The Westminster Standards: An Inductive Study

The Westminster Standards: An Inductive Study is a comprehensive guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith and its supporting documents, the Catechisms and Directories. Many Christian students have engaged in the inductive method of Bible study, with its three elements: observation, interpretation, and application. This course expounds the Westminster Standards in the same way, requiring students to coherently express what they learn in each section. Solidifying one’s grasp of the material in this way aids application: the Westminster doctrines become second nature—a part of life, not merely preparation for an exam.

The Confession chapters are presented within a clear framework, referring frequently to the textual references, and appropriate excerpts from the Confession and Catechisms are reprinted for readers’ convenience. Revisions and additions made over the years, including those by American Presbyterians addressing the separation of church and state, are also discussed. Here is sufficient analysis to satisfy the experienced scholar, and an excellent introduction to Reformed theology for the newer learner.

This Inductive Study consists of fifteen sessions which can be used for individual learning or as a textbook for use in group study.

• An introductory session develops the history and context of the framing of the Westminster ‘Standards’— the Confession of Faith, Catechisms, and Directories
• Each study concludes in a series of discussion questions for students as well as a concise subject bibliography to facilitate further investigation
• Includes topical and Scripture indices
• An accompanying Students’ Workbook is also available