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Creeds Compendium — Volume 3

Last autumn, Christis invited readers to write summarising statements of their personal religious beliefs. The response has been fascinating. Here, Matt Campbell introduces our third selection of creeds.

A few weeks ago, a friend, knowing I was preparing this article, passed me what is probably the first book of popular theology I’ve ever read with rapt attention: Angela Tilby’s Won’t You Join The Dance?, both a meditation on and an introduction to the world of the historic creeds of the church. In many ways it knocked my ideas about quite a bit, most notably on what we may be doing if we collectively recite a creed. Before going on to introduce (inasmuch as I can) the three very unique individual voices that have been brave enough to submit themselves to the scrutiny of Christis readers, I’d like to quote a fairly lengthy passage from this book, and commend it to people who want to find out more:

Christians acknowledge a number of different sources of authority. Some emphasize the Bible, others the tradition of the Church, others the voice of individual conscience. The creeds do not claim to be authorities. They do not begin “I believe in the creeds … ” In fact, they read more like lists of other authorities: God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church. Religious people can be rather indiscriminating about authority. Some who baulk at reciting creeds have a quite naive and childlike faith in the literal truth of the bible or of the undeviating correctness of their vicar’s point of view, or of their own.

The creeds, if they are authorities, are rather humble ones. They point elsewhere …

The three individually worked out creeds here are combination of some of the things mentioned in the Angela Tilby quote above: in parts they may point towards other authorities with varying conviction. One appears to have a greater faith in the authority of the Church and the Bible. The other two are definitely more, according to different lights, the voice of individual conscience.

The huge variety of belief here, unfettered by adherence to a direct church doctrine in most cases, may lead people to doubt how all three of our writers may be Christian

I’d refrain from commenting on that individually, save to say that to start to think those sort of thoughts may be very dangerous indeed. What is certain is that all of these people seem to have had contact with ‘official’ Christianity, and use at least some of its language to express their own points of view. All are in some sense searching for more understanding about the Christian God, Jesus Christ, and how to worship him more fully in their lives.

I’ll close by inviting you to read carefully and forgivingly the creeds that follow, trying to understand where they’re coming from, and not immediately getting irate if you disagree violently, which you’re bound to do on some points (then again, if you do disagree violently, please write your own creed for us to see!). Also thank-you to the writer of the second creed, who dropped theirs into the Christis mailbox with some fascinating notes of commentary, which I’d like to quote, not necessarily as carrying my own precise beliefs, but as something that encapsulates a little of the spirit involved in trying to answer to our own beliefs, as honestly as possible:

Once I got going I actually put down things I never thought of in the past. I feel that I have missed something, but you will probably agree with me in thinking that I’ve said enough …

… The ancient creeds still have the validity they always had, but a change of direction, an adaptation of language, themes and phrases is not out of place. Feel free to edit and improve the English, but for once I don’t feel I have waffled on so please don’t chop and change …

Thank-you to all who’ve contributed to this article. Do please continue to write in and participate in our random study of individual takes on Christianity (details below). Hopefully you’ll get as much out of reading these creeds as I have out of putting this article together, and it will at least give you something to argue over in the bar …

Creed 1: Authority and structure?

I believe in an Almighty God
Who created everything; all that we see around us
And much that is beyond our comprehension.

I believe in God the Father
Who has given us his inspired word,
The Bible, our holy scripture,
Through which we know his will.

I believe in Jesus Christ;
God’s Word made flesh
To teach us, to suffer and to die for us.
In him we have salvation from our sins.

I believe in the Holy Spirit sent upon us;
Breathing fresh life into the Scriptures,
Empowering us to do his will.
Dwelling in the hearts of all believers,
Binding us together in unity

Creed 2: Confusion and Honesty?

I believe in a God that created all around us, a God that created us.

I believe God loves each of his creations, showing compassion, mercy and love for all of his so varied children.

I believe that to show us his mercy and saving grace he sent his Son to Earth, to teach, heal and die for us: strengthening our understanding of him and ourselves, and relieving the burden of our sin if we truly desire it.

I believe that God has touched many of us in different ways, and that through the writings of some of us we can all learn the true meaning of our faith, but also learn to read and acknowledge the opinions of others, and to use our judgement to gain most from them.

I believe that God wants us to show love to all our fellow humans. To comfort and protect them, to listen to them and guide them. God doesn’t want us to condemn those outside our faith, or want us to judge anyone for aspects of their lives that are beyond their power.

I want to believe that through prayer I can make God aware of my thanks and joys, but also aware of my sorrows and needs, and that eventually he will answer.

I hope that my God of mercy doesn’t condemn me when my faith falters, but that he will show his presence and banish my darkness.

Creed 3: Individualism and Diversity?

I believe in God:
A god who is God —
Eternal, unchanging as the beads within a kaleidoscope
But appearing to change, and appearing as a different pattern to each individual.
All theists — and all seeking truth and fulfilment — worship my God for he is the only one.
He is my father, my best friend, my comfort, my joy.
Through his Son Jesus Christ he redeemed me.
He revealed himself through the saints and prophets, such as Moses and Mohammed.
He is revealed today through all good acts.
No human can fail to believe in him — for he is all in all.
No human can fail to pray to him — for our breath and thoughts, our very life is prayer.
No human can fail to worship him — for our very creation, skills and gifts cry out in praise.
He is my Saviour, Creator, Lover and Friend.
In him I am Whole.

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Last modified: 25th November 2005