A document as significant and influential as the Westminster Confession of Faith deserves to be both highly respected and carefully expounded. Thankfully the 22 authors assembled in this new volume have done that very thing. “The Westminster Confession of Faith: A Comprehensive Commentary on its History, Theology, and Application” (Crossway, 2026) makes the Reformed doctrines both nutritious and appealing. In line with the rich Reformed tradition from which this Confession flowed, this volume is sane in its exposition, sound in its theology, and clear in its presentation.
Each chapter is introduced through a useful and informative prologue that provides historical and theological background material to place the subsequent teaching in its context. Unlike A.A. Hodge’s 1869 commentary on the Confession — a classic written in a semi-outline format — this commentary does not seem like a technical study. The writing is fluid and easy, yet contains theological heft. The contributors tackle hard subjects without hesitation and explain the dogma without obfuscation. Its technicality is subtle to the point of being almost hidden, which recommends it to both the scholar and the popular reader.
While this is a commentary on the Confession, the authors also bring into consideration the catechisms and other Reformed documents as they skillfully and winsomely handle the doctrine across the Westminster Standards. Abundant footnotes support the expositions with useful information as the commentary weaves its way through the Confession’s chapters. Also helpful is the fact that the authors interact with competing or conflicting theological viewpoints like Arminianism, Roman Catholicism, and Socinianism, and they supply respectful yet convincing explanations for the Reformed perspective.
After a helpful and informative introduction briefly detailing the history of the Westminster Assembly, the commentary begins with Holy Scripture, the “cognitive foundation of theology” (26). It is thorough and clear without being doctrinaire. Given the persistent question among church folk, “How do we know it is the word of God?” Robert Cara’s explanation of the self-attesting view of Scripture is both helpful and encouraging. Scripture claims to be the word of God and evidences the divine qualities of being the word of God, and with the testimony of the Holy Spirit, we can be persuaded that it is the word of God.
The following exposition of WCF 2 “Of God, and of the Holy Trinity” is majestic and faith-enriching. As the “ontological foundation of theology” (26) this doctrine is the source from which all other doctrines are derived. It was a pleasure reading this well-written chapter as I was reminded of the greatness of our God, from whom and through whom and to whom are all things (Romans 11:36).
The commentary breathes humble orthodoxy while stoutly defending the Reformed faith. For example, in its consideration of God’s eternal decree, a perennially difficult and debated topic, it gives fair and thoughtful assessments of Aquinas, Open Theism, and infra- and supra-lapsarianism while expounding the Reformed position. The topic of God’s decrees has been one to give light and produce heat, so I am thankful J.V. Fesko underscored the fact that, handled correctly, this doctrine helps cultivate assurance as well as the praise, reverence, and admiration of God’s sovereign grace.
The elegant scholarship throughout is both exemplary and refreshing, such as that exhibited by Ligon Duncan who expounds eight truths about creation set forth by the Confession (and catechisms) in a richly edifying way. Sinclair Ferguson gives a wonderful introduction to his exposition on Providence that whets the theological appetite and increases one’s desire for more study.
It’s striking that the commentary does not read like a commentary but like an informative, tasteful, scholarly devotional that is deeply instructive and immensely edifying. Consider this: “Providence, for the divines, as for Jesus, is therefore an all-or-nothing reality. God is not a ‘god of the gaps,’ whose actions explain only breaches in the ordinary laws of nature. He writes the story of the universe” (95).
Lest one thinks the “devotional” flavor of the commentary reduces its scholarly value, rest assured, there is no shortage of learning and sophistication here. For instance, N. Gray Sutanto ably defends the Westminster view of immediate imputation, so important for understanding covenant theology. And Duncan highlights the utility and importance of covenant theology with rich theological thought, historical research, and biblical exposition.
The commentary teases out the “ordo salutis chapters,” and in his discussion on free will, James Anderson upholds the distinction between various states of the human will in relation to redemptive history and God’s work of salvation in individuals. He also carefully distinguishes between natural liberty and spiritual ability, pointing out that “our only hope is for God in his mercy to raise us to spiritual life, supernaturally renewing our minds, hearts, and wills so that we are able to come to Christ for salvation. This is precisely what effectual calling involves” (202). This is just one example among many that could be cited highlighting the robust strength and theological beauty of the Confession’s Reformed theology with God’s sovereign grace at the forefront.
In his exposition of saving faith, John Scott Redd points out that “faith is the instrument, being itself a gift of grace from God by which our justification, adoption, and sanctification, and ultimate glorification are applied in our lives” (267). It is never considered “merely as a work of the human heart but must always be understood as a work of the Spirit’s life-giving energies, which result in individual regeneration” (271). This leads to those good works which, according to Josh Malone, “are a fruit of the Spirit’s working in us whereby we are moved by God and called to good deeds” (304). This in turn helps to cultivate the Christian’s assurance, which as a doctrine “explains how God’s assuring word that is communicated in the gospel and tasted in the Lord’s Supper encourages believers both that they will finally endure and that they are entirely forgiven” (332).
Michael Allen upholds the tripartite division of the law, and affirms that the moral law “continues to bind, ‘forever’ and over ‘all’” (365). In his superb treatment of religious worship and the Sabbath Day, Douglas Kelly asserts, “This weight… of the Lord’s eternal glory, progressively revealed to us as the inner life of self-giving love within the Godhead, forms the basis of all true worship” (394). Moreover, in affirming the Regulative Principle of Worship Kelly declares, “the practice of worship is… to be guided wholly by the will of God as revealed in his word” (396-97), a much-needed principle in the modern church.
John Muether elucidates the communion of saints and draws attention to the “fellowship between the church on earth and the church in heaven” (505), stating that what we have in common is union with Christ, for “there is no communion of saints without union and communion with Christ” (508).
As a final instance, Guy Richard’s handling of the state of death and the resurrection is outstanding. He upholds the dichotomous view of humanity — soul and body — and acknowledges that upon death the soul goes immediately to heaven or to hell (619). Then at the general resurrection souls are reunited with their resurrected bodies which “will be young, powerful, and the pictures of health for all eternity” (630).
Throughout this commentary the sovereign grace and rich mercy of God are set forth on almost every page. It breathes the spirit of those who themselves have pursued truth, embraced Christ, and tasted that the Lord is good!
In sum, the editors of and contributors to this volume have provided us with a work of outstanding value that is a must-have for any serious student of Reformed and dogmatic theology. It is federalist and redemptive-historical in its perspective. As has been said of Scripture as a whole, so it may be said of this book: here we may find a place where lambs can wade and elephants can swim!
Anyone who reads this commentary will reap many benefits from its theological soundness, doctrinal clarity, humble orthodoxy, and spiritual luster. For the Christian who craves deeper understanding or the church officer who is obliged to hold the faith in good conscience or the scholar who seeks more theological refinement, this book will serve as a welcome and enlightening resource.
Scott Wright serves as senior pastor of Redeemer Church in Hudson, Ohio