The Westminster Standards

Lectures and readings in English.

1. 1. Lectures Listen, outline, and take notes on the following lectures:

   • Westminster Standards 1-24 (video) Dr. John Gerstner 12 h Open source Doctrinal Where the lecturer follows the 1788 American text on WCF 20.4, 23 and 31 and Larger Catechism Q.109, those parts are read as comparison; the 1647 text governs.
   • Theology of the WCF 1-19 Dr. Morton Smith 17 h Open source Doctrinal
   • Westminster Standards 1-14 Dr. Sinclair Ferguson 16 h Open source Doctrinal Where the lecturer follows the 1788 American text on WCF 20.4, 23 and 31 and Larger Catechism Q.109, those parts are read as comparison; the 1647 text governs.
   • The American Amendments to the Westminster Confession Dr. Peter Lillback 1 h 6 min Open source Comparison Read as comparison Teaches the 1788 American revision of WCF 20.4, 23 and 31 (and of Larger Catechism Q.109, which was changed with them). Read as comparison: the school's standard is the 1647 text.

   Total: 46 hours

2. 2. Reading Read and summarize

   • The 1788 American Revision of the Westminster Standards Lee Irons 15 pp. Open source Comparison Read as comparison Teaches the 1788 American revision of WCF 20.4, 23 and 31 (and of Larger Catechism Q.109, which was changed with them). Read as comparison: the school's standard is the 1647 text. Teacher to review (subscription to the Westminster Standards or the Three Forms not established; unverified): Lee Irons (subscription not established).

3. Review Helpful reference:

   • Comparison of the 1646 Edition to the American Revision Broken link Comparison Read as comparison Teaches the 1788 American revision of WCF 20.4, 23 and 31 (and of Larger Catechism Q.109, which was changed with them). Read as comparison: the school's standard is the 1647 text.

4. 3. Reading Read and provide chapter summaries:

   • The Utility and Importance of Creeds and Confessions Samuel Miller 134 pp. Open source Doctrinal
   • The Presbyterian Standards Francis Beattie 442 pp. Open source Doctrinal
   • A Commentary on the Confession of Faith A.A. Hodge 576 pp. Open source Doctrinal Read as comparison A.A. Hodge expounds the 1788 American text. His chapters on WCF 20.4, 23 and 31 (and his treatment of Larger Catechism Q.109) are read as comparison; elsewhere the commentary is doctrinal. The 1647 text governs.

   Total: 1,167 pages

5. 4. Assignment Write a 30 page paper serving as a personal commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith.

   Open the assignment

6. Assignment Memorize the Westminster Shorter Catechism

   Open the assignment

7. 5. Assignment Exam: Complete the Westminster Shorter Catechism Exam. The exam will consist of 100 blanks which have been placed within the text of the Catechism. The blanks must be filled with the correct word. Your mentor must contact the seminary to obtain the exam. The exam must be proctored by your mentor or church officer.

   Open the assignment

Every lecture and reading carries its role. "Under review" means the teacher's subscription to the Westminster Standards or the Three Forms of Unity is not yet established; "Read as comparison" means the material teaches the 1788 American text of WCF 20.4, 23 or 31 or of Larger Catechism Q.109, which the school reads beside the 1647 text. Nothing has been removed.