In my last post, I outlined three core purposes of creeds. Here, I outline four more purposes of creeds that guarantee their enduring relevance for the church.
First, creeds serve an apologetic purpose. While Judaism has the Shema, Muslims have the Shahadah and Tashahhud, and some modern forms of Hinduism have credal beliefs, most world religions do not insist on affirmation of an authoritative formulation of beliefs. Some adherents of atheism claim to have a creed, but this merely purports to deny the existence of a transcendent divine being – arguably testifying to the reality of such a being.
Christianity is different. Its core teachings are frequently summarised and recited in the form of a creed. The Christian creeds also serve a purpose beyond the Christian faith community, setting forth for people of other faiths, or no faith, the view that there are widely agreed upon doctrines drawn from the Bible and commended for affirmation. Conversely, the Christian creeds declare that there are also false or misleading doctrines that should be rejected.
Since they testify to the creating and saving acts of God, creeds offer a defence of a Christian worldview, a summary of essential Christian doctrines, and an invitation to believe. Indeed, as I noted in the fifth article in this series, the blind man’s declaration, “I believe,” recorded in John 9:36-38 may be the first and shortest example of a credal statement in Scripture. Creeds, then, may serve an apologetic purpose, commending the way of Jesus and encouraging experiential faith.
Second, creeds inspire Christian unity. When Christians declare, “We believe…” they join others in freely confessing the truths they speak in the words of the creed. The creed unites those who affirm it in a universal community of faith across time and space. One of the great blessings of global travel for Christians is to arrive in a seemingly alien culture and experience warm fellowship with other Christians who share the same core beliefs and commitments.
Such credal assent also encourages us to work toward greater unity in principle and in practice, passing on a strong and enduring faith to future generations wherever they happen to live. As Luke Timothy Johnson writes, the church “identifies itself as one instrument of Christian unity among others” and “opens possibilities for Christians of all sorts to grow together within a framework of their essential and shared commitment.”[1]
Despite notable controversies and challenges, references in the New Testament to proto-credal statements imply the existence of a united Christian community whose members identified with each other on the basis of shared essential beliefs (see, e.g., Rom 10:9f; 1 Cor 15:3-11). These standards inspired unity among the first Christians and continue to do so.
Third, creeds encourage intelligent worship. The practice of reciting or singing the creed as part of a Christian service of worship prepares participants to engage in worship, and reminds each worshipper of the glory, power, kindness and mercy of God. It also tangibly unites those who gather in the name of Jesus. Creeds may also be recited devotionally by individuals.
Other liturgical elements such as reciting the “Lord’s Prayer,” and announcing biblical benedictions, contribute to intelligent worship. Recitation does not guarantee intelligent worship and it is important to pay attention to what is read, sung and heard in public worship.
In formal liturgy, the creed is usually recited after the liturgy of the Word, preparing the congregation for the liturgy of the Eucharist (a tradition instituted by the Roman Emperor Charlemagne in 798 and formally ratified by Pope Benedict VIII in 1014). Placed thus, the creed “mimes the transition first accomplished by baptism, when catechumens entered fully into the life of the faithful.”[2]
Fourth, creeds promote church order. Creeds provide “a bridge between the complex witnesses of Scripture and the moral lives of believers.”[3] They reveal little about ecclesiology, but do set a standard of doctrinal orthodoxy, helping to maintain internal discipline.
Church leaders are usually required to affirm a standard statement of beliefs upon appointment or election and are expected to resign from office if they cease to affirm those beliefs. The preaching and teaching of church leaders is expected to reflect the rule of faith set forth in the creed. Creeds and confessions also help to define one church in relation to another.
We have seen, then, that creeds serve seven important purposes in the life of the church. They tell a glorious story, pass on doctrines to future generations, construct a world, function apologetically, inspire Christian unity, encourage intelligent worship, and promote church order. Are there further functions that creeds may serve?
Dr Rod Benson is Research Support Officer at Moore Theological College, Sydney. He previously pastored four Baptist churches in Queensland and NSW, and served for 12 years as an ethicist with the Tinsley Institute at Morling College.
References
[1] Luke Timothy Johnson, The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why It Matters (London: Darton, Longman & Todd, 2003), 302.
[2] Johnston, 63.
[3] Johnston, 61.
Image source: World Council of Churches
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