Confession and the original intent of the authors on various parts.

[Nathan White · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith set in the form of a catechism (question and answer). Easy to read, succinct, and loaded with scripture references for other study. I highly recommend the book. I hope to read through it slowly with my children, as it gives a great overview of the core doctrines of the Reformed faith, and does so in both a positive and a negative way (negative being how the author states common objections to the articles of faith and how scripture refutes them).

[Logan Almy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains Dickson's biblical and rational proofs of the teaching of the Westminster Confession and his refutation of the various heresies and errors.