The Westminster Assembly: Who Wrote the Westminster Confession and Why

Rev. C•D•F• Warrington, M.Div.
By Rev. C•D•F• Warrington, M.Div.

Ordained Minister, M.Div.

May 16, 2026

2 min read

Oil painting of the Westminster Assembly of theologians gathered in Westminster Abbey debating the confession by candlelight

The Westminster Assembly convened in July 1643, called by the Long Parliament during the English Civil War. Its purpose was to reform the Church of England along more thoroughly Reformed lines. Parliament needed the military support of the Scottish Covenanters, who demanded in exchange that England adopt Presbyterian church government and Reformed doctrine.

The Participants

The Assembly included over 120 English ministers, the divines, along with Scottish commissioners whose influence proved decisive. Among the most influential were Samuel Rutherford, George Gillespie, and Alexander Henderson on the Scottish side, and Anthony Tuckney and Edmund Calamy on the English side.

What the Assembly Produced

Over six years the Assembly produced the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger Catechism, the Shorter Catechism, a Directory for Public Worship, and a Form of Presbyterian Church Government. The Confession was completed in 1646. Scotland adopted it almost immediately. England returned to episcopacy after the Restoration, and the documents found their lasting home in Presbyterian churches worldwide.

Why It Endured

The Westminster Confession endured because it combined doctrinal precision with scriptural breadth. Each article is anchored to proof texts; each formulation reflects decades of Reformed theological development. It represents the mature achievement of English and Scottish Reformed theology, and it has served as the doctrinal standard for Presbyterian churches around the world for nearly four centuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote the Westminster Confession of Faith?

The Westminster Confession was produced by the Westminster Assembly, a body of approximately 121 English and Scottish theologians who met from 1643 to 1652. Convened by the English Parliament, the Assembly aimed to reform the Church of England along Reformed lines and produce a shared doctrinal standard.

When and why was the Westminster Assembly convened?

Parliament convened the Westminster Assembly in 1643 during the English Civil War, hoping to unify the churches of the British Isles under a common Reformed confession. Most of its major documents, including the Confession and Catechisms, were completed by 1648.

Were all the Westminster divines English?

No. While most members were English Puritans, Scottish commissioners played a crucial role. Figures like Samuel Rutherford, Alexander Henderson, and George Gillespie brought a strong Presbyterian perspective that significantly shaped the final documents.

Is the Westminster Confession still used today?

Yes. The Westminster Confession remains the primary doctrinal standard for Presbyterian churches worldwide, including the Presbyterian Church in America and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. It is among the most influential Reformed confessional documents in history.

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