Creed as verbum breviatum

The Apostles’ Creed is an expression of Christian theology in a period of creative and fascinating debate. The Creed is not simply a dogmatic, static and cryptic symbol of Christian faith, but, on the contrary, a lively narrative that can still inspire imagination, critical reflection and faith. A challenge is issued to both those who have a literal interpretation of the Creed, and those who dismiss it as an incomprehensible relic of the past. The ancient debates that led to the formulation of the twelve pronouncements of the Apostles’ Creed are raised. The richness of early Christian thought is fore-grounded by looking at the ideas behind each credal pronouncement, tracing the most important Christian theological debates that inspired each statement. Early Christian theology is not treated as ‘unanimous’, but as pluralistic. The polyphony of theologian opinion which characterized the Christianity of this period is therefore highlighted and celebrated. In explaining the context that gave birth to the Creed, this study refers to the testimony of various ‘witnesses’ of those theological arguments. This includes opponents of the Apostolic and Church Fathers: the Gnostics, ‘heretics', Jewish and pagan critics of Christian faith. .

In 1876, this three volume collection of cross-denominational creeds was deemed by its publisher a "symbolical library" well worth visiting. In Volume I, Schaff introduces the creeds by providing general information regarding their origin, value, authority, and classification. First, Schaff presents the Ecumenical Creeds, which contain the most basic doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation. These fundamental creeds are the Apostle's Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Creed of Chalcedon, and the Athanasian Creed. Next, Schaff considers the Greek and Roman Creeds, which differ significantly from Protestantism and from each other. Schaff then explores the Evangelical Protestant Creeds, which emerged around the time of the Reformation and are divided into two camps, Reformed and Lutheran. Schaff concludes by giving some attention to the Creeds of Modern Evangelical Denominations. Through Creeds of Christendom, Schaff aims to bring understanding to those who adhere to different creeds. Schaff wisely reminds us that despite varying Christian denominations, Christ always remains at the center of the creeds. Emmalon Davis CCEL Staff Writer

"The SCM Studyguide Early Christian Doctrine and the Creeds" offers an accessible, stimulating and interactive guide-book to the emergence of Christian identity, with particular attention to the earliest form of the Christian thought and doctrine. The author analyses the crucial statements of the early Creeds and rules of faith. He explains the creedal statements on the nature of God, creation, incarnation, redemption, the Church and eschatology, and outlines the theological context which influenced their formulation and later modifications by other texts and authors. The Creeds are part of the heritage of all Christian tradition and therefore have to be studied by both theological students and in the context of 'education for discipleship' modules. .

Studia patristica, 2017

2018

Front matter + preface and introduction (pre-publication proofs).

A primer on defending the Christian Creed, or rather the Messianic Jewish belief, in the Hebrew Gospels.