Ours is a day when many Christians say one thing and do another. The sufficiency of Scripture teaches that the Christianity is grounded in the Word for our faith and practice. We must also remember that we are not only “Bible-people” but Bible-first people. The Bible is our primary guide for our life and godliness in Christ. We are living in a day when many suggest that we only need the Bible and that the Church has erred on many different doctrines throughout the ages. Indeed, there have been issues in Christian theology, but the faithful Pastors who have gone before us have sought to instruct the people in the Word of God so they can learn to read it themselves and with the Church. It doesn’t work to suggest that we only be “Bible-only” people. The very definitions of many of the doctrines we hold, such as the Trinity, the person and work of the Lord Jesus, etc., have all come as a result of men and women studying the Word of God and reaching clear articulations of said doctrines in discussions with one another. Put another way, and the Lord has given the Church teachers to avoid error and to instruct in the truth. This is prime example of why we must not disregard Church history.

Another reason we are pro-history as Christians is because the Church has given us biblically-rooted and biblically-shaped confessions, catechisms, and creeds. These catechisms, confessions, and creeds are not a replacement for the Bible. We are to test all things and hold fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Still, catechisms and creeds are very helpful to Christian living and worship. These are additional supplements that, when used in a local church, can help the biblically faithful local churches to be grounded in the truth of Scripture.

This idea of being grounded in and shaped by the Bible, while looking through the lens of Church history is the theme of this issue of Theology for Life Magazine. We live in a day when many, if not all, of the essentials of the Christian faith are under direct assault. As Christians, we are to be biblically grounded and shaped. Still, we should also be grounded in good confessions like the Westminster Confession of Faith and the 1689 London Baptist Confession. These two confessions, for example, are solidly biblical and orthodox confessions that can help you remain steadfast when many are questioning the role of the Bible in the Christian life. Being confessional doesn’t mean you put the Bible on the sidelines; it means that you are biblically rooted and shaped by Scripture, and therefore see the need to “hold the line”.

Confessions can be likened to an anchor on a ship, which moors the vessel in a safe harbor. Confessions do the same for us as Christians in the local church. They help define and shape biblical orthodoxy, which in turn helps us stay anchored in the Word and in faithful Christian theology. In this era, with the rise of the New Apostolic Reformation, critical race theory, intersectionality, and even worse heretical teachings, we need to be rooted and shaped by Scripture first. The Lord has given us many good and sound teachers, both in Church history past and present to help us to learn to navigate the issues of everyday life.

Whether you are a Pastor, a parent, or a concerned Christian striving to be faithful in the changing times we are facing, there is help for you in this issue of Theology for Life. In this issue, you’ll discover not only how confessions, catechisms, and creeds are good tools for all Christians, you’ll also discover practical help along the lines of your worship, parenting, and evangelism, to name a few. After you are done reading this issue, I hope you’ll consider utilizing some, if not all, of the Reformed confessions and catechisms for your discipleship and ministry to those around you.

In Christ Alone,

Dave Jenkins

Executive Editor, Theology for Life Magazine