Reformed Confessionalism

D. Blair Smith

Reviewed by: David J. Koenig

Reformed Confessionalism, by D. Blair Smith. P&R, 2025. Hardcover, 144 pages, $15.99. Reviewed by OP pastor David J. Koenig.

I was once in leadership at a large non-denominational church, sitting in a meeting in which we were discussing how best to teach the teenagers of the congregation the basics of the faith. I suggested that we use one of the great Protestant catechisms. Instantly the others in the meeting looked at me as if I had three heads. “We don’t want to use something other than the Bible!” one said. “Aren’t catechisms a Catholic thing?” another said. Finally, I was informed, “We want them to know it in their heart, not by rote memorization.”

In the friendly confines of the OPC, we may not be familiar with some of the prevailing views of confessions and catechisms within the larger evangelical world, but I would characterize the reactions I got at that meeting as typical. Back in the days when I was moving toward Reformed doctrine, I remember struggling with questions surrounding creeds and confessions. I wish I’d had Blair Smith’s little book on Reformed confessions then; it is a true one-stop introduction and apology for confessionalism.

This book is in P&R’s Blessings of the Faith series of one-volume introductions on the basics of Reformed and Presbyterian theology and worship. For my money, this is the best series of its kind, and I have used these volumes several times in the church that I serve. In the body of the book, Smith builds a positive argument for the use of confessions in the church in just five chapters. Chapter 1 traces the roots of confessionalism in the New Testament. Chapter 2 deals with faith’s need to express itself. Chapter 3 speaks about the rise of heresy and the need to combat it. In these historical sections, Smith does his best to stick to the concept without getting lost in the weeds of centuries of nuanced historical debate. The nature of this series requires this, but it does leave Smith open to the charge of being simplistic.

Chapter 4 delves into church life and how confessions serve to strengthen our faith. Chapter 5 deals with confessions and the health of the church. After this, there is a final section—the longest part of the book—in which Smith deals with potential objections to confessionalism (the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, abuses of confessions) in a question-and-answer format. Once again, Smith does an admirable job in dealing with these within the confines of the format.

It is helpful to bear in mind that this book is an introduction; if you are looking for more involved discussions of things like subscription, or a detailed look at the history of confessions, this is not the book for you. However, if you are looking for answers to basic questions or something to put in the hands of someone who argues against confessions, I cannot think of a better book.