The Creedal Imperative
Overview
What if “No creed but the Bible” is unbiblical? The role of confessions and creeds is the subject of debate within evangelicalism today as many resonate with the call to return to Christianity’s ancient roots. Advocating for a balanced perspective, Carl Trueman offers an analysis of why creeds and confessions are necessary, how they have developed over time, and how they can function in the church of today and tomorrow.
- Discusses the role of creeds and confessioins in modern Christianity
- Examines the history and necessity of creeds and confessions and their role in the church
- Features an appendix on revising and supplementing confessions, and list of resources for further reading
- The Cultural Case against Creeds and Confessions
- The Foundations of Creedalism
- The Early Church
- Classical Protestant Confessions
- Confession as Praise
- On the Usefulness of Creeds and Confessions
Top Highlights
“The astute reader should now be able to see the case I want to make in this book: I want to argue that creeds and confessions are thoroughly consistent with the belief that Scripture alone is the unique source of revelation and authority. Indeed, I want to go somewhat further: I want to argue that creeds and confessions are, in fact, necessary for the well-being of the church, and that churches that claim not to have them place themselves at a permanent disadvantage when it comes to holding fast to that form of sound words which was so precious to the aging Paul as he advised his young protégé, Timothy.” (Page 19)
“1. The past is important, and has things of positive relevance to teach us.” (Page 22)
“The burden that motivates my writing of this book is my belief that creeds and confessions are vital to the present and future well-being of the church. Such a statement may well jar with evangelical ears that are used to the notion that Scripture alone is to be considered the sole, supreme authority for Christian faith and practice. Does my claim not strike at the very heart of the notion of Scripture alone?” (Page 12)
“Thus, ‘Scripture alone,’ whatever else it means, cannot mean Scripture approached in a vacuum.” (Page 16)
“I did note that all Christians engage in confessional synthesis; the difference is simply whether one adheres to a public confession, subject to public scrutiny, or to a private confession that is, by its very nature, immune to such examination.” (Page 21)
It is commonplace among many church leaders to dispute the need for confessions of faith on the grounds of the supreme authority of the Bible. In this timely book, Trueman demonstrates effectively how such claims are untenable. We all have creeds—the Bible itself requires them—but some are unwritten, not open to public accountability, and the consequences can be damaging. Trueman’s case deserves the widest possible hearing.
—Robert Letham, director of research and senior lecturer in systematic and historical theology, Wales Evangelical School of Theology
Herein is a truly inspiring vision, that churches be freed from the vapid, the fickle, and the dysfunctional by a deeper enjoyment of the faith we have received. Trueman has shown that use of the creeds is both necessary and beautifully enriching. Informative and compelling, this book has what it takes to do great good.
—Michael Reeves, Director of Union and Senior Lecturer, Wales Evangelical School of Theology; author, Delighting in the Trinity, The Unquenchable Flame, and Rejoicing in Christ
- Title: The Creedal Imperative
- Author: Carl R. Trueman
- Publisher: Crossway
- Print Publication Date: 2012
- Logos Release Date: 2017
- Pages: 208
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Creeds
- ISBNs: 9781433521904, 9781433521935, 1433521903, 1433521938
- Resource ID: LLS:CRDLMPRTV
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T22:59:28Z