The Book of Confessions

by Presbyterian Church General Assembly

This durable study edition of the "Book of Confessions" represents Part I of the "Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA)" and includes the official texts of eleven confessional statements commencing with the Nicene Creed. (Part II of the Constitution is the "Book of Order," published separately.) Each creed is here introduced by an informative essay providing historical and theological background. The reprint of this volume contains textual changes approved by the 211th General Assembly (1999) and additional prefatory material that was added by action of the 209th General Assembly (1997). A change in the text of the Nicene Creed to incorporate the contemporary version of the creed was approved by the 210th General Assembly (1998) and again approved, and enacted, by the 211th General Assembly (1999). Two additional documents were added during the reprinting of this volume. By action of the 209th General Assembly (1997), the following documents were incorporated into the prefatory material of this "The Assessment of Proposed Amendments to 'The Book of Confessions'" and "The Confessional Nature of the Church."

Genres: Theology, Reference, Religion, Christianity

378 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

What you see is what you get. This is....you guessed it...a book of confessions. (Confessions including creeds, confessions, catechisms, declarations, and statements of faith.) Included in this one are the following:

The Nicene Creed
The Apostles' Creed
The Scots Confession
The Heidelberg Catechism
The Second Helvetic Confession
The Westminster Confession of Faith
The Shorter Catechism (Westminster)
The Larger Catechism (Westminster)
The Theological Declaration of Barmen
The Confession of 1967

There are references/cross references which could be used by those with the intent to study the documents, to verify that the statements are accurately reflecting Scripture. (I didn't look up references.)

Some of these are fairly common and well known. A few of these are lesser known. Some are short. Some are long. All are introduced.

My absolute favorites are The Scots Confession and the Heidelberg Catechism.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems wrong commenting on the guiding confessions my denomination. That being said, time spent with this collection is well worth it.



Moving beyond the more well known Nicene and Apostles Creed I have been deeply moved and influenced especially by the Heidelburg Catechism, the Theological Declaration of Barman, and the Confession of 1967.



Perhaps the best part is the "study" portion of this edition. The index is indespensible for reference and research.

[Jeff Garrison]

Some might say this would be reading for those unable to sleep--but there's some good stuff in here.