Confessing the Faith Hardcover – August 4, 2014

Confessing the Faith provides the opportunity for a worshipful, relaxed, systematic walk through theology. It is unambiguous, well-written and engaging. I'd be able to read much of it to our children. Difficult material in the confession is not ignored or belabored, but it is brought into clearer view. There is occasional added historical context, and contemporary theological issues are noted, but the book is catechetical and doxological. It keeps pace with the confession, so that you begin to realize you have been strolling under a grove of great oaks, then under awesome cliffs, a waterfall in the valley just off the trail. But there is so much farther to go, so many glories in His land, the tempo must be steady. You worship as you walk, and promise yourself to return soon. We’re not surprised to find love and respect for the Confession in a work authored by a scholar of Westminster, but it is not the Confession which is exalted. The Confession is the trail, well-chosen. There is little need to mind your feet, so to speak. But the focus is on the vistas of scripture, which display the glories of God Himself. Van Dixhoorn's work is exactly as named – a guide. The text of the Confession appears in short segments preceding each section of commentary. The Guide rustles our tents early in the morning and urges us on, but it speaks with quite intensity, doxologically. You sense that the author has been on this trail for years, yet his own enjoyment has only increased. Confessing the Faith is meant for adults, but the views are so magnificent that you’ll want your children to be with you on the return visit. Our children are going to ask questions here, or find answers, on the things that really matter. Why does God allow temptation? If God is loving and strong, why do we face suffering and corruption? “(God) uses these sad times… and will do all that it takes to keep us walking close to himself and far from sin ‘and for sundry other just and holy ends’, some only known to himself.” (Does that help you to keep thinking about your question, my son?) The guide is not polemical, but is winsome, confidently standing on the Confession but not presuming to remove the mysteries, or to uncover all the certainties, of the Lord or of his word. Impressively, there is no time taken for riding pet subjects, made peripheral in view of the worshipful whole.

This is quite possibly the best commentary on the WCF. Dr. Van Dixhoorn is a renowned scholar of the Westminster Assembly and he brings excellent insight into this work. He has the traditional text and the modern text side-by-side and in cases where there is a third text he places that in the middle. That allows the reader to see the text of the Confession and how it was originally written and how we would express it today. He tackles major themes in each paragraph, explaining them well.I have used this for the past year in preparing my catechetical lessons to my elders as I work to sure up their theology. His work has been invaluable. This is quite possibly the best commentary on the WCF that I've read. I think it is better than Williamson, who is the standard reading in many places.

An outstanding reflection of the Westminster Confession of Faith. This book will be extremely helpful for anyone wanting to reflect on the major ideas behind each section of each chapter. Van Dixhoorn is a very clear and winsome communicator. This book will be a good resource for anyone leading a study of the Confession or wanting to provide a "layman-friendly" explanation to the sometimes archaic turns of phrases use in the WCF. If I had a complaint it wouldn't be against the book so much as it is that it isn't the book I was expecting. The book has more of a devotional feel and Van Dixhoorn's comments, while clear and easy to grasp, left me wishing he had gone deeper into the historical background. But, as we all know, saying that a book isn't what you expected it to be is no slight against what the book actually is. Enjoy!

great resource on the confession. I appreciate not only the commentary but side by side modern and original translation. Excellent resource for elder training, seminary students, sunday school class or just personal devotion.

Arrived a week earlier than estimated, in mint condition. Apparently never opened. I would definitely buy from Burke's Book Store (Memphis) again.I needed this for a study, yet it seems to be out of print, and not readily available at time I shopped for it. It was reasonably priced, only a few dollars over list. The publisher is currently moving their facility and was only taking standby orders.Thanks Burke's!

This is a great commentary on the Westminster Confession. The format is very user friendly and great for personal or small group study! Highly recommend

This is the gold standard for personal or group study of the Westminster Confession. Written in clear language and very approachable. This helps to make the admittedly complex thoughts in the confession more clearly understood.

Van Dixhoorn is probably the preeminent living authority on the Westminster Divines, and therefore of the catechisms and confession they produced. This book approaches the confession by explaining the text using the proof texts the Divines cited based on how they understood those Scripture passages. This is a valuable contribution to the study of the Westminter Confession of Faith.

Very pleased

Confessing the Faith is a great contemporary commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith, and most likely my primary recommendation for anyone who wants to learn the basics of Reformed theology. The typesetting and quality of the print is decent, but not great.

I wrote the word understanding as a headline because that is what this book does in helping the Christian understand the Westminster Confession, its historical background and relevance for today and of course, biblical basis. I find this book most helful and would highly reccomend to anyone who wanted to find out what this hiistoric documennt is all about and why such documents are still needed today in order to help the church apply the bible to church life and national life in a God centred way, rather than a superficial way.