Crisis of Confidence

Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity

De: Carl R. Trueman

Narrado por: R. E. Biddulph

Carl Trueman Analyzes How Ancient Creeds and Confessions Protect and Promote Biblical Christianity in a Culture of Expressive Individualism

Historic statements of faith—such as the Heidelberg Catechism, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Westminster Confession of Faith—have helped the Christian church articulate and adhere to God’s truth for centuries. However, many modern evangelicals reject these historic documents and the practices of catechesis, proclaiming their commitment to “no creed but the Bible.” And yet, in today’s rapidly changing culture, ancient liturgical tradition is not only biblical—it’s essential.

In Crisis of Confidence, Carl Trueman analyzes how creeds and confessions can help the Christian church navigate modern concerns, particularly around the fraught issue of identity. He contends that statements of faith promote humility, moral structure, and a godly view of personhood, helping believers maintain a strong foundation amid a culture in crisis. This is a revised edition of Trueman’s The Creedal Imperative, now with a new section on the rise of expressive individualism.

Updated Edition of The Creedal Imperative: Includes fresh cultural insights on modern individualism

Written by Carl Trueman: Author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self (100,000+ copies sold)

Theological and Historical: Explains why creeds and confessions are necessary, how they have developed over time, and how they can function in the church of today and tomorrow

Ideal for Pastors, Professors, and Those Interested in Liturgical Tradition

©2024 Carl R. Trueman (P)2024 Crossway

Orderly food on a disordered plate

To be perfectly honest, this was different than what I expected. I was expecting more of a treatise on finding order and a way forward in a world that's seemingly gone mad with "truth," and that's not totally what this book was about. However, what I found instead was very helpful as someone that works in the ministry world. This book is all about creeds and the advantage we have in our current day of being able to look back on church history and developing a clear and concise understanding of Truth as it it actually is--not what we make of it. I found chapter five to be the most helpful, entitled "Confession as Praise," because what it does is explain, very practically, why creeds are not only important but necessary as elements of how we structure our Christian churches. They bring clarity and focus to something that we need to understand, and can help us think rightly about all the most foundational aspects about our faith and beliefs--and helping us develop a proper theology of any number of issues that we need to understand. I'd particularly recommend this book for church leaders and elders.

Creeds ARE Important

Dr. Carl Trueman delivers another excellent book in “Crisis of Confidence.” I have always had a healthy respect for creeds and confessions but Trueman showed that I lacked an understanding of the deep implications such creeds and confessions hold.

Peter encourages Christians to always be prepared to give an answer when our faith is put into question (1 Peter 3:15). As Trueman progressed in “Crisis of Confidence,” this verse kept coming back to me. Creeds and confessions do just what Peter encourages us to do: take biblical truth and put them into concise statements that help answer questions about the Christian faith. They inform our doctrine, church governance, and Christian unity. Creeds and confessions even help us in our worship.

Most importantly, creeds and confessions do not go against “Scripture alone” (at least historic, biblical creeds). Dr. Trueman delivered well on this topic, but I wish he would have narrated himself!

Helpful and worth the time

A compelling argument that words matter...and history matters....and teaching rightly matters. I'm thankful I read it.

Very relevant to this time in the modern church life.

I would highly recommend reading and rereading this book. The subject matter is not only relevant to the church but to our day to day life as a commented follower of Jesus Christ.

Sound theology made interesting and clear

Carl Trueman offers a rare thing today: clear thinking and clear writing on a subject often overlooked because of its conplexity. No matter where you land on the subject, Trueman’s book is a valuable resource to better understanding of the role that creeds play in the Christian faith.

Truth and clarity

This is a compelling defense of creeds and confessions for the identity of the church.

Foundational and Practical

Excellent historical overview of creeds and confessions and how they practically applied to us today. Should be a standard read for any Christian who wants to understand confessionalism and self reflection if their church really upholds biblical teachings.

Importance of the subject

Trueman is clear and compelling in his advocacy of confessions of faith for churches today.

Well written Well said!

Growing up in a Southern Baptist home of a Southern Baptist pastor, though never discussed, I’m not sure I had a good grasp on such documents as the Apostle’s Creed or the Westminster Catechism and their place in history Trueman’s writings place all of this in its proper context and gives an excellent explanation of the validity of Creeds and Confessions in the Modern Church. There is a lot to be said for documents that have survived the test of time. Even Southern Baptist have our own type of confessional statement in the Baptist Faith and Message. A wonderful point is that creeds don’t have to be modified for a current situation in modern culture They already contain statements that can be applied to society now. Fantastic Read.