THEO (THE CREED) Flashcards
Creed as a;
belief, symbol, pledge, kaleidoscope
Creed as a belief
Credo or I believe
Creed as a symbol
originally a physical object intended as a material indication of identification or agreement
Creed as a pledge
Normative language of faith that unifies all believers
a sign of recognition and communion between believers
a key or a seal
- fact to acknowledge abt the apostles and nicene creed
the creed have no direct historical or explicit scriptural reference
- fact acknowledge
both creeds confirm and upholds the new testament teachings in continuity with the apostolic teachings
- fact acknowledge
the apostles creed is an ecumenical creed
ANCIENT CREEDS
APOSTLES’ CREED
ECUMENICAL NICEO-CONSTANTINOPOLITAN CREED
ATHANASIAN CREED
It captures the core conviction
of the Catholic Christian Faith:
Mystery of the Holy Trinity in 3
Divine Actions that reveal the
Real Identity of God.
TRINITARIAN
The Articles of the Creed: Imaginary Divisions
Latin, “articulus” (“joint”):
connector, bonding
“articulates the particular
contents of Christian
belief while expressing
how each article forms
an organic unity and
whole”
Beware of “too much emphasis
on divisions and numbering.”
Henri de Lubac, SJ
PRINCIPLES FOR PROPER INTERPRETATION
AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE MEANING OF THE CHRISTIAN CREED
- The Creed is
simple, direct but
dense and
mysterious - The Catholic Faith’s
Creed must be
understood and
interpreted in the light
and context of the
Sacred Tradition, the
Sacred Scripture and
the Magisterium.
Creed as “Profession
of Faith”
Interrogatory Form:
gesture of
proposal and
acceptance.
Declaratory Form:
result of development of
catechesis as narrative
story for public
declaration
Creed as “Narrative History
of God’s Salvation”
Retelling of story of God’s
involvement, presence and
relationship with Israelites
in the events of
Israel’s
history
Creed as Christian Story:
Summary of God’s
actions in creation, in
Jesus of Nazareth’s
redemption,
and Holy
Spirit in the
people, the
church.
Creed as “Doxology or
Celebratory Prayer” –Song
of Praise and Testimony
Chant / Hymn of Praise
Witness of Faith or
Testimony
Creed is Point of Unity and
Uniformity of the
believing community or the church:
a protection against the
threat of confusion and
divergent or conflicting
interpretation and
narratives
Creed as Measure and
Reference-Point for
“Christian Orthodoxy”:
A Rule of Faith
Creed as Theological Statements
& Summary Statement or
Declaration of Principal Truths of
the Faith, which serve as point of
reference for catechesis:
Mission and Vocation (Purpose and
Meaning) Values and Commitment
(Action, Choices and Decision-Making,
Judgments) Way of Living and
Relating (Life)
PRACTICAL VALUE OF A HAVING A
CREED
Provides a sense of clarity
and understanding of beliefs
Provides a sense of a common
starting-point (Principle-Rule)
Provides a sense of shared
identity – claimed identity or
avowal and “remember who you
are.”
Provides a sense of guidance
and growth in Faith and Moral
Life
