
Product Details
- Cover Type:
- 272 Pages
- Publisher: Reformation Heritage Books
- Publication Date: March 2010
- ISBN: SBOWERJOLARGERCATECHISMACRIT9781601780850
The Larger Catechism: A Critical Text and Introduction
Publisher's Description
The Larger Catechism stands as one of the three major doctrinal standards produced by the Westminster Assembly. Often overshadowed by the Shorter Catechism and the Confession of Faith, the Larger Catechism exhibits the Assembly's most mature theological reflection and insight. In this remarkable volume, John Bower provides extensive historical background for the making of this colossal catechism. He traces the history of the Assembly's efforts from the initial call for a catechism, through deliberations on its form and content, and down to the intricate process of monitoring its printing. The centerpiece of the volume is Bower's critical text of the catechism. Painstakingly checked and indexed, the critical text is supported by a four-column comparison of the authoritative manuscripts and printings. Graced with a glossary and a catalogue of corrected proof-texts, Bower's text is sure to be the benchmark for future study, modern editions, and foreign translations for years to come.
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About the Author
John R. Bower, M.D., Th.M., is adjunct professor of church history at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh and associate professor of pediatrics at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. His special interest is the history and bibliography of the Westminster Assembly and its members. Dr. Bower is co-editor of the Westminster Assembly Project’s series of Assembly-related works and documents.
Endorsements (${ productEndorsements.length })
“Calvin did not believe a church would survive long without a catechism. He wrote to England telling them that in order for lasting reform to stick, they needed a catechism: it's "is like the seed to keep the good grain from dying out, and causing it to multiply from age to age." ”
Matthew Barrett
Professor of Theology, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Executive Editor, Credo Magazine.
"John Bower has produced an excellent critical text of the Westminster Larger Catechism, accompanied by a fine introduction to the document. Given the vagaries of 17th century publication and the existence of two highly significant pre-publication manuscripts, Bower's careful editing of the text and comparative display of both manuscripts and of the two primary printed versions of the Catechism is a major contribution to the study of the Assembly's work. This volume marks an auspicious beginning for a promising series."
Richard A. Muller
P. J. Zondervan Professor of Historical Theology at Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids
Product Description
Publisher's Description
The Larger Catechism stands as one of the three major doctrinal standards produced by the Westminster Assembly. Often overshadowed by the Shorter Catechism and the Confession of Faith, the Larger Catechism exhibits the Assembly's most mature theological reflection and insight. In this remarkable volume, John Bower provides extensive historical background for the making of this colossal catechism. He traces the history of the Assembly's efforts from the initial call for a catechism, through deliberations on its form and content, and down to the intricate process of monitoring its printing. The centerpiece of the volume is Bower's critical text of the catechism. Painstakingly checked and indexed, the critical text is supported by a four-column comparison of the authoritative manuscripts and printings. Graced with a glossary and a catalogue of corrected proof-texts, Bower's text is sure to be the benchmark for future study, modern editions, and foreign translations for years to come.
Related Media

About The Author
Product Details
- Cover Type:
- 272 Pages
- Publisher: Reformation Heritage Books
- Publication Date: March 2010
- ISBN: SBOWERJOLARGERCATECHISMACRIT9781601780850