The Westminster Assembly: Reading Its Theology in Historical Context

Drawing on new primary source material, The Westminster Assembly considers the Assembly’s theology in terms of the unfolding development of doctrine in the Reformed church as a whole and its specific context in English history.

Endorsements

“Letham has put us all in his debt by giving us a solid and thorough introduction to the Westminster Assembly that brings its debates to life and shows why the confession and catechisms it produced have become the touchstone of Reformed theology in the English-speaking world.”
—Gerald Bray, Beeson Divinity School

“Avoiding anachronistic and misleading attempts to make the Assembly’s work more ‘relevant’ to our times, the author has positioned that work firmly and clearly in its own time, with the paradoxical result that the Assembly’s debates and decisions come to life again and speak powerfully to us today.”
—Robert B. Strimple, Westminster Seminary California

“Typical of Bob Letham’s writings, The Westminster Assembly is comprehensive in its grasp. . . . The book will appeal to theological professors as an ideal seminary text, to ministers as a handy guide for preaching and teaching, and to lay people as a tool to become historically and theologically informed.”
—Joel R. Beeke, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

Contents

Part 1: The Historical Context

1. From Henry VIII to the First Civil War
2. The Westminster Assembly and the Breakdown of Order

Part 2: The Theological Context

3. The English Context
4. Sources of the Assembly’s Theology
5. The Reformed and Catholic Contexts

Part 3: The Theology of the Assembly

6. Perspectives on Westminster
7. Holy Scripture
8. God the Trinity
9. God’s Sovereign Freedom
10. Humanity and Sin
11. Christ and Covenant
12. The Order of Salvation
13. Law and Liberty
14. Church and Sacraments
15. Death, Resurrection, and Judgment