Book Review - Know the Creeds and Councils (21/5)

Other than the Apostle’s Creed, are you familiar with other creeds? How about confessions? What are they? What’s the difference between them? What about catechism? Why were they created? These and many other related questions would be answered by Holcomb in this book. Holcomb first defines the various terms used in this book, creeds, confessions and catechism.

Following which these are then presented in a chronological order, allowing the readers to see how the creeds have developed, deepen and also modified in their wording to be more specific to the various challenges that arose at the different eras.

In Creeds, whenever a creed/confession/catechism is presented, 3 sections would always be explored: the historical background, content and relevance.

Holcomb is especially strong in giving the historical context of the creeds/confession/catechism, often highlighting the historical framework/situations where the creeds are contextualised, allowing you to see the importance of developing such creeds/confessions/catechism.

What is interesting is that Holcomb not only includes Protestant creeds and confession, in this book you can also read about the Romans Catholic Creeds and Councils, and Holcomb does not skimp on the explanation about them.
Lastly, under relevance, Holcomb is perceptive about the importance of creeds and confessions and the need for christians to be familiar with the them. Even when discussing about the Vatican II, Holcomb is still able to draw relevant application for christians and thus gives excellence support for the christian to be well versed in them.

This would be a great book for any christian who would like to be interested to learn not just about the creeds/confessions/catechism itself, but along side with it a thorough understanding of the historical context behind it. Although this might be a little too overbearing, but I would have wished that Holcomb could have added a chapter on the Second London Baptist Confession. Still this trivial lack has not in any way made the book any less valuable. This remains to be an excellent and informative guide for any christian who wants to be informed in this area.

Rating: 4.25/5

If you're interested get it here and here (free international shipping), Kindle.

Disclaimer: I was given this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.