Book Review: Faith Confirmed

As I've said before, I'm not an Anglican at the moment, but I believe there is much good in the Anglican Church. Its not perfect (largely because no church is) but the Church of England has wonderful foundations, some wonderful leaders (not least Justin Welby, as I reflected when he visited Trent) and brilliant Gospel opportunities. So I chose to review this book from SPCK, on 'preparing for Confirmation' not because I 100% agree with the Anglican way of doing things, but because I'd heard good things.

I can sum up this books quite simply: if every person I know who has been confirmed had read this book fully, the Church would be in a better state.

This book is meant to prepare the Confirmation candidate for the results and implication of their choice to Confirm their faith in Jesus. It does so with great graphical aplomb, as well as readable and understandable English prose. This is not a book of theology, but it is a book about theology (and all that that implies) which is very readable and relatable. This is an ideal book for new Christians in an Anglican context. Where I to one day be an ordained Anglican and running Confirmation (or even believers baptism in an Anglican context), this book would be a great help in preparing people. 

"Faith Confirmed" is a simply laid out, well illustrated, and readable overview of the Christian faith, in a demonstrably orthodox Anglican way. I don't theologically agree with every single point made by the authors, but Jackson and Wright have done a brilliant job of articulating the important elements of the Gospel simply. There is also a great deal of useful prayer material, anecdotes and so on. This is a book that actually does (in my limited opinion) what it sets out to do. 

Briefly, "Faith Confirmed" flows through 19 topics that make up Anglican confessional Christianity. Beginning (appropriately) with God, the list is as follows (the different sections are different in length, and reflect in helpful way some Anglican diversity, whilst remaining faithful to the core of Anglican Christianity);

1) God
2) Human Nature and Sin
3) Jesus: Life and Ministry
4) Jesus: Death and Resurrection 
5) The Holy Spirit
6) The Church
7) The Creeds
8) The Bible
9) Living as a Christian
10) Prayer and Worship
11) The Sacraments
12) Baptism
13) Confirmation (For simpletons like me, this section is helpful in understanding 'Confirmation')
14) The Eucharist (Lords Supper/Communion)
15) Marriage
16) Confession
17) Ordination
18) Anointing the Sick
19) Life after Death

The layout is simple and straightforward, with plenty of graphics, bullet points, quotes and tables to keep the eye engaged. I reproduce below a picture of the end of one section - showing the 'Thinking it Through', 'Bible Study' and 'For Prayer and Reflection' components that conclude each section - and the beginning of another. It is a good example of well laid out and thought through instruction.

Given the rather specific nature of this book, its somewhat difficult to recommend! For me, its an interesting insight into part of the Discipleship process of the Anglican way of doing Church. It will remain a helpful resource. If its the sort of book you are looking for - then I think its a good one! If you aren't an Anglican, then its probably less helpful.