Does having a confession of faith make a church narrow in theology, critical of other churches and hunkered down in their own bunker, unwilling to work with others?

John Mark and Jonny talk with Oliver Allmand-Smith about the true spirit of the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith, those who wrote it and how the Confession promotes a generous and warm orthodoxy challenging churches to pray for each other and partner for the gospel.

Resources for Further Study:

- Recovering Our Confessional Heritage Bundle : Masterfully brings together biblical, systematic and historical theology in bitesize form

- By Common Confession : Contributors Include: Donald R. Linblad, Joel R. Beeke, James E. Dolezal, J. V. Fesko, W. Robert Godfrey, Michael T. Renihan, Micah & Sam Renihan, Samuel E. Renihan

- Faith & Life for Baptists : This book aids the reader to grasp the historical context of Confessional Baptists

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Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Jonny and John-Mark tackle a question of the utmost importance: "Can a confession of faith become more important than the Bible?"

They approach it in three ways:
1. What is the underlying concern and why is it valid?
2. What authority and role do confessions of faith have in the Church?
3. What are the practical outworkings of this discussion?

In approaching the question from these angles, the guys show that confessions of faith, when properly understood as subordinate standards to the Word of God, liberate us to confess the whole teaching of Scripture. After this, the guys discuss how confessions of faith are useful tools for the teaching, training, edification and maturation of Christ's Churches and Servants.

Resources for further study:
- James Renihan's short study on confessions of faith 'A Toolkit for Confessions'
- The Creeds and Confessions of Confessional Baptists in the past all in one place

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Contact Broken Wharfe

• Tweet us @Brokenwharfe
• Find us on Facebook at BrokenWharfe
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• Email us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

John-Mark and Jonny chat about why we have the topics that we do in the 2nd London Confession and systematic theology. They discuss where they come from, how they relate to the bible and how systematics relates to biblical theology.

The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith summarises the teachings of the bible. It covers how we know God, God himself, the situation of humanity, the plan of redemption through covenants and the sending of the Christ. It also covers how life under the gospel should be organised in the church and family. It seamlessly ranges through systematics, covenantal theology, biblical theology and ethical theology as it presents the doctrines of scripture.

Contact us at [email protected]
Website: www.brokenwharfe.com

Book links

Nehemiah Coxe and John Owen, Covenant theology: From Adam to Christ
Samual Renihan, The Mystery of Christ:, His Covenant and His Kingdom.

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Contact Broken Wharfe

• Tweet us @Brokenwharfe
• Find us on Facebook at BrokenWharfe
• Follow us on Instagram at BrokenWharfe
• Email us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

John-Mark and Jonny set out on the Broken Wharfe Podcast adventure.

Why does this podcast exist? Why confessions of faith, and why is systematic theology important?

The confessional approach to theology, church life, and worship requires a commitment to systematic theology. If we don't see the need for systematic theology in the local church, or see it as something that is only for a few people who are interested that sort of thing, then we may not be persuaded by the benefits of having a confession of faith. So, what is systematic theology and why is it important for church life?

After chatting about hopes and plans for the new podcast, J and J-M get focused on what being confessional actually means and why we should do systematic theology at all.

Contact us at [email protected]
Website: www.brokenwharfe.com

Book link:
Sam Renihan, Deity and Decree

Blog link:
Jonathan Woodrow, Systematic Theology and Confessing the Faith

Institution links:
International Reformed Baptist Seminary (IRBS)
For more information on IRBS in the UK see Trinity Grace Church Ramsbottom page here 

Send us a text

Contact Broken Wharfe

• Tweet us @Brokenwharfe
• Find us on Facebook at BrokenWharfe
• Follow us on Instagram at BrokenWharfe
• Email us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening!