Help me out on Creeds and Confessions... where to start?

[GQ Chris]

So I have had the Reformation Study Bible for awhile now and there's so much info.. Canons of Dort,Westminster Confession of Faith, Heidelberg Catechism.. just to name a few. Which one should I start with, and is there a logical order I should be reading these? This question is primarily towards Reformed brethren.

 

[TheNorwegian]

I would start with the Creeds common to all Christian churches: The Nicene Creed first who everybody agrees with, followed by the Apostolic Creed who all agree on except for a couple of words. That is were every other Creed grew from

 

[AMR]

Read the confessions chronologically: Belgic (1561), Heidelberg (1563), and WCF (1646).

 

[JM]

I would keep it simple and combine both AMR and TheNorwegian's suggestions. The Heidelberg is an exposition of the Apostles Creed, the Lord's Prayer and the Decalogue (10 Commandments). DeYoung's book The Good News We Almost Forgot covers this subject and will really help you out. Check to see if your local library has it, if not see if they have an app called Hoopla, on Hoopla you can download the audiobook for free.

May God bless you as you walk with Him.

jm

 

[JM]

Dr. Beeke had a book that harmonizes the Reformed Confessions.

http://www.heritagebooks.org/products/reformed-confessions-harmonized-beeke-ferguson-eds.html

 

[AMR]

Beeke's harmonization book is a wonderful read.

 

[TaylorSexton]

Would anyone here say that, because the WCF is later and lengthier, that it is a more full and comprehensive exhibition of the Reformed faith?

EDIT: ...although with the addition of the Canons of Dordt the continental confession (i.e., the Three Forms of Unity) is much longer.

 

[JM]

It's more Scholastic, yes.

 

[gord44]

Dr. Beeke had a book that harmonizes the Reformed Confessions.

http://www.heritagebooks.org/products/reformed-confessions-harmonized-beeke-ferguson-eds.html

I'll have to read that. My knowledge of the confessions is lacking.

 

[JM]

Your faith icon...I like it!

Let's go into battle mode and attack some idolatrous pagans!

 

[JM]

Many of the new study Bibles have the creeds and confessions in the back for further study. Check out the Reformation Study Bible and the Heritage Reformation Study Bible.

Yours in the Lord.

 

[hedrick]

Here's a nice collection: http://www.reformed.org/documents/

 

[theFijian]

As it happens, Justin Holcombe's "Know the Creeds and Councils" is on offer in eBook format

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GS084MW/ref=cm_sw_su_dp?tag=carr0e-20

 

[JM]

So I have had the Reformation Study Bible for awhile now and there's so much info.. Canons of Dort,Westminster Confession of Faith, Heidelberg Catechism.. just to name a few. Which one should I start with, and is there a logical order I should be reading these? This question is primarily towards Reformed brethren.

G, what did you end up doing?