Book Review: Crisis of Confidence by Carl Trueman

I have stated on this blog that creeds and confessions are expressions of the Christian Church. Most of them have been around for centuries while others are just being released. Most of them do support what the Bible says while others are just echoes of the winds of culture so they can be relevant to those around them. 

There are some in the church who do think that creed and confessions are not needed today. Some have said, "No Creeds but Christ," however that is a creed just like no rules is a rule in anarchy. 

Does there need to be a resurgence for creeds and confessions in the church today? This is what Carl Trueman wants his readers to understand in his book Crisis of Confidence, which is a revised edition of his previous book on creeds, The Creedal Imperative.

Basically, what Trueman wants to communicate for the church to know about creeds is that they make us realize we are not the center of the universe. We are not to be a people who are individualistic. We are to be a people who are called by God, worships God, and understand who we are.

The book begins with the cultural war against creeds followed by the foundation for them and how the early church handled creeds. Later on, Trueman addresses how creeds can be used for worship which Trueman makes his case that if we truly embrace the scriptures, we can see how creeds can be used in corporate worship.

At the end of the book, Trueman makes a statement that I find ironic. He addresses that there have been many evangelicals who have left and embrace Roman Catholicism. He essentially blames the church for the lack of creeds and having a good historical grasp on the Christian faith. The reason I find this so ironic, is where Trueman has been headed as of late. He seems to be embracing the writings of Thomas Aquinas who is Roman Catholic philosopher who denies justification by faith alone. Many in the Roman Catholic church love Aquinas to the point they have called him, "The Angelic Doctor."

I know I am supposed to review this is book which was a revised edition of a book from 2012 and not where Trueman is theologically right now, but given the trajectory of where he is heading, all I have to say is if you desire to read this book, proceed with caution.

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.