Starting July 1, 2007 (if not earlier) Redeemer Christian Congregation will begin its worship. RCC is starting out as an independent congregation, but plans to do some intense study of various Reformed perspectives. The purpose is to try and find a denomination they may wish to affiliate with.

Does anyone have any recommendations for lay-study of the WCF? The Heidelberg Catechism? The 39 Articles? I'm looking for something I could lead the class through that would be plain, straightforward.

If there's something online that can be downloaded (either purchased or free) that would be preferrable. But if there are only books available that would be quite acceptable.

Thank you for your assistance.

__________________
Kevin Guillory
Pastor
Redeemer Christian Congregation
Baltimore, MD

I don't interpret Scripture. Scripture
interprets itself. And in the process ...
Scripture interprets me!

http://www.christianbook.com/Christi...search=1&cms=1

__________________
Rich
PCA, Northern VA
Student, New Geneva Theological Seminary

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Robert Shaw's exposition on the WCF is highly recommended.

Zacharius Ursinus' commentary on the HC is highly recommended.

A Puritan's Mind -- The Westminster Standards

Books (Commentaries) on the WCF

Catechism Commentaries

__________________
Andrew

Bah! What would Ursinus know about the Heidelberg?!

__________________
Rich
PCA, Northern VA
Student, New Geneva Theological Seminary

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Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

The pastor at the URC we are attending is taking us through a curriculum that is very similar to this introductory workbook by Danny Hyde of Oceanside URC: The Good Confession. I have found it to be quite good so far, and while I like going straight to the source (i.e. Ursinus' Commentary), Hyde's workbook would likely be more accessible to the average layman.



See also this post from Rev. Hyde's blog:
http://dannyhyde.squarespace.com/the-good-confession/

__________________
Philip A - Member, High Desert United Reformed Church, Apple Valley, CA.

"Reason also is choice" - Milton, Paradise Lost
"And then shall every word also seem consistent to him, if he for his part diligently read the Scriptures in company with those who are presbyters in the Church, among whom is the apostolic doctrine, as I have pointed out." - Irenaeus, Against Heresies, IV:XXXII.
"where there is text, there is hope" - Richard A. Muller

Thanks for the "plug" Philip.

Kevin, this book is a workbook through the Three Forms of Unity, using the Belgic Confession as the baseline, with reference to the Heidelberg and Canons. It would be perfect for this kind of setting.

As for Heidelberg Catechism commentaries, the most worthwhile stuff is heavy reading: Ursinus' Commentary is best. You also ought to read Olevianus' A Firm Foundation (Baker). There is also a great introductory volume on the history and theology of the Catechism entitled, An Introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism, ed. Lyle Bierma (Baker). Finally, Scott Clark's Caspar Olevian and the Substance of the Covenant (Rutherford House) is phenomenal.

On the Belgic Confession, there isn't much current or available, hence my current project With Heart and Mouth: An Exposition of the Belgic Confession (Reformed Fellowship), which is due out this July. You can read about it here. It will be geared towards ministers as well as educated laypeople, including study questions.

On the Canons of Dort, the best volume is Homer Hoeksema's, The Voice of Our Fathers (Reformed Free Publishing Association). Just beware of his Protestant Reformed leanings, which affect his interpretation. Also, it isn't very lay person oriented. The best for that is Peter Feenstra's Unspeakable Comfort (Premier Publishing) is great for a group of people to go through as it is not technical and it includes questions.

__________________
Rev. Daniel R. Hyde
Pastor, Oceanside United Reformed Church, Carlsbad/Oceanside, California
Th.M. candidate, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

Thanks to all for the info. I've got Ursinus' commentary (perhaps a bit heavy for lay? And, as Rich said, what does he know about the Heidelberg Catechemism anyway?<VBG>).

But I've DEFINITELY got Daniel Hyde's book marked out. It looks like that's what we need.

Thanks again.

__________________
Kevin Guillory
Pastor
Redeemer Christian Congregation
Baltimore, MD

I don't interpret Scripture. Scripture
interprets itself. And in the process ...
Scripture interprets me!

I've been hearing good things about Sproul's latest book on the WCF, Truths we Confess. Only the first of 3 volumes has been published so far. But Sproul usually writes for the laymen.

Also, Shaw on the WCF mentioned above is pretty good. Not too complicated for laymen to work through.

__________________
Patrick
MDiv, RTS Jackson
Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church (OPC), Lisbon, NY

"He does well, that discourses of Christ; but he does infinitely better, that by experimental knowledge, feeds and lives on Christ." Thomas Brooks.

Great thread!!! I posted a similar one recently.

__________________
Frank O Fuentes
Church of THE King
McAllen, Texas
Student at Edinburg Theological Seminary

Dr. Joey Pipa has written a new commentary on the WCF that I have heard is outstanding. Also, I would highly recommend the new book "On Being Presbyterian" by Dr. Sean Lucas.

Links to each:

http://tinyurl.com/ysu9co

http://tinyurl.com/2tddfx

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_Adam_McMurry,_RE
Grace_PCA_
St._Charles, MO_