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Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms: A Reader's Edition
Understand Foundations of the Christian Church through These Historic Statements of Faith For centuries, followers of Jesus have used creeds and confessions to express their Christian beliefs. Summarizing key truths from Scripture into succinct statements, these words have shaped the church for generations and continue to teach and inspire believers today. Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms gathers 13 of Christian history's most important documents―including the Apostles’ Creed, the Belgic Confession, and the Heidelberg Catechism―into one beautiful collection. Each text includes an introduction from editor Chad Van Dixhoorn that explains its origins and significance to the early church. By learning and revisiting these timeless confessions of faith, readers can grow spiritually and learn more about Christian history.
480 pages, Hardcover
Published June 21, 2022
118 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
About the author
Chad Van Dixhoorn
23 books19 followersChad Van Dixhoorn (PhD, Cambridge University) is professor of church history at Westminster Theological Seminary and a former pastor in the United Kingdom and in Virginia. He is the author of Confessing the Faith and God’s Ambassadors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 12, 2023
Make creeds, confessions, and catechisms cool again.
July 16, 2022
Creeds, Confessions, & Catechisms is a compilation of the major historic documents that have nurtured the church for the past two thousand years. Chad Van Dixhoorn offers a short explanation of each document, giving the historical context and theological impetus for writing.
Creeds, Confessions, & Catechisms is a much-needed book for our times, especially since theology is being downplayed in so many churches. It is a vivid reminder of the depth and breadth of Scripture and beckons readers to dig deeply into God’s truth.
This beautiful book would be a gift for a graduate or pastor. It is a welcome addition to any theological library.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
Creeds, Confessions, & Catechisms is a much-needed book for our times, especially since theology is being downplayed in so many churches. It is a vivid reminder of the depth and breadth of Scripture and beckons readers to dig deeply into God’s truth.
This beautiful book would be a gift for a graduate or pastor. It is a welcome addition to any theological library.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
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November 1, 2024Continuing from Trueman's book "Crisis of Confidence", I thought I'd look more into the major historical confessional documents of the various Protestant traditions. I found many of these documents really engaging on many levels - theologically of course, but also pastorally.
It was also a very stimulating historical exercise: seeing how doctrines and their vocabulary have developed and strengthened over time; reading how closely the Reformers were tying themselves to the historical and patristic church; learning about the specific historical circumstances that led to each document's composition; and comparing the differences across the confessions, of which there really weren't many other than theologies of the sacraments and the church. Van Dixhoorn's introductions throughout were helpful in orienting this historical layer for me.
Biggest areas of further interest for me from reading this are the Athanasian Creed, the Belgic Confession (and the life of its author, Guido de Bres), and the contrasting ecclesiology in the Westminster Confession and the London Baptist Confession.
I didn't read the Heidelberg Catechism (because Kaila and I are going through it slowly together) or the Westminster Shorter Catechism (because it's almost entirely contained in the Westminster Longer Catechism).
It was also a very stimulating historical exercise: seeing how doctrines and their vocabulary have developed and strengthened over time; reading how closely the Reformers were tying themselves to the historical and patristic church; learning about the specific historical circumstances that led to each document's composition; and comparing the differences across the confessions, of which there really weren't many other than theologies of the sacraments and the church. Van Dixhoorn's introductions throughout were helpful in orienting this historical layer for me.
Biggest areas of further interest for me from reading this are the Athanasian Creed, the Belgic Confession (and the life of its author, Guido de Bres), and the contrasting ecclesiology in the Westminster Confession and the London Baptist Confession.
I didn't read the Heidelberg Catechism (because Kaila and I are going through it slowly together) or the Westminster Shorter Catechism (because it's almost entirely contained in the Westminster Longer Catechism).
November 23, 2025
I mean, c'mon! I expected to be struck by distinctions, but I was pleasantly surprised by the unity of confession throughout. Truly, truly we are one holy catholic and apostolic church! Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.
April 1, 2025
So you call yourself “Reformed” but you’ve never read the Reformed Confessions? It’s time to change that.
And how can you claim to be “orthodox” in your Christian faith if you’ve never read the ancient ecumenical creeds!?
A robust view of Trinitarianism and Christology is the foundation for the rest of theology.
What you’ll notice reading the ancient creeds together with the Reformed confessions is the catholicity of the Reformed tradition.
This isn’t about nerdy theology, this is about helpful theology. I can’t tell you for how long I struggled with “assurance” even as a “Calvinist” until I read the Westminster. Or how long I struggled with my theology on Sanctification until I read Calvin’s “Little Book” and the Westminster on Sanctification. And lastly, I can’t tell you for how long I grappled with trying to understand Covenant Theology and what to do with The Law of God, until after I read the Westminster.
So maybe I’m just telling you to read the Westminster. But don’t snooze on the Augsburg Confession, 39 Articles, and Heidelberg Catechism either.
We get so caught up trying to read the modern authors. They are usually less helpful. Go back to the source.
And how can you claim to be “orthodox” in your Christian faith if you’ve never read the ancient ecumenical creeds!?
A robust view of Trinitarianism and Christology is the foundation for the rest of theology.
What you’ll notice reading the ancient creeds together with the Reformed confessions is the catholicity of the Reformed tradition.
This isn’t about nerdy theology, this is about helpful theology. I can’t tell you for how long I struggled with “assurance” even as a “Calvinist” until I read the Westminster. Or how long I struggled with my theology on Sanctification until I read Calvin’s “Little Book” and the Westminster on Sanctification. And lastly, I can’t tell you for how long I grappled with trying to understand Covenant Theology and what to do with The Law of God, until after I read the Westminster.
So maybe I’m just telling you to read the Westminster. But don’t snooze on the Augsburg Confession, 39 Articles, and Heidelberg Catechism either.
We get so caught up trying to read the modern authors. They are usually less helpful. Go back to the source.
October 12, 2022
I’ve been working through this as part of my devotional readings for the past months, and would recommend anyone interested in the historic Protestant documents of faith to do so as well. The edition itself is beautifully done, with a lovely binding and informative introductions to each document.
However, at points Van Dixhoorn makes editorial decisions that obfuscate the impact of these documents. Of utmost significance is his choice in editing the Belgic Confession and Westminster Confession of Faith. In his introduction to both these documents, he notes that the sections on civil government/magistrates have been contentious and were revised by later theological inheritors. However, in the text itself he chooses to footnote the original language and leave the revised language in the text’s body. His doing so may be an editorial choice to make these confessional writings on civil government less offensive for an American/baptist audience (he is published by Crossway of course) but it occludes the nuances of magisterial Protestant political theology. This choice is unnecessary and the privileging of revisions should be reversed.
I would still recommend this fabulous edition to anyone who is interested in learning more about these historic documents. It’s as edifying as it is informative.
However, at points Van Dixhoorn makes editorial decisions that obfuscate the impact of these documents. Of utmost significance is his choice in editing the Belgic Confession and Westminster Confession of Faith. In his introduction to both these documents, he notes that the sections on civil government/magistrates have been contentious and were revised by later theological inheritors. However, in the text itself he chooses to footnote the original language and leave the revised language in the text’s body. His doing so may be an editorial choice to make these confessional writings on civil government less offensive for an American/baptist audience (he is published by Crossway of course) but it occludes the nuances of magisterial Protestant political theology. This choice is unnecessary and the privileging of revisions should be reversed.
I would still recommend this fabulous edition to anyone who is interested in learning more about these historic documents. It’s as edifying as it is informative.
September 19, 2025
This is a wonderful collection of all the great Protestant confessions, and my soul benefitted greatly from reading them. I especially enjoyed the Augsburg and Belgic Confessions, and the Heidelberg Catechism.
February 20, 2025
It’s a shame the church doesn’t value its creeds, confessions, and catechisms anymore. Make the church 3C again. Catechize them kids.
September 6, 2025
As someone wanting to get a little more immersed in church history, this helped me do just that. Van Dixhoorn’s introductions are short and concise and the creeds, catechisms, and confessions reveal a rich and encouraging history of orthodox doctrine.
December 3, 2023
Beautiful. Will probably refer back to this book often!
May 8, 2024
Excellent selections and beautifully formatted. My heart was refreshed over and over reading through these confessions/creeds.
July 23, 2022
This is a gorgeous volume and an exceptionally well made hardcover for this time in publishing. The binding is hand sewn and with reasonable care it will last a lifetime. The cover looks like it’s embossed but I believe it’s screened with gold details. An high gloss slip leaf surrounds the back cover giving brief details about the book and author/editor of information for this volume. This saved Crossway from ruining the beautiful back cover for those who purchase the book. Both the front and back have stunning end papers and there’s a single ribbon marker to complete this highly giftable package.
Chad Van Dixhoorn, editor/author, begins this project with an introduction to “Creeds, Confessions, & Catechisms”. In it, he explains that the13 that are included are in no way the total representation of these items but that they are those most representative of the Reformed Christian churches. He gives a very brief history, time and place for the Protestant Reformation, Luther thesis, and so forth. The same is done for each of the 13 documents but keep in mind, it is VERY brief. You won’t be able to complete any research projects from this book.
After the 13 documents there is a word index that includes subjects, phrases and names and a scripture index from Genesis thru Revelation to complete this reference book.
All things considered, a must have for home and church libraries📚
Edit
Chad Van Dixhoorn, editor/author, begins this project with an introduction to “Creeds, Confessions, & Catechisms”. In it, he explains that the13 that are included are in no way the total representation of these items but that they are those most representative of the Reformed Christian churches. He gives a very brief history, time and place for the Protestant Reformation, Luther thesis, and so forth. The same is done for each of the 13 documents but keep in mind, it is VERY brief. You won’t be able to complete any research projects from this book.
After the 13 documents there is a word index that includes subjects, phrases and names and a scripture index from Genesis thru Revelation to complete this reference book.
All things considered, a must have for home and church libraries📚
Edit
July 12, 2024
I have wanted to start researching theological history, and this book seemed as good a place as any. The title sums it up, a compilation, with a brief historical background on each. There is a great general and scriptural index which is super helpful.
The book's layout, from the nice hardcover to the print it even includes a page marker. The nice thing about this book is that it makes a great resource for teaching in a church setting or at home for the family altar.
I would recommend this book for those interested in studying theological history it is 334 pages long of course this doesn't include the indexes.
The book's layout, from the nice hardcover to the print it even includes a page marker. The nice thing about this book is that it makes a great resource for teaching in a church setting or at home for the family altar.
I would recommend this book for those interested in studying theological history it is 334 pages long of course this doesn't include the indexes.
September 19, 2024
Very helpful collection of the historic creeds and confessions of Christianity!
April 6, 2025
A great compendium. Beautifully bound, with helpful historical notes within.
January 26, 2024
The creeds and the Heidelberg and Westminster Shorter Catechisms are five star material. We couldn’t get through the longer catechism and Belgic Confession—-language too dense and antiquated. The Canons of Dort were also too much as we were reading this book aloud with kids in the mix.
June 12, 2024
Must-read for all Christians who are seeking to have a faith that has been tested by time and not blown around by every wind of modernity.
I would’ve given it 5 stars if it wasn’t for Dixhoorn’s editorial decision to amend the sections on political theology to conform to the newer, more modern American revisions. The older is better. Other than that, it’s great.
The Christian faith has always been and always will be a confessional faith. “No creed but the Bible” and similar reductionistic attitudes are simply incompatible not only with the actual practice of the early church, but as is evident in the Reformational confessions collected in this book, they are also incompatible with the actual practice of the Christians of the Reformation who championed the sole infallible authority of Scripture.
A careful examination of the sections on Scripture in the Protestant confessions will demonstrate how the Christians of this era saw that confessionalism is not only perfectly compatible with believing that God’s word is the highest authority in the church, but also how confessionalism is incredibly helpful in preserving this belief.
Dixhoorn’s collection of the ecumenical creeds is immensely edifying for devotionals, especially for meditating and contemplating Christology and the nature of God. And the confessions and catechisms in the latter half of the book are an excellent guide for understanding the highest and best articulation of theology the Church has produced.
The introductions were very helpful in understanding the historical context for each of the entries, and the translations were very accessible without sacrificing precision.
Highly recommend, I’ll be regularly reusing this volume for the foreseeable future.
I would’ve given it 5 stars if it wasn’t for Dixhoorn’s editorial decision to amend the sections on political theology to conform to the newer, more modern American revisions. The older is better. Other than that, it’s great.
The Christian faith has always been and always will be a confessional faith. “No creed but the Bible” and similar reductionistic attitudes are simply incompatible not only with the actual practice of the early church, but as is evident in the Reformational confessions collected in this book, they are also incompatible with the actual practice of the Christians of the Reformation who championed the sole infallible authority of Scripture.
A careful examination of the sections on Scripture in the Protestant confessions will demonstrate how the Christians of this era saw that confessionalism is not only perfectly compatible with believing that God’s word is the highest authority in the church, but also how confessionalism is incredibly helpful in preserving this belief.
Dixhoorn’s collection of the ecumenical creeds is immensely edifying for devotionals, especially for meditating and contemplating Christology and the nature of God. And the confessions and catechisms in the latter half of the book are an excellent guide for understanding the highest and best articulation of theology the Church has produced.
The introductions were very helpful in understanding the historical context for each of the entries, and the translations were very accessible without sacrificing precision.
Highly recommend, I’ll be regularly reusing this volume for the foreseeable future.
July 16, 2022
This beautifully bound book collects historic ecumenical and Reformed documents that articulate the Christian faith. Before each one, Chad Van Dixhoorn shares a brief introduction, explaining the document's origins, historical context, and significance throughout time. The documents involve creeds, confessions, clarifications of post-Reformation theology and practice, and catechisms. Some of the documents are very academic in nature and require a great deal of concentration, but others are simple and direct enough for parents to use with or modify for children. Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms collects them together for reference, and I enjoyed reading them in consecutive order, contrasting different documents' strengths and varying areas of focus.
I appreciated common themes in the documents, such as a high view of Christ's sufficiency for salvation, the authority of Scripture, and the importance of pursuing right doctrine to know and love God. People who have mainly experienced theology as the realm of conceited debate may find this book helpful and refreshing, and Christians who struggle with doubt will appreciate the authors' concern for anxious Christians who struggle to feel assured in their faith. I appreciated the priority that the document writers placed on comforting weary souls, and would also recommend this to people who are deconstructing cultural elements of their faith and would benefit from a rundown of what teaching is historic and Bible-based, versus an expression of their childhood church's brand of evangelicalism. On that note, most of the documents include detailed Bible reference notes to identify the source of different assertions.
Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms is a wonderful resource for pastors, other ministry leaders, individuals, and families. It is useful as a book to read through and as a reference guide for when different questions and topics arise. My only critiques are that it would have been helpful for the book to include more information about the selection process for the documents, and could have also shared information about translation processes for some of them. I am also curious who updated some of the English documents and when, since the language was less archaic than some quotations I have seen in the past. However, even though I would have liked some additional information, I am very impressed with the book and definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I appreciated common themes in the documents, such as a high view of Christ's sufficiency for salvation, the authority of Scripture, and the importance of pursuing right doctrine to know and love God. People who have mainly experienced theology as the realm of conceited debate may find this book helpful and refreshing, and Christians who struggle with doubt will appreciate the authors' concern for anxious Christians who struggle to feel assured in their faith. I appreciated the priority that the document writers placed on comforting weary souls, and would also recommend this to people who are deconstructing cultural elements of their faith and would benefit from a rundown of what teaching is historic and Bible-based, versus an expression of their childhood church's brand of evangelicalism. On that note, most of the documents include detailed Bible reference notes to identify the source of different assertions.
Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms is a wonderful resource for pastors, other ministry leaders, individuals, and families. It is useful as a book to read through and as a reference guide for when different questions and topics arise. My only critiques are that it would have been helpful for the book to include more information about the selection process for the documents, and could have also shared information about translation processes for some of them. I am also curious who updated some of the English documents and when, since the language was less archaic than some quotations I have seen in the past. However, even though I would have liked some additional information, I am very impressed with the book and definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2023
What an excellent resource, Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms: A Reader’s Edition edited by Chad Von Dixhoorn is! This is a nice hardcover book that includes historical key doctrines. It is a great resource to be used individually or teaching in churches.
The book proves an introduction to each of the creeds, confessions, and catechisms, along with the entire documents. The book also provides a summary of how these documents are useful and how they are helpful. Few notes:
“Cults hide things. Christ’s disciples share what they have learned.”
“These historic statements remind us that the content of the Christian faith does not continually change; they bring Christians of the present into conversations with Christians of the past.”
I will use this in my personal study, as well as in our homeschool morning time study with my children. This book would make a great gift to give and to have. It is also great for someone who has never read any of the creeds, confessions, and/or catechisms.
The book proves an introduction to each of the creeds, confessions, and catechisms, along with the entire documents. The book also provides a summary of how these documents are useful and how they are helpful. Few notes:
“Cults hide things. Christ’s disciples share what they have learned.”
“These historic statements remind us that the content of the Christian faith does not continually change; they bring Christians of the present into conversations with Christians of the past.”
I will use this in my personal study, as well as in our homeschool morning time study with my children. This book would make a great gift to give and to have. It is also great for someone who has never read any of the creeds, confessions, and/or catechisms.
April 7, 2025
A very nice collection of the essential creeds and doctrinal standards still in use in Protestant churches today. The main content of the book speaks for itself, but it is nice to read through the confessions back to back so one can observe not just where they differ but also where there is continuity and development of certain doctrines. Dixhoorn’s brief introductions help to highlight this as you go in.
I was already familiar with the Apostle’s Creed, Nicene Creed, and Westminster Standards going in but I really enjoyed reading the Definition of Chalcedon and Three Forms of Unity for the first time. The Belgic Confession and Heidelberg Catechism are written in a style I find more enjoyable to actually read through than their Westminster equivalents. The only thing I feel could have improved this collection would be to have the Second Helvetic Confession here. Though perhaps not as widely used today as the others, I understand it to be another important document to emerge from that time of confession-writing.
I was already familiar with the Apostle’s Creed, Nicene Creed, and Westminster Standards going in but I really enjoyed reading the Definition of Chalcedon and Three Forms of Unity for the first time. The Belgic Confession and Heidelberg Catechism are written in a style I find more enjoyable to actually read through than their Westminster equivalents. The only thing I feel could have improved this collection would be to have the Second Helvetic Confession here. Though perhaps not as widely used today as the others, I understand it to be another important document to emerge from that time of confession-writing.
June 6, 2025
I would give this book 5 stars except for one glaring omission. I wish they put the dates on when these confessions were written. What's amazing is to see the words of Jude, "I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints." The faith that was once for all delivered continues to be handed down through these confessions. There is strong continuity in the areas of theology proper, Christology, pneumatology, bibliology, and soteriology.
A great resource for every Christian's library.
A great resource for every Christian's library.
August 22, 2024
This is my first time reading a lot of these in their entirety, so I can't speak much to the editing of the book itself, but being able to read through all of these expressions of the Christian faith was a super cool experience. The book does obviously have a Reformed leaning, and I would've liked to see the inclusion of some Lutheran or Eastern Orthodox perspectives, but I still think that this is a super helpful collection.
September 28, 2023
Nada mejor que ver la consistencia, en medio de la tensión, que tiene la tradición protestante a través de sus distintas expresiones, la armonía con los credos históricos y las posibilidades de unidad que surgen.
February 21, 2024
Three ⭐️ for the content, not the actual creeds and confessions, but it missed some important documents, and the introduction are not "wow".
I add a ⭐️ for the good looking and quality of the book. Well made !
I add a ⭐️ for the good looking and quality of the book. Well made !
June 24, 2022
Beautifully set and bound collection of the creeds and catechisms in use by Reformed churches.
May 15, 2023
I believe this belongs on the bookshelf in every Christian’s home.
June 5, 2023
Super helpful in explaining when and why documents were written and great for understanding the faith once passed down to all the saints.
August 21, 2023
A wonderful compilation of the historic creeds and confessions of the Christian faith. A brief but helpful overview of each is helpful. Best to be used as a devotional and read through once a year…
February 24, 2024
A beautiful collection but would have been even better with a more thorough editorial process & a few changes.
October 11, 2024
Good compilation. I wish it had some longer introductions and more history behind each confession.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews