In a world of self-identification and watered down, compromising theology how do we maintain a confidence in Scripture? One way is to return to our creedal and confessional heritage. In recent years a new creed has crept into local churches, that creed is no creed but Christ or no creed but the Bible. That statement has a “hint” of truth in it, but what it produces is a weak, compromising church. It opens one up for false teaching, shallow fellowship, and an identity crisis. This is the purpose of Carl Truman’s book Crisis of Confidence.

The Argument

     Carl Trueman is one of the great thinkers of our time. In this work he surveys two millennia of church history. From the early church to the recent church age, Trueman discusses the importance of confessions and creeds and how they have shaped the church. While there is much ink spilled on the issue of self-identification, the main argument of the book is that Christians should return to their creedal and confessional heritage. Those that find it hard to read historical literature, understand this is history you want to know. Trueman surveys the Nicene Creed, Apostle’s Creed, The Second New London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, and the Westminster Confessions and helps the reader understand that an adherence to these confessions will boost our confidence in Scripture.

Personal Impact

I had a conversation a few years ago with someone that rejects the idea of creeds and confessions. They rejected them because they believed that Christians elevate them over the position of Scripture. I attempted to explain from a historical precedent that this was a false statement. Ultimately, this person would affirm no creed but Christ. A few months later, this individual would walk away from the faith altogether. As I read through the pages of this work I could see his face, and I could see the faces of every liberal Christian I know. I was depressed as I thought about this. However, after depression came great joy. The joy came at the thought of the people of The Master’s Community Church. Though, we may have disagreements on minor theological issues (the end times and the supernatural gifts) we all agree on the main issues of scripture. Why is this? We have a membership process and part of that process is reading through the church covenant and the doctrinal statement. That individual then signs the covenant at the end of a service after they give their testimony before the body. What are they covenanting to? The local church and all of her beliefs and practices. How do we know what their beliefs are? By reading through the doctrinal statement, also known as a confession.

Confessionalism and Fellowship

     We are in the middle of fellowship season at MCC, and I would like to offer three ways that confessionalism enhances our church fellowship.

     Confessionalism is rooted in the doctrine of Sola Scriptura. Nearly every confession past and present begin with the doctrine of Scripture. Even though we don’t typically argue over the inclusion of apocryphal books anymore, we do debate whether certain books should really be in there. This is nothing new. Martin Luther didn’t believe the book of James should be in the canon. Liberal Christians today would like to have certain parts of Paul’s epistles removed. So how do confessions help root us in the doctrine of Scripture? They all read in similar fashion, we affirm that the Bible is contained in the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments. Further down in many confessions, you might read these words “the Scriptures are our only rule for faith and practice.” The confessions can be used in our churches and should be used in our churches because they affirm and teach what we believe about the Bible.

     Confessions act as a safeguard. Not everyone can be a member of MCC, and since not everyone can be a member not everyone can teach. Outside of there being a clear showing that someone can teach, they must also believe the confession that we adhere to. We hold the Abstract of Principles, and we are unapologetically Calvinistic. This means that someone who does not hold to Calvinistic doctrines wouldn’t be allowed to teach at MCC. This is because they would be violating our confession and thus violating the church covenant. Since we believe that many confessions are rooted in Christian orthodoxy it weeds out heretical teachings.
Confessions help us combat the current issues in our culture. In 1644, 1646, and 1689 did they have to fight against gender identity or homosexual marriage? No. However, they were clear in the writing that marriage is between one man and one woman for life. Do we need to add specific articles to our doctrinal statement? One can argue. However, if we truly believe that Scripture is our only rule for faith and practice, we don’t have to add those statements. Our statement on marriage makes that clear.

How Can We Use the Confessions At MCC

1. 1. Read through our church’s confession or a historic confession as a MCG. Each week take a particular article and discuss it as a group. Go through Scripture that teaches these articles. Sing a hymn/modern chorus that goes along with the confession.
   2. Have a multi-generational read party. During the COVID lockdowns some of my favorite memories were reading through Scripture with the men of our church. Take youth, those with gray hair, and those that are in the process of raising children and read through confessions together.
   3. Support the Walk Worthy ministry of MCC. This is a ministry that is rooted in confessionalism. We take a certain catechism question and have 45-minute-long lessons on these questions. Consider coming one Sunday evening and watch. You will be blessed hearing children from seven years old to high school aged answering questions and reciting scripture from memory.