Foundation for Reformed Theology

Greetings!

The Scots Confession, written and adopted in 1560, begins with a remarkable confession of faith in God and then moves immediately to specify four areas of our duty to God:

We confess and acknowledge one God alone,
(1) to whom alone we must cleave,
(2) whom alone we must serve,
(3) whom only we must worship, and
(4) in whom alone we put our trust.

It is still our faith today that there is "one God alone." That is to say, there are not countless gods. There are not three gods. There is not no god. Instead, there is "one God alone." We do well to continue to remember, confess, and acknowledge this.

Quickly enough, the Scots Confession identifies the one God as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Then it confesses that God is the creator, sustainer, and ruler of heaven and earth and all that is in them. This is the "one God alone" to whom we owe our duty yet today.

So it is that we are (1) to cleave, cling, and adhere to this one God alone, and not to seek out or run after any others. We are (2) to live our lives serving this one God alone, and not be led astray by any pretenders. This one God alone are we (3) to worship, praise, adore, hear, and thank, and so not pour ourselves out to any other. And in this one God alone are we (4) to place all our trust, faith, and confidence, not looking to any other to provide what God alone can give.

When we are tempted to wander, to scatter our energies, to bow before false and undeserving thrones, or to place undue confidence in other figures or powers, let us read, remember, and reaffirm the historic faith of the church articulated in the Scots Confession.

And if and when our faith wavers, our trust wanes, or our confidence slips away, let us take courage and be made bold by the concluding prayer of the Scots Confession, which asks God to arise and do four things, culminating in leading all nations to saving faith:

Arise, O Lord, and
(1) let thine enemies be confounded;
(2) let them flee from thy presence that hate thy godly Name.
(3) Give thy servants strength to speak thy Word with boldness, and
(4) let all nations cleave to the true knowledge of thee. Amen.

Dr. James C. Goodloe IVThank you for your ongoing interest in the mission and work of the Foundation. To learn more about how to help us promote the recovery and application of Reformed theology, please click on this link:

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Grace and Peace,

Dr. James C. Goodloe IV, Executive Director

Foundation for Reformed Theology

4103 Monument Avenue

Richmond, Virginia 23230

 

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