I BELIEVE …
The Apostles’ Creed simply explained
By Timothy Cross. Day One Publications. 91 pages. £6.00
ISBN 978-1-84625-201-3
This book does what it says on the tin — and does it well. In 12 short chapters, one for each of the main statements of the creed, Dr. Cross explains simply the doctrines of Christian faith from God the Father Almighty through to the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
I am a Church of England minister, and if I felt that my congregation had considered and understood the creed as this book explains it, I would feel much happier about getting them all to recite it on Sundays. It makes me wonder how many songs we sing and words we say in church, without properly appreciating the wonders they express. Perhaps it will soon be time for a sermon series on this creed.
The book begins (under ‘I believe in God’) with a helpful focus on God’s world and God’s word, showing how we may know anything about God at all. This sets the scene for the biblical exposition of the creed that it gives throughout.
There is an appeal not only to the mind, but also to the heart, which is helped by appropriate interspersing of hymn verses throughout the text. It is also pastoral in application, reminding us, for example, that we should bring our problems and burdens to God, ‘knowing that with him, as our heavenly Father, there is infinite mercy, and as the Creator of the universe, infinite might’.
There are judicious quotes from the Westminster Shorter Catechism, from Calvin, Bunyan, Matthew Henry, J.C. Ryle, and John Stott to help us along, and a serious but engaging and simple style throughout.
Should I be surprised that the added ending to Mark’s Gospel is quoted as Scripture more than once?
This delightful and approachable book ends with short appendices on the Trinity and on Faith, which perfectly round off a really useful book which I’m glad to recommend to others — and to you.
James Dudley-Smith,
Rector of Yeovil (Churches: St. John’s and St. Andrew’s)
