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What Would Jesus Believe?
Above is an illumination of the Nicene Creed in the language God dictated it to those bickering bishops at Nicea. This issue wonders if Jesus, even if he could read Latin, could or would say it with a straight face. All three of our contributors doubt it. Glynn Cardy in Crosshairs considers it an old wineskin incapable of holding new wine. Too holey? In ENZed LeNZ, I call on the Church to repent for having gone down the road of having a creed in the first place. Second Thoughts features a new contributor we hope will become a regular, Nissa Basbaum, from a church Ontario, Canada. She brings her unique background as a convert from Judaism to suggest Jesus was more interested in how we act rather than in what we believe.
We hope these thoughts and the rest of SMACA’s regular features engage and challenge you. Please let us know what you think. Your comments are the fuel that keeps us going.
Blessings to all,
Clay Nelson
Editor
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In the matter of religion, people eagerly fasten their eyes on the difference between their own creed and yours; whilst the charm of the study is in finding the agreements and identities in all the religions of humanity”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
The inherent danger in creed over faith is that creed is passive. Faith is active and leads to discipleship. Creed simply requires recitation.
Will Campbell
[Y]ou're supposed to be nice to the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians and the Methodists . . . Nonsense. I don't have to be nice to the spirit of the Antichrist. I can love the people who hold false opinions but I don't have to be nice to them.
Pat Roberston
The pope said that he doesn't believe in the theory of evolution. I agree, the Church has not evolved.
Andrea Rivera
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I believe in the Holy,
lifting, sustaining,
among us, within us,
around us.
I believe in Living,
with a song to sing,
in awe, in adoration,
out of joy, out of praise.
I believe in Loving,
in intimate communion,
of gentle compassssion,
and the giving of roses.
I believe in Seeking,
daring to explore,
doubting without fear,
cautious in certainties.
I believe in Prophecy,
the spirit of outrage,
clapping like thunder,
healing the world.
-David O. Rankin
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| The Holey Creed
Glynn Cardy
The Nicene Creed has passed its use-by date. Too frequently it appears in Christian worship, a legacy of the past that is meant to be relevant to the present. It sends out a message that unless you can join in a chorus of assent then you aren’t a Christian » » »
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| A Credible Credo
Clay Nelson
Some think the church never changes--light bulbs or anything else. But 32 years ago the Episcopal Church proposed a new prayer book. In it the Nicene Creed was updated. Not only was Elizabethan elegance dropped in favour of modern usage and comprehension (i » » »
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| Everyone is listening to iGod |
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| Running the Risk of Faith Not Belief
Nissa Basbaum
Scepticism and struggling with theological beliefs has been an age-old pastime for me. A story from my curacy describes this best.
Along with me, there were three other priests employed at St » » »
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CANA 1, Diocese of Virginia 0
http://www.christianitytoday.com/c
A Virginia judge Thursday upheld key arguments of 11 Anglican churches seeking to keep their property and assets after leaving the Episcopal Church and its Virginia Diocese. The Anglican District of Virginia (ADV), a coalition comprised of defendants in the case, called the ruling an "initial victory" in one of the biggest church property battles in recent history. |
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There Is Hope
http://www.christianethicstoday.co
A delightful address by author Will Campbell (Brother to a Dragonfly), tells a wonderful story of his experience of going through airport security that speaks to the problem with creedalism.
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