An orthodox commentary on the confession, that is, one that is in wholehearted accord with the teachings of the confession, and resolutely faithful to them, will be profitable to Reformed Christians and churches in the twenty-first century, not only for invaluable instruction in the Reformed faith, but also for the maintenance and defense of Reformed orthodoxy.
Founded on holy scripture, the Belgic Confession determines sound doctrine for Reformed churches and believers. This doctrine is rich, lovely, and powerful. The confession also authoritatively exposes contemporary heresies. As they read this commentary which proclaims the doctrine and authority of the confession, all believers who love the Reformed faith will be faithfully guided in the truth of the “old paths.”
Volume one covers Articles 1-21 of the Belgic Confession.
What others are saying about this book:
"Engelsma is emeritus professor of Reformed Dogmatics and Old Testament studies in the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary. When he was a pastor, he often taught the Belgic Confession to older catechumens. During his years of teaching at the seminary, he made frequent reference to the Belgic Confession in his dogmatics lectures to seminarians. For many years he has also taught an adult doctrine class, in which he gave instruction in the articles of the Belgic Confession. He has, therefore, a thorough acquaintance with the Belgic Confession of Faith and is eminently qualified to write a commentary on this creed, which is one of the three sparkling gems in the golden crown which has adorned the head of Reformed churches for several hundred years...In his commentary, Engelsma takes us back to our roots. He makes his readers see how up-to-date and vitally important are the doctrines confessed and defended in the Belgic Confession of Faith. The struggles of the early Reformed churches in the sixteenth century are the church’s struggles still today." -Ronald Cammenga
"Prof. Engelsma’s commentary on the Belgic Confession is a gift to the English-speaking world. There are excellent commentaries in English on the Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons of Dordt, but to date there is no such substantial commentary on the Belgic Confession. This volume fills that lack. This volume is the first of a planned two-volume series and covers the first twenty-one articles of the Confession. The author includes a valuable introduction about the place of the creed in Reformed churches and a brief but stirring account of the life of Guido De Bres and of the value of the Belgic Confession." -Nathan Langerak
Read reviews by Ronald Cammenga (PRTJ), Herman Hanko, Nathan Langerak (the Standard Bearer), Dr. H. David Schuringa. and Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms.
David J. Engelsma served as minister to several Protestant Reformed congregations until he was appointed to the Protestant Reformed Seminary in 1988 as professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament studies. He also served as editor of the "Standard Bearer" from 1988-2002. Prof. Engelsma has lectured and preached throughout the British Isles on behalf of the British Reformed Fellowship, which is devoted to the spread and defense of the Reformed faith in the United Kingdom. He lives in Grand Rapids, MI, with his wife and is the father of 9 children. He has authored many RFPA books.
- 368 pages
- hardcover
- ISBN 978-1-944555-33-7
- Release date: June 1, 2018
eBook version available
Other Books in the Belgic Confession Series: The Belgic Confession, volume 2