In the following 30-minute video, Dr. John Gerstner provides an introduction to the WCF. Therein, if you do not know what it is about, how to use it, etc., you might learn such things.
The following points were taken from the initial 7 minutes of the video:
- A brief statement about the context of history and purpose of the divines in creating the WCF
- It is a “determined attempt to remain faithful to the Bible and to explain in brief compass what the 66 books of Holy Scripture actually do reveal….”
- It “magnificently covers the subject, beginning with the doctrine of scripture and ending with the final judgment and last things”
- In this survey of the entire WCF, the plan is to read it to the audience and to briefly explain the fundamental focal point of the divines as they developed the various doctrines of Holy Scripture into systematic form they believed would reveal how it should be presented and preached to a perishing world
- These divines recognized the Bible as the only infallible rule of faith and practice
- Dr. Gerstner praised the accomplishments of the Westminster divines regarding chapter 1 in particular.
- The WCF was intended to be subservient to the Bible, making clear its message [particularly its doctrines]
- The opening point of the book is pasted in below from a WCF designed for study classes:I. Of the Holy Scriptures 1. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation: therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his Church; and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the holy Scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of God’s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.
- [Comments on the above from the same book] This section of the Confession teaches us (1) that God reveals himself in two distinct ways to man: in nature and in Scripture, (2) that no man can evade constant confrontation by that which reveals the living and true God (even without Scripture), (3) that all men are without excuse for their ignorant and sinful condition, and (4) that Scripture is necessary for true and saving knowledge of God because therein alone is revealed God’s redemptive provision. – Williamson, G.I.. The Westminster Confession of Faith: for Study Classes (pp. 1-2). P&R Publishing. Kindle Edition.
See link below video for the WCF in its various forms today. Some identify the scriptures from which doctrinal statements have been derived; some present the statements of the divines and then explain them to readers….
Overall, if you are sufficiently serious in desiring to know and understand the doctrines of the Bible, then the WCF or another ‘Confession of Faith’ will enable you to do so, much more quickly than you would ever discern these via your own study, even if you read through the Bible a couple times a year.
The following link is to the entire series on the WCF by Dr. Gerstner:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhORVCVz3B2YyeXLs8b0SAtC3OZW7Vokj
Reformation Heritage Books:
Link to WCFs: https://www.heritagebooks.org/Search.html#/Search.html?search=westminster+confession+of+faith
Link to other confessions [1689 Baptist confession is first via the link below]:
https://www.heritagebooks.org/Search.html#/Search.html?search=Confessions+of+faith
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