Baptism, Resurrection, and the Coming Age

The other day in this series on the Creed, we looked what it has to say about the Church, as the community of faith. Today we’ll look at the final three clauses of the Nicene Creed, which talk about the ways we participate in that community, in this life and the next (in what the … Continue reading Baptism, Resurrection, and the Coming Age

In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church

We’re now coming to the last section of the Creed, which shifts its attention from the nature of God to some basic things about the Christian life. Today, we’ll look at the Church, which the Creed calls “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.” Right off the mark, we have to say that this description is both … Continue reading In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church

…Who Spoke by the Prophets

A recurring theme here on the blog over the years has been the idea that one of the major claims the first Christians made was that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, historically reserved for those with unique vocations of leadership, was now poured out richly upon the whole community of faith. But this is … Continue reading …Who Spoke by the Prophets

… Who Proceeds from the Father …

The Nicene Creed is, at least theoretically, one of the major forces that unifies Christians. But, as we will see today, its text has created as much division as it has resolved. Today I’m going to try, as best as I can, to summarize the controversy, which is about the relationships among the Trinity, its … Continue reading … Who Proceeds from the Father …