Truths We Confess Vol 3: The State, The Family, The Church, and Last Things: A Layman's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith [Hardcover]

R. C. Sproul (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: P & R Press (June 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596380411
• ISBN-13: 978-1596380417
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,123,448 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Truth is Settled, November 12, 2007

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MES-DocTheology "DocMN" (Rochester, MN) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Truths We Confess Vol 3: The State, The Family, The Church, and Last Things: A Layman's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith (Hardcover)

What do you do with truth that was settled hundreds of years ago but modern-day churches feel they can improve upon the collective wisdom of the group known to history as the Westminster Divines. Noted author and teacher, Dr. R. C. Sproul has given us one of the best collections for our libraries and for teaching our children about the Bible and about historic faith. The Westminster COnfession of Faith has stood the test of time and while many modern tele-evangelists and pastors seek to deny the truth, the work of these men over the many, many months now comes to us in a fresh new way where the reader can quickly reference the question in the Confession and hear R.C. Sproul give the learner a new and life-changing insight into the teaching.

While the three volumes are lengthy, so is the basic Westminster Confession. This 3 volume series allows the reader to have one of the best commentaries not only on the text of the Confession but also on the Bible passages. Over the years many authors have attempted to write (or just expand) the Confession. Sproul gives it life and meaning for the next generation. Worth every penny!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Layman's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith, November 28, 2011

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Philip S. Roeda (Dupage County) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Truths We Confess Vol 3: The State, The Family, The Church, and Last Things: A Layman's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith (Hardcover)

Dr. RC Sproul gives an excellent explanation of the last ten chapters of the Westminster Confession of Faith. All three volumes are worth the time to read and understand the theology of the Bible, the place of the believer in the body of the Church, and how God's church should function. The Westminster Confession of Faith is from the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in America, 2d edition with corrections: Copyright1986 by the stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. The book divides each section by the chapter of the confession stating the words of each chapter before RC Sproul expounds on the meaning. The reader is given a clear Biblical Orthodox meaning of scripture that is consistent by the original authors of the confession.

Those who do not understand the argument for infant baptism as oppose to believer's baptism will find this work edifying. The author makes the argument that baptism is the sign of the new Christian covenant that replaces Circumcision which is the sign of the old covenant that was given before Christ's death and resurrection. This argument is a just one chapter of this work. This topic is one did not have full comprehension of even though I was raised in the Reformed Church. My understanding was notional and not educational. I never attend catechism in my youth.

Other concepts explained and explored:

What is the role of the civil government and its relationship to the true Christian church? The civil magistrate is a servant of God yet some roles are reserved to the church? It is God ordained that the two have their own roles yet both should be obedient to God.

Difference in perspective and function changes whether promised in the body of Christ - the church as oppose to one taking their marriage vows before a civil magistrate. Both are valid before God, yet what is promised is distinct and quite distinct in the marriage partner's obligation to God's teachings.

What is a true church? What is a true Christian fellowship? What is the communion of saints? What is the Christians obligation to each other? What is the Christian obligation to belong to a local place of worship? What is his obligation to be obedient to teachings and not be disruptive to that local body? The Church has an obligation to discipline those who reject its teachings and/or are arrogant in his disobedience to God.

What is the essential differences between what the Roman Catholic Church call sacraments and how sacraments are understood in the Westminster Confession of Faith?

One will find a biblical understanding of Heaven, Hell, and the state of men after death plus the state of men after the bodily resurrection from the dead. RC Sproul describes how many churches are moving way from Biblical understanding of these concepts. RC Sproul describes the second coming of Jesus Christ, the judgment of men unto righteousness and those judged unto wrath. How those are judged differently whether one is redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ.

I hope this gives you a good understanding of this work. I whole heartedly encourage you to seek out and read all three volumes, but I found this volume of the most interest.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another homerun for Sproul., March 8, 2008

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Robert W. Baker (Montana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Truths We Confess Vol 3: The State, The Family, The Church, and Last Things: A Layman's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith (Hardcover)

I've been a Sproul fan for years and I've been seeking a commentary on the Westminster Confession. This is the combo that can't be beat. A great confession commented on by a premier teacher and theologian.