I have shared your unease for many years, Chris, and while it has been subconsciously dealt with by a recognition of these general points (that the story matters, that the heart of the matter IS important — not just the head, etc.), I am very grateful for this particularly clear insight into the specifics of the 'disconnect', as it were. However, my overarching conclusion would be that it has been (largely, though probably not entirely) the fault of the _users_ of the WCF, abusing it for their own purposes (among the most easily identified are legalism and lack of day-to-day faith in Christ) that has caused so much confusion, not the fault of the confession or its writers, to whom we ought not assign motives or spiritual failings when it can hardly be claimed that the writing of any confession at any time in history was intended to be a replacement for the regular reading of Scripture in the way it was meant to be read.

What difference does it make, for example, whether we conceive of God as "Spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth;" or whether we conceive of him as "The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," "The God who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist," "The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ"?

I think it makes all the difference in the world. The latter statements recognize that God is tied to a particular narrative in a way that Westminster doesn't, in a way that Westminster can't, even, because of the way that it conceptualizes the theological task (which is tied to how it conceptualizes God, etc.).

I agree that some reformed folks lean on the confession too much but it's just a matter of fact that the confessions says some things in such a succinct way that it's nigh impossible to improve upon it. SOme quote books and some quote sermons. Others simply quote the confession.

One must then also ask about denominational doctrinal statements. Most denominations have a doctrinal statement that must be agree upon before someone can claim membership in said denomination. Are these contrary to sola scriptura as well?