It Started as Mine, But…

I originally wrote the following essay while studying to prepare for a Bible class on the Nicene Creed. One way I put together Bible studies is by writing essays on the topic. After writing it, I decided to “check” the essay’s grammar and structure by putting it through Grammarly and AI chatbots to “correct” any errors. After all that checking, this is the “essay.” While it reads nicely, anyone who knows my writing style will immediately say that it lacks “my voice.” I posted this as an example of what happens when we overrely on grammar and AI chatbot tools. My original essay was 375 words; this one is well over 600.

The Nicene Creed is the shortest and most explicit statement of the faith shared by Christians in all denominations. For close to 1700 years, the Creed has been the indispensable touchstone of orthodoxy and proper anchor for the Church, the world over. The Nicene Creed is the precious heritage of all Christians everywhere. It is not a dry historical relic, but a living text still recited in worship services across Christianity today. Its greatness lies in the fact that it unites us, identifies us as orthodox, as part of the ancient catholic faith, and gathers into one poetic proclamation the work of our salvation. The Nicene Creed is a binding statement of faith. This Creed, the profession of our belief, helps us understand that what we believe, we confess with one voice, united in truth. While it unites us in core beliefs, it is worth noting that variations such as the Filioque clause and differences in baptismal practices reflect the diversity among Christian traditions. These nuances serve to enrich the Creed's role as a tool for unity, highlighting our shared faith while honoring the distinct expressions within the broader Christian community.

The Nicene Creed emerged during a time of religious and doctrinal confusion and persecution in the 4th century. Arianism was the most serious challenge to the Christian Church’s doctrine of Christ's full deity. At that time, some people thought of the Son as a secondary being and, while believing he was divinely begotten, not divine by nature. Between 318 and 381 AD, significant debates unfolded within the Church regarding the true nature of Christ. Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman Emperor, summoned the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD to stem the tide of heresy in the Church. The original form of the Creed, and the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed later affirmed by the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD, were blunt, unequivocal responses to the questions posed by the Arian heresy. It was short, powerful, uncompromising in its orthodoxy, and summed up the central tenets of Christian doctrine.

First, the Nicene Creed provides the most precise and succinct explanation of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the same God. The Creed tells us Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, is God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one substance (homoousios) with the Father. That word, homoousios, preserves the truth that Christ is entirely God, of the same essence as the Father, which is why the Nicene Creed is the standard of Christology. The Creed also gives due honor to the Holy Spirit, affirms the Spirit as our Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and who, with the Father and the Son, is to be adored and glorified. Furthermore, the Nicene Creed is the best ecumenical tool, as used by Catholics, Orthodox, and most Protestant traditions. As we make this profession of faith, we are in union with the whole Church of Christ in time and place. As we say these familiar words in our church services, we are in communion with others worshiping in different parts of the globe at that moment. We are also united with the great cloud of witnesses, the countless faithful Christians since the time of the Early Church Fathers, all saying and hearing those exact words of faith.

Finally, the structure of the Nicene Creed follows the storyline of Scripture. It begins with the transcendent and almighty Creator God, passes through the Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ our Lord, and ends with the Holy Spirit, the Church, baptism, the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. It shapes a dispersed set of convictions into a clear, orderly confession. The Nicene Creed not only tells us who we are and what we believe but also serves as an inspiring reminder of the story we live in and the hope we look forward to.

As you reflect on the Creed, where do you find yourself within this scriptural arc? Consider the moments of Christ’s life and the Church's narrative, and identify where you currently stand in this spiritual journey. Engaging with the Creed personally can elevate this doctrinal summary into a profound spiritual invitation, inviting you into a deeper understanding and connection with the faith. Therefore, the Nicene Creed is not just history but the living and undying, authentic faith.