|
||
Name:
Westminster Confession
Dates:
Completed: 1647
Adopted in full by the General Assembly of the Scottish Church: 1647
Adopted in part by the English parliament (as Articles of Christian Religion): 1648
Adopted in part by Congregational churches of New England (as The Cambridge Platform of Church Discipline): 1648
Ratified by the Scottish parliament: 1649
Adopted by the first organized synod of Presbyterians in America: 1729
Definition:
The Westminster Confession is a credal statement of the Presbyterian Church which
owes as much to politics as it does to religious faith. The English Civil War
(1642-1649) was on and the English Parliament, battling King Charles I was
looking to appease the Scottish Presbyterians by working up a doctrinal statement
which harmonized their beliefs with those of the Church of England.
Meeting in Westminster Abbey, an assembly of 121 Puritan clergymen was able to reach quick agreement on most points except the relationship between church and state; Parliament never adopted it fully but the Scottish General Assembly did. The Westminster Confession was brought to America by the Puritans and it has been officially adopted by Presbyterians in America.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Christianity?
What are the various Christian groups, denominations, sects and heresies? What are some key concepts in Christian theology? What are some of the most important events in Christian history? All of this and more are covered in the Christianity FAQ.What is the Philosophy of Religion?
Sometimes confused with theology, the Philosophy of Religion is the philosophical study of religious beliefs, religious doctrines, religious arguments and religious history. The line between theology and the philosophy of religion isn't always sharp, but the primary difference is that theology tends to be apologetical in nature, committed to the defense of particular religious positions, whereas Philosophy of Religion is committed to the investigation of religion itself, rather than the truth of any particular religion.What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear. Read more about how dictionaries, scholars and others have tried to define and explain religion.
