Westminster Confession-Sg:

I am a pastor and our church uses this book for high school and adult Sunday school. This book is very helpful in gaining a comprehensive, reformed understanding of the Bible. I highly recommend this book for those who are interested in learning the historic Christian faith. There is nothing more important for new Christians than getting a systematic, overall grasp of the truths of Scripture. This book is a big help to that end.

Williamson's study guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith is, or should be, a standard reference in every serious Biblical student's library. Whether you accept the presuppositions of the Reformed Faith or not, you will profit from this study because it gives a clear and concise explanation of the doctrines which are summarized in the Confession. On the primary issues, God's sovereignty & man's free will, Williamson ranks right high on the list of accessible explanations. Whether layperson, clergy or aspiring scholar, this book enables a person to interact with the doctrines in such a way as to be able to explain them to others. I have use this book for years in my introductory classes on doctrine. It is well worth the study and it will enable a person to more clearly appreciate the beauty of Biblical truth.

I have used this book in Bible studies several times over the years and it is a very good basic introduction to theology from a Reformed perspective. The only weakness is that the questions at the ends of the chapters are not very good for discussion; they have mostly obvious answers based directly on the reading. But Williamson's book is full of insights and analogies which make for good discussion.

The teachings here are mostly beliefs of historical Presbyterian churches and Calvinists. I believe there has been modification in beliefs among certain of the Presbyterian Churches and other Calvinistic religions, softening selected teachings in this book. The book however, is among those every serious Christian should read, along with The Westminster Catechism, Reformed Baptist of 1689, Book of Concord - Lutheran Confessions. Nothing helps you more in understanding religious differences and truths than to study the history of the Reformation. Today's TV evangelical churches are in serious need of another reformation as people are being misled with doctrines of Freud, feeling good, becoming properous, and entertainment. It is not Biblical (or possible) to make a personal decision to believe as faith is a gift of God. In additon, faith comes from sound doctrine in the form of Biblical scripture, not man's doctrines. The Bible warns of this pitfall, and your soul is at risk if you fail to understand this, 2 Peter 3:15-16. There exists a serious lack of spiritual knowledge and doctrinal discernment. The key to salvation is Grace through Faith, itself a gift of God. Finally, reading and studying the Bible is the most important thing a person can do.

This is an excellent study guide to one of the best documents ever written. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is Presbyterian if they want to know better what their denomination believes. I would also highly recommend it to anyone who wants a deeper understanding of theology, since the confession touches on some very deep truths. My girlfriend and I each have a copy and are going through it together. We are enjoying trememdously! ~Soli Deo gloria~