Reflections on the Importance of Creeds in Christianity
About a decade ago, BuzzFeed released a video featuring statements like, “I’m a Christian, but I’m not…” These testimonials emphasized progressive values, claiming things like, “I’m a Christian, but I’m not a homophobe,” and asserting that Christianity is fundamentally about love and acceptance.
Yet, at the core of Christianity lies the love of God as revealed through Christ. This concept, like other essential beliefs, is grounded in divine revelation. Thus, these truths are not meant for limitless interpretation; they are, in a sense, set in stone.
The Church, grappling with these foundational beliefs, shaped the essence of Christianity in the Creed—a vital guide for believers over many centuries. As new ideas emerged, often distorting or deviating from traditional beliefs, Christians found themselves needing to reaffirm the core truths. The Creed ultimately outlines what is accurate and accepted within the Church.
Some view creeds as unnecessary barriers between believers and scripture, or as outdated methods that hinder the Holy Spirit’s influence. Critics argue that creeds serve the interests of the powerful at the expense of other faiths, but these opinions miss the mark.
Historically, the most established beliefs tend to be the oldest. The well-known Apostles’ Creed is thought to have originated from the apostles themselves shortly after Christ’s ascension. While the exact details of its creation might be mythical, the Creed accurately reflects apostolic teachings. As historian Justo González points out, the first iteration was likely put together in Rome around 150 AD, a time close enough that the elders had direct links to the apostles.
This Creed helped differentiate Christianity from pagan beliefs and was probably declared by new believers during baptism. It encapsulates the essential doctrines of Christianity, with affirmations for each person of the Trinity: the Creator (the Father), the Savior (the Son), and the Holy Spirit. It also pushed back against groups claiming a distorted understanding of Jesus for their own agendas—like the Marcionites, who sought a judgment-free Jesus, or the Gnostic teachers, who denied God as Creator. Each of these is countered by the Creed’s affirmations.
Several centuries later, the Nicene Creed emerged, distinguishing between Trinitarian Christians who acknowledged Jesus as fully divine and those who did not. Contrary to the claims made in some popular novels, the Christians had believed in the divinity of Jesus long before any influence from the Romans; this belief was intrinsic to the faith itself.
The Nicene Creed built on the Apostles’ Creed, expanding upon its structure while maintaining its Trinitarian focus. It addressed erroneous ideas from within the Church rather than outside sources. The Egyptian teacher Arius proposed a significantly diluted view of Jesus’s divinity, which, though appealing to some philosophers, deviated from Christ’s true teachings. The Nicene Creed countered these emerging errors by refining the understanding of Jesus Christ.
In essence, the Creed does not introduce new doctrines; instead, it clarifies and delineates the boundaries of accepted beliefs. This is vital today since there are individuals and groups that claim to follow Christ while distorting what He taught. Creeds serve as essential guidelines for determining fundamental beliefs regarding salvation.
C.S. Lewis once likened Christianity to a “house,” filled with various rooms and hallways. Throughout Church history, creeds have defined the limits of the Christian faith, illustrating who belongs within the same spiritual household. Thus, the relevance of the Creed remains strong today.
