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Development of Creeds

Development of Creeds. From Experience to Formula “I believe”. THE CREEDS 185 Whoever says "I believe" says "I pledge myself to what  we  believe." Communion in faith needs a common language of faith, normative for all and uniting all in the same confession of faith.

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Development of Creeds

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  1. Development of Creeds From Experience to Formula “I believe”

  2. THE CREEDS • 185 Whoever says "I believe" says "I pledge myself to what we believe." Communion in faith needs a common language of faith, normative for all and uniting all in the same confession of faith. • 186 From the beginning, the apostolic Church expressed and handed on her faith in brief formula normative for all.1 But already very early on, the Church also wanted to gather the essential elements of her faith into organic and articulated summaries, intended especially for candidates for Baptism: • This synthesis of faith was not made to accord with human opinions, but rather what was of the greatest importance was gathered from all the Scriptures, to present the one teaching of the faith in its entirety. And just as the mustard seed contains a great number of branches in a tiny grain, so too this summary of faith encompassed in a few words the whole knowledge of the true religion contained in the Old and the New Testaments.2187 Such syntheses are called "professions of faith" since they summarize the faith that Christians profess. They are called "creeds" on account of what is usually their first word in Latin: credo ("I believe"). They are also called "symbols of faith". • 188 The Greek word symbolonmeant half of a broken object, for example, a seal presented as a token of recognition. The broken parts were placed together to verify the bearer's identity. The symbol of faith, then, is a sign of recognition and communion between believers. Symbolonalso means a gathering, collection or summary. A symbol of faith is a summary of the principal truths of the faith and therefore serves as the first and fundamental point of reference for catechesis.

  3. Creeds • Who can say the Apostles Creed or Nicene Creed by themselves? • 5 BONUS POINTS if you can do it correctly • One purpose of creed is unity • Summarizes key teachings of faith • Keep each other on right path • Also need to work on our personal Faith • What do you believe? • CCC185 Whoever says "I believe" says "I pledge myself to what we believe."

  4. Spiritual or religious? • Are you spiritual, religious, both, or neither? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY • How would you respond? • What do you agree with? Disagree with? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwetTNAGC44 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru_tC4fv6FE

  5. Spiritual AND Religious! • Analogy of sports in relation to spirituality and religion • Faith AND Beliefs, Spirituality AND Religion are necessary to live a Christian life. • Spiritual not religious sets up religion of me. Spiritual and religious challenges us to grow.

  6. Spiritual AND Religious • Religions necessary to pass on faith/religious experience/spirituality • Religions have tested wisdom, proven tradition, & companions on the journey • Spirituality w/o institution prone to extremism • Help people deal with reality through creed (beliefs), code (rules), cult (actions).

  7. Functions of the Creed • Creed (Apostolic and Nicene): • Puts experience of faith into words • Gives basic teachings - baptism • Helps to unify the community • Clarifies what is authentic to the Gospel • Narrates salvation history • Praises God as transcendent and immanent

  8. Putting the Creed together • Ecumenical Council – gathering of the worldwide Church to discuss matters of Church teaching. • Heresy – erroneous teaching about matters of faith. • Christological Councils – 4th -7th • Discussed questions such as: Is Jesus God? Is Jesus human? Is the Holy Spirit God? Is Mary the “Mother of God?”

  9. Importance of authentic teachings about Jesus • Unity of belief creates unity in the Church, which Jesus wanted (see John’s Gospel) • False teachings undermine basis of Christianity, such as the trinity and incarnation • If the Son or Sprit are not God, then God cannot be love. • If Jesus is not both human and divine, he could not raise up humanity to salvation.

  10. “I Believe” Video • Based on your reflections in class last week on the creed, make a video that professes your beliefs. • Groups of 3-4. • Make it real – honest. • Use the rhyming style of the videos we watched. • Include a teacher, parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle in the video • Due Monday, November 4th to be share in class.

  11. Foundation of the Creed • Experience to Proclamation • Based on the Apostles experience of the Life, Suffering, Death, Resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. • They were witnesses to these events • They were given a mission (Apostle) to spread the good news.

  12. Functions of the Creed • The apostles proclaimed their faith in Jesus through teaching basic beliefs • Kerygma – basic proclamation that teaches about Jesus • “Jesus is Lord” 1 Cor 12:30 • “Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day” 1 Cor 15:3-4.

  13. Functions of the Creed • Baptismal profession of faith • Interrogatory form – “Do you believe…” with the response, “I Believe.” • Short statements of basic Christian beliefs

  14. Functions of the Creed • Symbol of the community’s faith. • Used in catechizing (teaching) new members. • Bishop explained the creed to new members and new members memorized it. • Symbol of identity for Christians

  15. Functions of the Creed • Creeds were narratives of Salvation History • Retell story of God’s action of creation, salvation through Christ, and continued action in the world through the Holy Spirit. • Gives the basis of Christian faith by retelling the story.

  16. Functions of the Creed • Creeds functioned as hymn of praise for God’s saving actions. • Doxology (chant of praise), which reminds us at once of God’s transcendent nature as creator and God entering intimately into the lives of humans through the saving events of Christ.

  17. Functions of the Creed • Creeds became tests of orthodoxy. • Ensures that the tradition is accurately handed on. • Ensures unity of church and authenticity of Gospel message. • Expanded in order to answer questions that arise about beliefs. • Who is Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit?

  18. Homework • Read article 40 (pg. 153-155) • List the titles of the Pope and explain them in your notebook.

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