In the 1,700th anniversary of the promulgation of the Nicene Creed in 325, Michael Reeves has given us a very readable book on the benefits of Creeds which should foster “unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, charity in all things” (p.8-9).
The very act of reciting a Creed counters a sinful rejection of God’s revelation. Our society views dogmatic truths as arrogant, but in fact holding to a creed is an act of humility as one submits to an authority greater than ourselves. Scripture remains supreme, but a Creed based on Scripture will help us hold onto the truth in the face of a hostile world.
Reeves focuses on the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds, giving the historical-theological backgrounds and a brief exposition. The Nicene Creed refuted the Arian heresy that Jesus is not fully God, which also means that the Father is not the eternal Father either, and leads to works salvation. The Apostles’ Creed began as a baptismal formula and was fixed in wording by the 8th century.
Evangelicals are sometimes concerned that the ancient Creeds do not cover the core soteriological issues such as justification by faith. However, Reeves argues that no Creed is a full exposition of truth and that other key doctrines are there in embryo. The Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds show that Jesus is the only Saviour, and the Reformers believed that they were expounding the Creed. For example, Calvin’s Institutes is structured around the Apostles’ Creed. Perhaps less liturgical churches should consider reciting a Creed together when meeting.
GUARD THE GOSPEL: The Value and Treasure of Creeds By Michael Reeves. Union Publishing. 80 pages £4.99. ISBN 978 1 068 394 645
