Confessing The Faith Today

This accessible, biblical, and thoughtful work digests years of study and teaching into bite-sized sections. Van Dixhoorn's work is historical and practical in its focus. It deliberately presents readers with more than another survey of Reformed theology; it offers a guide to a particular text, considers its original proof-texts, and seeks to deepen our understanding of each paragraph of the Confession.

What is it to confess the Christian faith, and what is the status of formal confessions of faith? How far does the context inform the content of the confession? These questions are addressed in Part One, with reference to the Reformed tradition in general, and to its English and Welsh Dissenting strand in particular. In an adverse political context the Dissenters' plea for toleration under the law was eventually granted. The question of tolerance remains alive in our very different context, andin addition we face the challenge of confessing and commending the faith in an intellectual environment in which many question Christianity's relevance and rebut traditional defences of it. In Part Two it is recognised that Christian confessing is an ecclesial, not simply an individual, calling, and that the one confessing church catholic is visibly divided over doctrine and practice. Suggestions for ameliorating this situation are offered, though the final resolution may be a matter for theeschaton. Until then Christians are called to witness faithfully and to live hopefully as citizens of heaven. In an epilogue the challenges and pitfalls of systematic theology as a discipline involving both confession and commendation are explored.

Studies the formative background of the contemporary confessional stance of the Lutheran church.

Discusses the implications of each section of the Presbyterian Church's new Statement of Faith

A collection of essays and sermons by prominent Presbyterian theologians and leaders on the theme of how ancient confessions of the church come alive in current worship, inspiration, and mission.

Can Christians be spiritual and religious? Do they even know the difference between the two? Through a guide for guardian angels entering into basic training for service to "womankind," Bound, an Earth Walker's handbook overhauls Western Christianity with integrity and clarity.

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