The Significance of the Westminster Confession

Abstract

This chapter discusses the relation between the Westminster Confession and Scripture, between the Confession and earlier Scottish Reformed theology, and between the Confession and the wider theological tradition of Western Christianity. It addresses the question whether obligatory subscription of the Confession inhibited the development of Scottish theology, identifies significant issues which the Confession left as open questions, and briefly examines the relevance of the Confession in notable heresy trials. It concludes by taking note of growing disquiet with the Confession, especially its doctrine of the power of the civil magistrate; the reluctance, nevertheless, to amend the text; and the ultimate resort to disclaimers, culminating in the historic Declaratory Acts passed by the major Presbyterian bodies.