No, not the music group (although I did like their music). 
Creed as in “system of belief.”
I was raised in a religious “tradition” that did not hold to creeds. I confess that I had never…NEVER…even heard of a thing called the Apostle’s Creed or Westminster Confession of Faith or the Nicene Creed. I was probably in my 20s, maybe 30s, before I even read the AC all the way through. You see, I was also raised with the moniker “No creed but Christ; no book but the Bible.”
I. STILL. BELIEVE. THAT.
However, I am not as adamant as I used to be. I used to think they were spawns of the devil, written to confuse simple Christianity. But maturity has brought another viewpoint. For some, having things written down is good. It helps “organize” a person’s belief system in their head and therefore, make more sense to the ordering of their faith.
I still couldn’t tell you the Apostle’s Creed, although I have referred to it from time to time when teaching or preaching. I know the first line of the Westminster Shorter Catechism only because it is referred to so much when talking about purpose and worship: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” The Nicene Creed? Totally lost.
I hope you don’t think bad of me (there is my people-pleasing part of me coming out) , but I really don’t care whether I know how to quote any creed. I honestly don’t need a creed to tell me what I believe, but I’m okay with those who do as long as they do not allow the creed to surpass the importance of the Bible. No book takes precedence over the Bible. No writing should either. No work of man-which to me is exactly what a creed is.
After yesterday’s post and great discussion, I thought it would be good to take a quick break and reiterate my beliefs. But please allow me to do it in an unconventional way using this video. Yeah, it is dated (check out the hair and clothes). Yeah, the acting part of it is in the “what the?” category since it makes no sense. It is the only one I could find the lyrics on the video.
What are your thoughts about creeds? Do you hold to one?
I like Rich Mullins’ song Creed, but no, I don’t hold to any particular creed. I’m not against them. I like John Piper’s take on the first line of Westminster, The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying him forever.
I know Rich did a song but I was not a big fan so I can’t speak of his song. I too like that first line.
We use the Creeds just about every Sunday at worship. We don’t have to, but we feel they help keep us grounded in the faith, and they help to keep us anchored to the core beliefs of Christianity.
They are almost like greeting cards. They express what we believe (accurately) without us having to fish around to find the right words.
Thanks.
Good way to look at creeds Steve- greeting cards.
I grew up in a church that was like yours – no creed but Christ; no book but the Bible. It was not until college that I heard of creeds. I pretty much fall in line with your line of thinking on this – over the years I have become less adamant.
Still finding out more about my twin.
We recite the Nicene Creed every Sunday. I don’t have a problem of it. In fact, I know at least one woman who grew up in a faith tradition that recited the Nicene Creed weekly who got saved later in life because of reciting it every Sunday. She really wasn’t into being a person of faith, but one Sunday after church the Holy Spirit opened her eyes and she said, “It’s true! That is the truth.” Afterward she received Jesus as her Savior, and has been growing in her faith by leaps and bounds.
If they can do that then I have no problem with them. But when done rote-like they have worn out their welcome. Sort of like the church I once served that had to say the Model Prayer every Sunday and some got mad cuz I stopped and upset their routine.
I like creeds and I think the Apostle’s Creed is a powerfully simple reflection of the truth.
If studied I think that is what is seen Jay.
I don’t come from a tradition that has given importance to creeds. I have heard of them, but could not cite any of them.
Words written or spoken have no significance unless their impact is evident in our living.
Very true Dusty. Bible or creed it must be evident.
I get the whole point of establishing a mission statement for the Christian faith for the world to see, but the Nicene creed sounds so Catholic to me, it resonates with legalism.
I’m with you, God’s word first. They could have just as well quoted John 3:16 and probably saved a lot of church persecution in the process.
At least I’m not very opinionated!
Glad you are not opinionated Floyd. I would hate to see if you were.
I do not know any creeds, so I guess that it means that I don’t hold to any. Actually as I think about it, Dr. Ruth used to say “If it feels good do it”. But I don’t follow that one either.
Yeah, I don’t think Dr. Ruth’s was a very good one either.
Hi Bill,
To think the band Petra was in it’s early days thought of as too ungodly by some christians because of their music style. Wow! They are tame by the standard of today’s emerging music. I had a listen to a few moments of my 15 year old neighbor’s music preference. I get the generation gap now. I couldn’t stand to listen to it for even five minutes. It sounds like outraged and violent music to me. Especially the vocals.
Creeds… they were not major parts in the worship of any church I have attended. None of the creeds you mention here the Nicene, Apostle’s Creed, Westminster Shorter Catechism were used that I know of. Churches had a statement of beliefs, but it was mostly just there and not used.
If churches have them I think they need to be quite basic in doctrine.
I looked up the Nicene Creed. It was made in an attempt to unify the christian church under Constantine.
The same thing appears to be happening today but people (in authority)? are trying to unify all religions as much as possible for (allegedly) reasons of peace and safety. We may find a creed emerging to try and unify christians, muslims, jews, and other religions.
Somehow I think christians, muslims and jews are pawns in all of this. We’re being used by entities hereto unknown (unrevealed) perhaps. We do know that the antichrist will not care what our creeds are. He will demand the worship of all peoples and religions.
True about Petra. Go figure. Already attempts have been made to unify the different religious groups you mention. Ain’t no way that will happen for obvious reasons.
A Creed is nothing more than a statement of what one believes. The main christian ones were put out by the Church of Rome to get everyone on the same page as there was a lot of drifting off in different directions which didn’t make the Pope happy. Then different denominations each put their own little spin on it. So if they sound Catholic it is because they are.
Everyone has a creed. If you don’t believe in creeds then your creed is…I don’t believe in Creeds.
It sort of the Cliff Notes to summarize what a person believes.
It is not a system of belief but just a statement of belief.
Statement is a better word to use than system. My bad. You are right about the origins of many of them. Thanks for the helpful comment Jeff.
Petra- NICE!
That takes me back, Bill. They were some of the first Christian music pioneers to start turning heads.
I agree with you on the purpose of creeds, as long as the don’t take the place of scripture. Like Larry, I’m a big fan of where Piper has taken that line from the Westminster Shorter Catechism.
Petra. DeGarmo & Key. Rez. WOW! Now those are some old bands.
Nothing should take the place of Scripture.
That song is right off the parchment pages of our blessed
Bible. Think I will post it on my fb book today. Good post to start my day brother. Blessings
Hard to argue with Scripture songs. Thanks for posting that Betty. I am not on fb but do appreciate it.
The thing I find most interesting about creeds is that they are like a yoke put on us by man.
Good word picture to use Ed, especially if they bind people.
I’ve honestly never thought about creeds. I’ve heard about the Apostles Creed but just assumed that was the Bible.
I can see that happening since I am was as blind to it as you say you are TC.
Oh boy, I feel real dumb here because I am not sure what any of those 3 creeds you mentioned are! The only “creed” I adhere to is John 3:16!
Don’t feel dumb. I wouldn’t have known of them either if I hadn’t had to.