Content area
Full Text
Nicholaas H. Gootjes, The Belgic Confession: Its History and Sources. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007. Pp.240. $29.99.
Creeds, confessions, and catechisms have become far less popular than in previous centuries, but they remain important summaries of faith and interpretations of the Bible. If the important Reformation confessions can remain significant in our contemporary world they must demonstrate their relevance by interpreting them in light of their historical background and the questions of the day they attempted to address. Confessions need to employ some methods of biblical hermeneutics. Every document has an intended authence, and historically some questions and social positions are more relevant to one age than to another; however, there are also timeless questions about God, nature, and human nature mat must be addressed by every generation. Nicholaas Gootjes has offered an important work in his academic study of the history and meaning of the Belgic Confession (BC). Some of the more widely used confessions, such as the Westminster, Heidelberg, and Augsburg have received far more study man the BC; therefore, this is a welcome addition.
Most of the substantial creeds and confessions in the history of Christianity have been formulated to combat large-scale problems in the Christian faith and community. The Reformation confessions were born in a need to reform the church from within. They had to also contend with the external political issues arising...