Friday, February 25, 2005
The Nicene Creed
So we're to learn the Nicene Creed. Below are some of the proposed changes to the current creed, which I posted about before. I also notice that the changes bring the Roman Catholic Creed a bit closer in wording to the Orthodox wording. Interesting.
I must say, I prefer "seen and unseen" to "visible and unvisible" -- the first puts the burden on us: God made things and if we can't see them, tough luck; the second (visible and invisible) puts the onus on God: God made things invisible -- ah, so why even bother to look if we already know we can't see.
Update: Alicia, over at Fructus Ventris, provides some of the history and meaning of the Nicene Creed I lack. (Thanks, Alicia!)
| Profession of Faith: | The Profession of Faith (The Creed): |
| We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. | I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God, born of the Father before time began. God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father: through whom all things were made. Who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. Crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life: who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic Church, I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and I await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. |
Update: Alicia, over at Fructus Ventris, provides some of the history and meaning of the Nicene Creed I lack. (Thanks, Alicia!)
