Credo

“I believe…” How do you finish this sentence? Some people throw around the word “believe” as if it were like the Nike tagline, “Just Do It.” Just believe. Many say, “Believe in yourself.” Charles M. Schulz once said, “It doesn’t matter what you believe just so long as you’re sincere.” I hope that was a joke. You might recite a creed, the Apostles’ or Nicene.

Creed

The name “creed” is from the Latin word “credo,” which means “I believe.” “Credo” is related to words for “heart”: the Greek word “kardia” and the Latin word “cor,” which are from the Sanskrit word “kerd.” “Belief” is also about the heart, coming from the old German for “to hold dear or love.” What is in your heart? In the Western tradition “heart” is relegated to emotions and the head is more important.

In the Eastern and Biblical setting “heart” is the center of one’s being that produces one’s emotions, thoughts and desires. What is most important to you? Maybe I should ask, “Who is most important to you?” The heart is relational.

Heart/Head Problems

Western culture and the Western church have heart problems. We prioritize head over heart. I hear this in how we argue and disagree. We say that we do not care how someone feels, only what they think. We play “love” off against “truth.” We discount Biblical calls to unity in the name of “truth.”

We have accepted a limited modern Western view of “truth” as only “fact.” The post-modern Western world accepted Pilate’s mocking question “What is truth?” (Jn. 18:38). In response the church tried to present and argue evidence. This has value, but it is not the essence of “truth.”

The Biblical view of “truth” is relational. In the Hebrew Bible “truth” is “emet,” from which we get the word “amen.” This is faithfulness, trustworthiness, trust, and the old English marriage vow word “troth.” The Gospel of John’s presentation of Jesus as the Truth highlights this relational nature. Jesus is how God has revealed himself to us and relates to us. “Grace and truth” are not in opposition. They are two words expressing God’s covenantaly-faithful relationship to us.

Belief Statements

In retirement I have been looking for a church to attend. I visit, meet people and look at how the church presents itself. I look at their statements of belief. One church started with “we believe in truth, absolute truth.” I avoided that one! Many churches, including two of which I have been a member, lead with, “We believe the Bible is the authoritative Word of God.” I understand the point, but is the Bible the foundation of our trust? That isn’t what our creeds say. Other churches begin with statements of community (mission), personal relationship with Jesus (pietist), or short salvation histories (doctrinal). A few add in moral position statements. Maybe check your own church’s statement to see how it aligns.

Credo

Throughout history the church has professed creeds. Creeds are about the nature and work of the Triune God. This is where we start. This is our way in the wilderness. Our past foundation (grace and love), present trust (faith and truth) and future hope are in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In love, we are united in this creed. So I believe.