Introduction
What is a creed?
A creed is a statement of what a given person or institution believes to be true.
How do Christians use the word creed?
Christians use this word to refer to a statement of what we understand the Bible to teach. The word itself comes from the Latin word credo which is just the first person singular form of the verb to believe.
Why do Christians feel the need to write up these creeds?
Because the Bible itself does not give us a concise and systematic statement of all that it teaches. Consider the question, “What do you understand the Bible t0 teach?” Our reply to this question will be a creed.
Some people do not like creeds. Why?
Because creeds are the product of a fallible human person while the Bible is ultimately the product of God’s infallible mind. Surely it makes more sense to stick to the infallible Bible than to a fallible human statement of what the Bible teaches.
What reply can be made to this?
Because the question posed above still needs to be answered. “What do you understand the Bible t0 teach?” Our reply to this question will be a creed. Whether one likes creeds or not, this question cannot be answered simply by reading the Bible or quoting it. The answer to this question must necessarily be the product of a fallible human mind.
To what should this reality lead us?
Our fallibility should lead us to pray earnestly for the light and leading of the Holy Spirit who Jesus promised would lead us into all the truth. (John 16:13-15)
Are you saying then that every Christian has a creed whether they admit to it or not?
Yes.
I have heard others say that they will have no creed except Christ.
The thought is a good one, but the question still remains, which Christ?. People believe that Jesus was all sorts of different things as in this book. As soon as one is asked which Jesus they believe in, they will have to respond in the words of a creed. In other words, they will have to give their own, fallible statement of who they understand Jesus to be.
It seems then, that creeds are inescapable. They are a necessary part of our walk with God.
Yes, this is certainly true.
Does the Bible teach us anything about creeds?