Understanding Creeds and the Nature of Faith

 

Summary

In this session, we explored the historical and theological significance of creeds, particularly the Apostles' Creed, and the nature of faith in Christianity. The term 'creed' originates from the Latin 'credo,' meaning 'I believe.' Creeds have been a part of Christian tradition since the early church, serving as catechetical and baptismal formulas. They emerged as a response to challenges like Gnosticism, which threatened the early church's doctrinal integrity. The Apostles' Creed, though not directly penned by the apostles, is rooted in apostolic teaching and tradition, evolving over centuries to its current form.

Faith, a cornerstone of Christianity, is often misunderstood as being opposed to reason and sense perception. However, biblical faith is not irrational or anti-scientific. It rests on the foundation of reason and sense perception, extending beyond their limits. Faith involves believing in things not seen, based on the revelation of God, who has spoken through history and scripture. This understanding challenges the notion of blind faith or a leap into irrationality, emphasizing instead a reasoned trust in God's revelation.

The Protestant Reformation brought significant focus to the concept of faith, particularly in the context of justification by faith alone. The Reformers identified three elements of biblical faith: 'notae' (the data or content of faith), 'assensus' (intellectual assent), and 'fiducia' (personal trust and commitment). True faith involves more than intellectual agreement; it requires a heartfelt embrace of Christ and His teachings.

As we delve into the Apostles' Creed in future sessions, we will explore the core tenets of Christian faith that transcend denominational boundaries, reflecting the essence of classical mainstream Christianity.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Historical Role of Creeds: Creeds have been integral to Christianity since its inception, serving as foundational statements of belief. They emerged to address doctrinal challenges and preserve the integrity of the faith, with the Apostles' Creed being a prime example of this historical development. [03:36]

2. Faith and Reason: Contrary to popular belief, faith in Christianity is not opposed to reason or sense perception. Instead, it builds upon them, extending beyond their limits to embrace the unseen realities revealed by God. This understanding challenges the notion of blind faith, advocating for a reasoned trust in divine revelation. [11:42]

3. Revelation as a Basis for Faith: Christianity is a revealed religion, where God has spoken through history and scripture. Faith involves believing in God's revelation, even when it pertains to unseen realities, emphasizing a trust in God's truthfulness and the historical evidence of His actions. [19:14]

4. The Elements of Biblical Faith: The Reformers identified three elements of faith: content (notae), intellectual assent (assensus), and personal trust (fiducia). True faith requires more than intellectual agreement; it involves a heartfelt commitment to Christ and His teachings. [23:08]

5. Faith Beyond Intellectual Assent: While faith involves knowledge and intellectual assent, it is not limited to these. It requires a personal embrace of Christ, transforming belief into a living, active trust that shapes one's life and actions. [26:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:28] - The Origin of Creeds
- [00:54] - Early Christian Affirmations
- [01:33] - Catechetical Questions
- [02:29] - Creeds and Church Challenges
- [03:02] - The Roman Symbol
- [03:36] - Development of the Apostles' Creed
- [04:14] - Understanding Faith
- [05:21] - Faith vs. Reason and Perception
- [06:37] - The Science of Epistemology
- [07:23] - Rationalism and Empiricism
- [10:04] - The Scientific Method
- [11:02] - Faith and Reason in Dialogue
- [12:35] - Faith Beyond Reason
- [15:06] - Misconceptions of Blind Faith
- [19:14] - Revelation and Faith
- [22:43] - Reformation Insights on Faith
- [23:08] - Elements of Biblical Faith
- [26:03] - Faith Beyond Intellectual Assent

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
2. Romans 10:17 - "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
3. James 2:19 - "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder."

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Observation Questions:

1. What historical challenges did the early church face that led to the development of creeds like the Apostles' Creed? [02:29]

2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between faith and reason? [11:42]

3. What are the three elements of biblical faith identified by the Reformers, and how do they differ from each other? [23:08]

4. According to the sermon, what role does revelation play in the Christian understanding of faith? [19:14]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of faith as described in Hebrews 11:1 challenge the notion of faith being opposed to reason and sense perception? [16:28]

2. In what ways does Romans 10:17 suggest that faith is connected to understanding and knowledge?

3. How does the sermon’s explanation of the Apostles' Creed reflect the idea of faith being more than just intellectual assent? [26:03]

4. What does James 2:19 imply about the nature of true faith, and how does this relate to the sermon’s discussion on the elements of biblical faith? [25:13]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt your faith was challenged by reason or sense perception. How did you reconcile the two, and what did you learn from that experience? [11:42]

2. The sermon emphasizes a reasoned trust in God's revelation. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of God's word to strengthen your faith? [19:14]

3. Consider the three elements of faith: notae, assensus, and fiducia. Which element do you find most challenging, and what steps can you take to grow in that area? [23:08]

4. How can you apply the understanding that faith is not blind but based on the evidence of things not seen in your daily life? [16:28]

5. The sermon discusses the importance of personal trust and commitment in faith. Identify one area in your life where you can demonstrate a more heartfelt embrace of Christ and His teachings. [25:38]

6. How can the historical role of creeds, as discussed in the sermon, inspire you to articulate and live out your faith more clearly in your community? [03:36]

7. Reflect on the idea that faith involves believing in things not seen. How does this influence your perspective on unseen realities in your spiritual journey? [17:51]

Devotional

Day 1: The Enduring Role of Creeds in Christianity
Creeds have been a vital part of Christianity since its early days, serving as foundational statements of belief. They were developed to address doctrinal challenges and preserve the integrity of the faith. The Apostles' Creed, in particular, is a prime example of this historical development. Although not directly written by the apostles, it is deeply rooted in apostolic teaching and tradition, evolving over centuries to its current form. Creeds like the Apostles' Creed emerged as a response to challenges such as Gnosticism, which threatened the early church's doctrinal integrity. By affirming core Christian beliefs, creeds have helped maintain unity and clarity within the faith. [03:36]

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the truths of the Apostles' Creed into your daily prayer life to strengthen your faith and understanding of Christian doctrine?


Day 2: Faith and Reason: Partners in Belief
Contrary to popular belief, faith in Christianity is not opposed to reason or sense perception. Instead, it builds upon them, extending beyond their limits to embrace the unseen realities revealed by God. This understanding challenges the notion of blind faith, advocating for a reasoned trust in divine revelation. Faith involves believing in things not seen, based on the revelation of God, who has spoken through history and scripture. This perspective encourages believers to see faith as a reasoned trust in God's truthfulness and the historical evidence of His actions. [11:42]

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you engage your mind and reason to deepen your faith in God today, especially in areas where you struggle to see His hand at work?


Day 3: Revelation as the Foundation of Faith
Christianity is a revealed religion, where God has spoken through history and scripture. Faith involves believing in God's revelation, even when it pertains to unseen realities, emphasizing a trust in God's truthfulness and the historical evidence of His actions. This understanding of faith challenges the notion of blind faith or a leap into irrationality, emphasizing instead a reasoned trust in God's revelation. By grounding faith in divine revelation, believers are encouraged to trust in the truthfulness of God's word and His actions throughout history. [19:14]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively seek to understand and trust in God's revelation through scripture in your daily life, especially when faced with uncertainty or doubt?


Day 4: The Three Elements of Biblical Faith
The Reformers identified three elements of biblical faith: content (notae), intellectual assent (assensus), and personal trust (fiducia). True faith requires more than intellectual agreement; it involves a heartfelt commitment to Christ and His teachings. This understanding of faith emphasizes the importance of not only knowing and agreeing with Christian doctrine but also personally trusting in and committing to Christ. By embracing these three elements, believers can cultivate a faith that is both intellectually robust and deeply personal. [23:08]

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." (Hebrews 11:6, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your own faith journey. Which of the three elements of faith—content, intellectual assent, or personal trust—do you feel needs more attention in your life, and how can you nurture it?


Day 5: Faith Beyond Intellectual Assent
While faith involves knowledge and intellectual assent, it is not limited to these. It requires a personal embrace of Christ, transforming belief into a living, active trust that shapes one's life and actions. This understanding of faith challenges believers to move beyond mere intellectual agreement and to cultivate a dynamic, personal relationship with Christ. By doing so, faith becomes a transformative force that influences every aspect of life, guiding decisions, actions, and relationships. [26:03]

"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (James 2:17, ESV)

Reflection: Consider one area of your life where your faith has not yet translated into action. What steps can you take today to align your actions with your beliefs, allowing your faith to become a living testimony?

Quotes

The word 'creed' itself comes from the Latin verb 'credo', which means what? We have some pastors here that I know -- it means I believe. And the idea for a creed which many people find somewhat distasteful in the twentieth century because there've been so many controversies and so much hostility generated over church creeds and confessional statements, and so many people say will say, well why do we even need any creeds at all. [00:00:13]

Because as history would indicate the earliest Christian creed traced back to the New Testament itself, was very simple. It was the simple affirmation Jesus is LORD. The 'Jesus ho kurios,' 'Jesus is LORD.' And then as we try to put the pieces of history together, because not all the documents from antiquity have survived, and some of this is conjecture and scholarly opinion. [00:00:52]

But the general consensus is that the idea of creeds emerged rather gradually, beginning, very early in the New Testament time period in the early church with a catechetical questions and formulas. Somebody wanted to join the church. And before they were accepted for baptism or for membership in the church, certain questions were posed to them. Do you believe that Jesus is Lord? [00:01:23]

And so the creedal statements were really either baptism or catechetical formulae given to people who wanted to join the early Christian community. And then as time passed the church began to make positive creeds rather than interrogative creeds -- that is, question and answer type formulations -- and usually those kinds of a solidifications of doctrinal confessions in creeds are provoked by some problem that the church engages. [00:01:52]

Well, also, church historians tell us that this Gnostic movement which threatened to undermine the Christian community in the second century provoked the church to establish what they called the churches symbol. Not symbol in the sense that we use the term symbol as a sign or pointer to something beyond itself. But rather it was that which incorporated the essence of the churches faith. [00:02:39]

And so at first we had what was called the Roman symbol. Which contained for the most part the basic outlined that is now found in the Apostles' Creed, and then as the years passed certain other tiny points were added to the Roman symbol which wasn't really finalized until somewhere around the year 400. But the Roman symbol was in use certainly in the second century and maybe even at the end of the first century. [00:03:15]

Faith of course is so vital to Christianity that sometimes Christianity isn't even called a religion but it's called what, the Christian faith. And the word faith is sometimes used as a verb, that is, it's when I refer to my faith in something or I believe, that belief is something that I do that I'm involved with, but also sometimes its used as a noun to refer to the content of Christianity. [00:04:50]

So often faith is seen in antithesis toward or opposition with, on the one hand 'reason.' And on the other hand what I'm going to call here 'sense perception.' Now, I realize that this term is somewhat philosophical and you could even put here science or you could put here empiricism, if you will. So, that here faith is set in opposition to other ways in which we learn things, ways in which we know what we know. [00:06:00]

Now, the question we have is how does faith fit into this? I read in a novel not too long ago where the novelist was narrating a dialog that was taking place between a priest and a scientist. And the novelist makes the editorial comment at the end, the priest expressed his faith, the scientist expressed his reason. And here we saw a clear example of faith being set in poor opposition to reason. [00:10:37]

And people say, you know, that we walk by faith and not by sight. Does that mean that faith repudiates sight? No, but do we ever walk in areas where we don't see where we're going. Does God ever call us to commit ourselves to things that no one has seen? Does God ever call us to believe in things that none of us have ever seen? Has anybody in this room ever seen God in the sense of a visible experience of God Himself? [00:17:10]

Christianity, whatever else it is, is a revealed religion. That God not only reveals Himself through nature, but as Francis Schaeffer has said, we don't just believe in a God who is there, but a God who is spoken. Now, when we talk about faith is the evidence of things not seen, what we're talking about here is believing God. Not just believing in God, but biblical faith is believing God. [00:19:00]

They say there're at least three distinguishable elements of biblical faith. And they set it fourth in Latin, and we'll do that here, the first is what's called the 'notae,' or what we would call in English simply 'the data.' When we say justification is by faith alone does that mean it doesn't matter what you believe just as long as you're sincere? Am I justified by, in the presence of God because I believe the moon is made out of green cheese? [00:23:11]

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Transcript
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