The
Theology of the Westminster Standards by J.V. Fesko
J.V. Fesko,
professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Seminary in California provides
for readers a thorough understanding of the aims, intents, and theology of the
Westminster Standards in his The Theology
of the Westminster Standards. With
an eye toward history, theological debates within the Reformed world, and the
emphasis that such Reformers such as John Calvin had upon the Westminster
Divines (see pg. 50), Fesko’s book is a delight to read and investigate.
What makes Fesko’s
book so unique? For one, Fesko does not
fail to provide objections to his theological statements and set forth
arguments against objections with sound research and historical context. In writing about the Holy Spirit convincing a
person of the Divine authority of the Scriptures, Fesko writes (67),
“Some have argued
that this list of proofs for the divinity of the Word represents a turn toward rationalism,
a departure from the simple faith of the earlier Reformation.59 But such a
characterization fails to consider three key points. First, one must consider
the Confession’s insistence upon the necessary and prerequisite work of the
Spirit: “Yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the
infallible truth, and Divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the
Holy Spirit bearing witnesse by and with the Word, in our hearts” (1.5). The
Confession rests the belief in the Scriptures not upon reason but upon the
internal witness of the Spirit.”
The work of the Spirit is primary to convincing
a person of the divine nature of Scripture, yet rational proofs corroborate the
testimony of the Spirit. Fesko mentions
Calvin and William Whittaker as also providing rational proofs for the divinity
of the Scriptures, while holding these proofs as secondary in nature to the
Spirit’s work (68). Why is this so
important? For one, Fesko brings out the
Confession’s proper emphasis that the Spirit’s work to convince people of the
Scripture’s true nature coincides with the way the Scriptures speak of the
Spirit’s work. Reason is used by Paul at
Athens to convince the Athenians of their need for salvation, yet when the
Scriptures are spoken of, they are written in the context of the Spirit’s work
in convincing men and women of the their truth.
Not only does the Confession seek to be consistent with the way in which
the Spirit works in the lives of people, but the Confession also emphasizes the
veracity of the Scriptures by bringing out the logical way the Spirit’s work is
portrayed in those same Scriptures.
Secondly, Fesko
zeroes in on the discussion the members of the Westminster Assembly had
regarding the moral law and the covenant structure of the Bible. Instead of offering a view that emphasizes
two covenants of grace, the Confession promulgates one covenant of grace, differing
in substance. This answer was in
objection to the thinking of Tobias Crisp, who although accepting the twofold
covenantal scheme (covenant of works and grace), nevertheless sees Christ
absent in the first covenant and fails to see the moral law as binding on
believers today. This last element of
excluding the moral law from present day living disturbed members of the Confessional
assembly to no end, therefore, the reason to include elements of the moral law
was for them a matter of biblical fidelity and offering a counter view to Crisp.
I really enjoyed this book and will go back to
as I look at the Confession in my own Presbyterian denomination.
Thanks to Crossway for the copy of this book in
exchange for an honest review.
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