Should We Teach The Creed's?
So I'm getting ready to start a new series next week called The Creed. We're going to walk through the Apostle's Creed with our people and take a close look at what we really believe.
I'm very excited for this series as I think it will give us an opportunity to really explore orthodoxy and whether it makes any difference in our lives today. I still consider this Creed to be foundational for my life in terms of what I believe, and it is my hope that many who attend our gathering will be able to engage these historic words in a special way over the next six weeks.
We are going to begin the series with a drama/dance that Sandra is creating that will be perfomed to the song "In The Waiting Line" by Zero 7. I think the lyrics truly sum up the challenge that we face in the 21st Century as we strive to encourage those who are searching for answers in life to consider the truths of Scripture and ancient Christian tradition:
Wait in line
'Till your time
Ticking clock
Everyone stop
Everyone's saying different things to me
Different things to me
Everyone's saying different things to me
Different things to me
Woooohh
Do you believe
In what you see
There doesn't seem to be anybody else who agrees with me
Do you believe
In what you see
Motionless wheel
Nothing is real
Wasting my time In the waiting line
Do you believe in What you see
Nine to five
Living lies
Everyday
Stealing time
Everyone's taking everything they can
Everything they can
Everyone's taking everything they can
Everything they can
Woooohh
Do you believe
In what you feel
It doesn't seem to be anybody else who agrees with me
It doesn't seem to be anybody else who agrees with me
Do you believe
In what you see
Motionless wheel
Nothing is real
Wasting my time
In the waiting line
Do you believe
In what you see
Ah and I'll shout and I'll scream
But I'd rather not have seen
And I'll hide away for another day
Do you believe
In what you see
Motionless wheel
Nothing is real
Wasting my time
In the waiting line
Do you believe
In what you see
Everyone's saying different things to me
Different things to me
Different things to me
Different things to me
Different things to me
Everyone's taking everything they can
Everything they can
So, before I dive in to this thing, I am wondering what you think: are the Creed's still essential and foundational to the Christian faith? I'd love to hear some of your thoughts on the value of the Creed's for spiritual formation and the importance or non-importance of teaching these ancient documents to new Christians and emerging generations.
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I believe the creeds are important. They even help children speak what is so hard to frame without them. I realize many Christians are opposed to creeds, and I don't think that there will be a test on any of them in the afterlife, but they are a way of connecting to the timeline of the church.
ReplyDeleteRemember, the Apostle's Creed is older than the language we speak it in. What a wonderful way to connect to the saints before us.
Hi Sean. Great blog. I think the series on the Apostles Creed will be exciting and very informative. I had always envisioned a talk by taking each line and dissect and explore it
ReplyDeleteExample;
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
This line is so rich and full of so many wonderful things.
It affirms our belief in God and why we believe. It says who God is and how powerful he truely is.
Romans 1:18-20 which we are studying in disciple class this week talks about believing in God:
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they(mankind)are without excuse.
So I think taking each statement of the creed and expanding on it would really hit home and perhaps people would even think about the words when they recite it at church.
Hope this was not too long. Also anything you decide to do, I am sure it woudl be great, because I know you will let the Holy Spirit guide you.
RoDog