Crisis of Confidence

“Carl Trueman’s defense of the creedal imperative is well-known and greatly appreciated. This revised edition gives us greater insight into why the creeds and confessions of the church are so helpful—and at a time when many denominations and churches seem to be adrift. We cannot afford to act as if we are the first to ever consider the great claims of Christian doctrine and discipleship. The creeds of the early church and the confessions of the Reformation are in fact God’s good gifts to keep us from idiosyncratic individualism. This book is worth reading, and its argument worth pondering afresh.”

—Mark D. Thompson, Principal, Moore Theological College

“This little gem crystallizes a message Carl Trueman has been preaching for many years, and preaching very well: orthodox creeds and confessions are biblical, practical, and crucial to the revitalization of our churches. They are derived from the Bible, they summarize the Bible, and they ought to shape our leaders’ interpretations of the Bible. They also ought to shape believers’ doing of the word in corporate worship and daily Christian practice. I commend this book heartily to all who love the Lord, submit themselves to his word, and commit themselves to making disciples.”

—Douglas A. Sweeney, Dean and Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

“In Crisis of Confidence, Carl Trueman returns to his compelling argument for creeds and confessions in light of the contested issues of our strange new world. With clarity and pastoral insight, Trueman shows how historic creeds define us and bind us to the community of faith. They identify not only what we believe but also how we act and worship. Creeds are also peculiar in that we receive them and find our meaning in their confession. Trueman laments that too many today believe inner feelings determine outward identity. For them, authenticity is not received but produced by our deepest desires. Trueman’s timely book reminds us how creeds and confessions shape and inform our identity by pointing us always to the God who brings us authenticity by his gospel.”

—Carl Beckwith, Professor of Historical Theology, Concordia Theological Seminary

“In Crisis of Confidence, Carl Trueman makes a fresh case for creeds and confessions. At a time when not only individuals but also churches are unsure of their purpose and identity, Christians have reason to be thankful for this useful update of an important book.”

—Chad Van Dixhoorn, Professor of Church History and Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte

“In this remarkable book, Carl Trueman addresses the crises that plague both church and culture in the light of historic confessional formulations of our faith in the triune God. He offers a prophetic and apostolic call to return to the creedal confession of Christ and the Creator’s design for human living, which provides new life and guidance for how to live out the faith in our modern world. This book is a valuable resource for believers as they think through their own lives and the life of Christ’s church. It will help them remain faithful to Scripture and our Christian heritage as well as witness to the Lord in the twenty-first century.”

—Robert Kolb, Professor of Systematic Theology Emeritus, Concordia Seminary

“I know of few people better equipped to write this book. As both a scholar and a pastor, Carl Trueman combines his expertise as a historian with some important biblical observations to make a convincing case. This book will prove to be immensely useful in today’s ecclesiastical climate.”

—Mark Jones, Senior Pastor, Faith Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, British Columbia

“Carl Trueman, again, has given us a stimulating book. He manages to demonstrate the relevance of creeds by showing how fresh the old ones are. This book is not only a must-read for those who stick to creeds without knowing why, or for those whose creed it is to have no creed, but for everyone who tries to practice the Christian faith.”

—Herman Selderhuis, President, Theological University Apeldoorn, the Netherlands; Director, Refo500; President, Reformation Research Consortium

“Church leaders often dispute the need for confessions of faith on the grounds of the supreme authority of the Bible. In this timely book, Carl Trueman demonstrates effectively how such claims are untenable. We all have creeds—the Bible itself requires them—but some are unwritten, not open to public accountability, and the consequences can be damaging. Trueman’s case deserves the widest possible hearing.”

—Robert Letham, Senior Research Fellow, Union School of Theology

“Carl Trueman’s case for what he terms ‘the creedal imperative’ of the Christian faith is spot-on. Trueman not only identifies but also deftly rebuts a number of traditional as well as more-recent objections in contemporary culture to creeds and confessions. On the one hand, he shows the untenability of the ‘no creed but Christ, no book but the Bible’ position of many evangelical Christians. And on the other hand, he defends the use of creeds and confessions that summarize and defend the teaching of Scripture without supplementing Scripture or diminishing its authority.”

—Cornelis P. Venema, President and Professor of Doctrinal Studies, Mid-America Reformed Seminary; author, Christ and Covenant Theology and Chosen in Christ