Creeds, Catechisms and Confessions: Landmarks of the Christian Faith

The importance of Catchecisms, Creeds and Confessions in the Christian Church lies in its rich historic background and the original intent of its inspired authors.  

Catchecisms, Creeds and Confessions often came about when precious doctrines of the Christian faith were under attack from both within and without, being an (inward) affirmation to the body of believers, a systematic articulation of timeless truths and bold declaration of the Church’s beliefs in the midst of their surrounding culture and the world at large.

These precious items were also used and developed as didactic systems to either summarize or exposit the fundamental teachings of the Holy Scriptures. Historic documents such as the Nicene Creed (325), Augsburg Confession (1530), London Baptist Confession (1689) and Heidelberg Catechism (1563), continue to herald the eternal precepts of the Christian faith. Though written centuries ago, through them we hear the voice of the triune God of the Scriptures and the affirmation of our forefathers of the faith, though they be dead.

Because of the attacks on the Church both within and without, we cannot afford to disregard or deconstruct the essential tenets of the Christian Faith thinking that they set us apart from those who abuse and wrongfully use them - neither should we abandon them for the sake of cultural relevance. Rather, we must understand that without them, we have no distinction in the world.

These tenets are best expounded by the historic Creeds, Confessions and Catechisms of the Church. Oh how sad it is when a church operates on a theologically shallow statements of faith! They leave the door wide open for all kinds of imaginable errors! That which is said or not said in a church's Statement of Faith may give great insight into what they believe about God.

The distinction and clarity expressed in these wonderful literary works assist in teaching believers about Church History and show the spiritual depth and integrity of its original composers and confessors. For the saints of old, doctrine was no light matter, for whatever one is taught (or not taught) helps form one’s beliefs and ultimately guides their actions. They were firmly convinced that God’s word was to be the foundation and center of the Christian life. Biblical scholars have even pointed towards a creed used by the Early Church as recorded in Scripture:

“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory”. – 1 Timothy 3:16

It is important, that the literary material that Christians use, (those that purport to be true to the Faith) must point them back to Scripture and not take on an autonomous authority of its own. When a book, church constitution or any other religious literature take on a form of autonomy by asserting inherent authority that is binding on Christians without (being substantiated by or) pointing back to the word of God - by default it attacks the authority and sufficiency of the Scriptures.

As Christians esteem and hold fast the Creeds, Confessions & Catechisms of the faith, they not only affirm the truth of the Scriptures but show our agreement with the saints of the past and the legacy of faith that has gone before us. Let us not forget our past, for they have helped shape our present faith.