Results tagged “Creeds and Confessions” from Reformation21

As we come to the last of our studies in the Apostles' Creed, we cannot help but be struck by the way it ends: I believe '...in the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting'. Given the brevity of the preceding statement on the forgiveness of sins, there is something in us that wants to hear more about the 'here and now' of the life of faith; but instead we're taken directly to the 'there and then'. continue

The full depth of what that means brings us back to what went wrong with our race at the very beginning and to God's intentions for humanity as it was meant to be. As man was made uniquely for union and communion with God, so his union and communion with his fellow human beings was contingent on that primary relationship being intact. continue

The One whose appearance and true identity were obscured and marred almost beyond recognition through his incarnation and then his crucifixion, is now exalted to his rightful place as Saviour-King of the world. continue

Having already read some of Dr. Enns' shorter writings, and having attended a colloquium on Enns' book at the 2006 annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, I recently finished reading Inspiration and Incarnation, and thought that I would share some thoughts about the volume. continue

 It is one of best-known facts of Bible; yet it is shrouded in mystery. Its details are rehearsed every year in preaching, reading and song; yet they defy our comprehension. The virgin birth - or, more accurately, the virginal conception... continue

'I believe in God...!' So what? - don't most people? The number of real atheists in the world and throughout history is pretty small. So what's so special about these opening four words of the Apostles' Creed? The answer, of course, is what lies behind them. continue

When I was at Primary School in the British state school system many moons ago, it was still the norm not only to teach pupils the Apostles' Creed, but also to have them recite it in class. Looking back on that experience brings many thoughts to mind. continue

On the issue of creeds, the evangelical world often seems absolutely divided into two broad camps: There are those who are so passionately committed to a particularly narrow view of scripture's sufficiency that they not only deny the need for creeds and confessions but regard them as actually wrong, an illegitimate attempt to supplement scripture or to narrow the Christian faith in doctrinal or cultural ways beyond the limits set by scripture itself. Then there are those whose view of creeds and confessions is so high that any other theological statement, and sometimes even the Bible itself, seems to be of secondary importance. Neither group, I believe, really does the creeds justice. continue

Confessions are doctrinal summaries of the Bible's teaching. They are written by the Church for the Church and the world. They are written for the world because churches with creeds and confessions are trying to be honest about themselves. These doctrinal statements announce that this is a church that has beliefs and is willing to list the most important ones for all to see. This is the very thing that cults and sects refuse to do. When they arrive at your door on Saturday mornings they discuss all things peripheral; their pamphlets hide what they believe and so do their websites. continue