How should we understand the creeds?

 Eleventh Thursday after Pentecost

Lectionary Texts:

Thursday:

2 Samuel 19

Ephesians 4:17-24

Friday:

2 Samuel 20

Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Today we conclude our series on stuff in the Nicene Creed that's not in the Apostles' Creed. I've gone through all the "stuff," "Stuff" may not sound like a theological word to you, but the German equivalent, Stoff is. It means "material." So a sentence like "Der Stoff auf den Heiligen Geist im Apostlesgeschichte," would mean "The material on the Holy Spirit in the Acts of the Apostles." 

 

Back to the Creeds. How shall we understand them? Should we take them literally? I don't think any of us takes the Bible literally. Why should the creeds be any different? In fact, in the old 1964 Methodist Hymnal the Apostles' Creed began with the liturgist saying, "Let us unite in this historic confession of the Christian faith." Does that give us some wiggle room? Can we choose in the creed what we believe? 

 

The Virgin Birth seems to be the biggest hold-up for a lot of people these days. I know of some people who will say the Creed except that they go silent on the virgin birth stuff. Most of the modern creeds, such as the Canadian Creed, used primarily in University UMC, Chapel Hill, do not mention the Virgin Birth. 

 

I recently heard a pastor say that belief in the Virgin Birth was negotiable, but belief in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ was not.  I didn't say anything, but my thought was: who decides what is non-negotiable and on what basis? Both are miracles, one at the beginning of Christ's life, one at the end. Both are multiple attested in the NT. I will admit that the Gospel of John does not seem to be aware of the Virgin Birth, but Matthew and Luke are, and they have completely separate sources.

Muslims seem to have the reverse opinion from many mainline Protestant Christians on this. They believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus but not in his Resurrection. In fact the Virgin Birth is in the early pages of the Qu'ran. 

Then there are the Baptists and other fundamentalist groups who don't believe in saying any creed. 

I believe in everything in both creeds. I note that the creeds have nothing to say about the Bible. A critical understanding of the Bible is certainly in keeping with the Creeds. 

I think that the Creeds are an Affirmation of Faith. That's usually the way they are listed in church bulletins. Through my work on this study I've come to doubt the filioque in the Nicene Creed, but I still say it. 

Another principle I have is, "Doubt is overrated, but it's ok. Just don't rule anything out. Be open to changing your mind." This is where Methodists and Eastern Orthodox are opposite. United Methodists rewrite our Book of Discipline every four years. Eastern Orthodox say all matters of faith were set eternally by the seven ecumenical councils. No matter of faith has changed since the 10th century nor will any matter of faith ever change again. 

Saying the Creeds: 

I love the way we did it at First UMC, North Wilkesboro. We had communion first Sunday of the Month. We said the Nicene Creed on Communion Sundays. We said the Apostles' Creed oh non-Communion Sundays. They had been doing it that way long before I got there. I was happy to carry on that tradition.

I'm still working on memorizing the Nicene Creed. I'll let you know if I ever get there.

Triune God,

For the Creeds and those who wrote them and all those who have said them and believed them down through the ages we give you thanks. In the name of the Holy Spirit, who inspired them. Amen,

Faithfully,

Christian