The Word and The World

I Believe in God…

“I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth…”

Sometimes it is difficult for us to realize the power and the meaning our words convey. A prime example is the first several words at the beginning of the Apostle’s Creed. So, it is fitting that we begin our study of the rule of faith with these words at its beginning.

To say we believe is very special. It implies that we have complete faith and trust in the object of our belief. That faith and trust is acceptance of the truth that is found in the object of our belief. In this creed, we identify the object of belief in the first sentence. We believe in God, not just a god, but God almighty who created the heavens and the earth.

We acknowledge as true and absolutely correct God’s work in creating the heavens and the earth. This does not mean an acceptance of creation from nothingness, although many Christians do believe this. Instead, what the creed acknowledges is that however, the world came in to being; evolution, big bang, or creationism, God was the ultimate instigator of creation, responsible for all that is, was, and will ever be.

This is the same God who identified himself to Moses as: “I AM.” This is the same God who led the people of Israel out of Egypt and promised Abraham descendants ‘more numerous than all the stars in the heavens.’

When we identify God as “Father,” this identification has very little to do with gender and more to do with Creation. With this statement we join ourselves to every Jew, Christian, and Muslim on the face of the planet. For we all believe in one God, who is above all other gods. This central belief is a part of what makes this creed an ecumenical creed.

Only Christianity accepts the doctrine of the Trinity. With this sentence we acknowledge both the oneness of God and the belief that God has been revealed to us in the person of the Almighty Father, Creator of all. This is the God that Moses, Jacob, Abraham and all of Israel were so familiar with. This is God who led the people out of Egypt to the Promised Land. And this is God whom Jesus called: “Abba.” This is the object of our belief and the first subject of the Rule of Faith, the Apostle’s Creed.

Almighty God, Creator of all that is, was, and will be, we come to you, believing in your love, your work and your wisdom. Help us this day to solidify our beliefs and our trust in you. This we ask in the name of Christ. Amen.

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The Rule of Faith

“I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the

Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was

crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose

again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right

hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the

quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion

of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life

everlasting. Amen.”

For centuries, the Apostle’s Creed has also been called; “The rule of faith.” What this means is that this creed, more so than any other, gives a good summation of what Christian faith is al about. The Apostle’s Creed has also formed the basis for many great theological treatises.

Contrary to some opinion, the Apostle’s Creed was not written by the apostles. It authorship is unknown but apparently evolved in the first and second century and reached the form we know now in the eighth century. Historically, it has been the creed most often used when bringing new members in to the Christian faith.

One way to think of this creed is that it reflects the missionary nature of the Christian church. We are all sent forth in faith as apostles (those sent out with a mission). Our calling is to make disciples for Jesus Christ and this is our statement of faith and our beliefs in their simplest form. Hence it is the “Apostle’s Creed” and the “Rule of faith.”

The Heidelburg Catechism divides this creed in to three major sections for further expansion: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In the next several posts, I too will divide the creed into sections. I hope to explore this ecumenical creed and give some expansion for the truths of Christian faith that it expounds and encourage you to think about what it is you profess when you recite this creed.

In essence, I’ll be doing what several others have done over the years, using the creed as a basis for some theological thought. My efforts may not be as concise or well thought out as those of Calvin or Barth, but they will attempt to reflect my understanding of Christian faith as it is expressed in this creed.

Merciful God, you gave us this creed as a means of expressing our faith in words that others understand. Guide my writings and bless those who read this that we may all wrestle with our understanding of life as your servants. This we ask in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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^{Just Slow Down}

^“29 He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. ³⁰ For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. ³¹ But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.” Isaiah 40:29-31 (MSG)

In the ‘60’s, there was a song by Simon and Garfunkel called “50^th Street Bridge Song.” Most people know this song by its chorus: “Slow down you’re moving too fast… Got to make the morning last…” I was reminded of this the other day as I was heading home from helping my youngest brother get some work done on his house.

I decided for whatever reason, to take the old highway instead of the Interstate for most of the trip back. I was amazed at the slice of Americana that the highway transported me through. The road was empty as compared to the snarl of the interstate. It was a refreshing trip down a highway I had last seen some 30 years earlier, before the interstate existed.

Too often, we rush to get from place to place and to get everything done that we must accomplish, we don’t take the time to slow down. I feel that Scripture encourages us to wait upon God, to practice patience and let things happen in God’s timing.

Now I know that in this day of instant gratification, waiting upon God is an unpopular thought. But, then again it has never been popular. Abraham and Sarah couldn’t wait for Sarah to give birth, so her maid, Hagar was sent in to fulfill the promise. But, it wasn’t God’s timing. God’s timing and the fulfillment of the promise only came with the birth of Isaac.

Throughout history, when people of faith have been content to wait upon the Lord, the outcome has been astounding. Right now, during my search for a new called position, my patience is often tried. My wife and others, keep wondering when I will next serve a church if that is what God wants, why don’t I abandon ministry and find some secular work?

My only recourse is the passage above from Isaiah. I must place my trust in God’s timing and wait upon the Lord, confident that my wait will be rewarded.

Loving God, there are times when waiting upon you seems contrary to all we need to do in life. Grant us the patience and the courage to wait upon your will and work in faith that we might rise up in service of your name. This we ask in the name Jesus Christ, our risen Savior. Amen.