The Confession of Faith: A Critical Text and Introduction

The Confession of Faith: A Critical Text and IntroductionThe Confession of Faith stands as one of the three major doctrinal standards produced by the Westminster Assembly. It has become one of the most recognizable and influential confessions of the Reformed tradition. In his historical introduction, John Bower provides an extensive survey of the Confessions creation, a formative process spanning the Assemblys most active years of 16431648. The heart of the volume is Bowers critical text of the Confession.

The Confession of Faith stands as one of the three major doctrinal standards produced by the Westminster Assembly. It has become one of the most recognizable and influential confessions of the Reformed tradition. In his historical introduction, John Bower provides an extensive survey of the Confession’s creation, a formative process spanning the Assembly’s most active years of 1643–1648. The heart of the volume is Bower’s critical text of the Confession. Painstakingly restored, the critical text is supported by a parallel comparison of the document’s four authoritative sources and a detailed list of textual emendations. Moreover, the book’s historical and textual sections are accompanied by a glossary, bibliography, catalog of proof texts, and a critical edition of the Assembly’s often overlooked revision of the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England. Bower’s text is sure to be the benchmark for future study, modern editions, and foreign translations for years to come.

Publisher: Reformation Heritage Books
Type: Hardback
ISBN: 9781601782434

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John R. Bower, M.D., Th.M., is adjunct professor of church history at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh and associate professor of pediatrics and microbiology/immunology/biochemistry at Northeast Ohio Medical College. His special interest is the history and bibliography of the Westminster Assembly and its members. Dr. Bower is coeditor of the Westminster Assembly Project’s series of Assembly-related works and documents.

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“In telling the story of the birth of the Westminster Confession of Faith, this work advances with care, precision, and not a little academic detective work. The presentation of the ‘scholarly historical text’ allows modern readers to engage in a fresh way with one of the great symbols of the Reformed catholic church—a great ‘guiding banner of religious uniformity.’ The account of the development of the original text demonstrates the theological, historical, and pastoral context of every chapter, modeling for the church in all subsequent ages the importance of the confessional identity of the people of God. This scholarship will be of great value to the church of Jesus Christ.” Michael McClenahan, professor of systematic theology, Union Theological College, Belfast, Northern Ireland