For those interested in knowing what Christians
believe, here is where you learn more about the creeds, statements of faith and
confessions that have defined the Christian faith in times ancient and modern.
Apostle's Creed Developed between
the second and ninth centuries as an affirmation of faith for new Christians this
is the most widely accepted statement of faith used in worship by Western Christians.
Any discussion of what Christians believe should begin here.
The
Nicene Creed Written during the 4th century A.D. in an attempt to unify
the Christian church under emperor Constantine. Second only in familiarity to
the Apostle's Creed, it is the only statement of faith that is accepted by all
three major branches of Christianity including Protestant, Roman Catholic and
Eastern Orthodox.
Confession of 1967 Written
during the troubled 1960's, this was a bold attempt to bring the Christian faith
into conversation with the concerns of that period. Edward A. Dowey, Jr. then
teaching at Princeton Seminary, headed the committee which composed it.
A
Brief Statement of Faith -- Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) After the two
largest streams of Presbyterianism in the United States reunited to form the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) in 1983 a committee was appointed to draft a brief summary of
the Christian faith. Their draft was adopted in 1991. Short and concise, it is
suitable for use in public worship.
The
Theological Declaration of Barmen Written by Karl Barth and the confessing
church in Nazi Germany in response to Hitler's attempt to politicize and control
the church. Many of those involved in writing and promoting this document were
killed along with six million Jews.
Scots
Confession Written by John Knox and colleagues at the conclusion of the
Scottish civil war in response to medieval catholicism and at the behest of the
Scottish Parliament. The Scots Confession is considered as one of the charter
documents in Presbyterian history and tradition.
The
Augsburg Confession This is the first of the great Protestant Confessions.
Most Lutheran church bodies base their teachings upon this document.
Church
of England The Anglicans have a very attractive website, but you have
to explore rather deeply within it to find out what "Cof E" members believe.
ELCA
Confession of Faith This confession appears in the Constitution of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The
Heidelberg Catechism Written by Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus
in Germany at the time of the breaking of the peace of Augsburg in response to
the Lutherans and at the direction of Frederick the Elector. It is one of the
principal documents of the Reformed tradition.
The
Westminster Confession of Faith Written by the Westminster Assembly at
the call of Parliament. It was written in the context of the English Civil War
and as a response to high church Anglicanism.
Luther's
95 Theses One of the most important documents in western history, this
is the defining statement of Martin Luther's dispute with the Roman Catholic practice
of selling indulgences. What came to be known as the Protestant Reformation got
underway big time starting right here.
Charles Henderson
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The Rev. Charles P. Henderson is a Presbyterian minister and is the author of God and Science (John Knox Press, 1986).
A revised and expanded version of the book is appearing here. God and Science (Hypertext Edition,
2015).
He is also editor of a new book, featuring articles by world class scientists and theologians, and illustrating the leading views on the relationship between science and religion: Faith, Science and the Future (CrossCurrents Press, 2017).
Charles also tracks the boundry between the virtual and the real at his blog: Next World Design, focusing on the mediation of art, science and spirituality in the metaverse.