The Westminster Standards

Abstract

Many contemporary critics of the Westminster Standards believe that it is a doctrinal straightjacket that narrows the bounds of permissible beliefs within the church. The confession does define the boundaries of orthodoxy but it was written in such a manner as to accommodate several different versions of the covenant of works. The Westminster divines did not agree on whether Adam’s reward was temporal or eternal life. They also disagreed on the proper exegetical foundation for the doctrine. There was also disagreement on the precise way to relate the Adamic and Mosaic covenants. The confession thus codifies the broad parameters of the doctrine to allow for a diversified orthodoxy.