Resources For Those Discovering The Reformed Confession

Heidelcast listener Wes, who describes himself as a “newcomer to the Reformed faith,” writes to ask for recommendations to build a “firm foundation in Reformed theology.” Here are some preliminary recommendations. You are welcome to add your recommendations in the comments. To be added to the list the title must be intended to help the reader understand the Reformed theology, piety, and practice as confessed by the Reformed churches in such documents as the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort, or the Westminster Standards.

The most obvious place to begin is the Reformed confessions themselves. These are the eccelsiastical summaries of the Christian faith in the Reformed tradition. In these documents, the churches expressed their official interpretation of God’s Word on those things they considered most essential. This is how the churches intend for you to learn theology (doctrine), piety (prayer, worship), and practice (the Christian life). Start with the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), the Belgic Confession (1561), and the Canons of Dort (1619). See also the Westminster Confession (1648), the Westminster Shorter Catechism (1648), and the Westminster Larger Catechism (1648).

After reading, meditating on, and perhaps even memorizing the Heidelberg or the Westminster Shorter Catechism, here are some explanations of the Reformed theology, piety, and practice that I think might be helpful.

Resources

    Post authored by:

  • R. Scott Clark
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    R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.

    More by R. Scott Clark ›

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One comment

  1. I’d like to add that the daily installments from the various Reformed confessions that RubeRad has set up so they will arrive via e-mail are particularly useful. It’s a great way to start each day and you can work through all of them during the calendar year.

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