From Heaven to Bethlehem: Nicene Creed part 2
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Let us begin our journey with the words of St Basil. He expounds on how there were many beliefs about the Trinity and the Church in the early centuries:
Now I accept no newer creed written for me by other men, nor do I venture to propound the outcome of my own intelligence, lest I make the words of true religion merely human words; but what I have been taught by the holy Fathers, that I announce to all who question me. In my Church, the creed written by the holy Fathers in synod at Nicæa is in use.
St. Basil. To the Church of Antioch, Epistle 140:2). Accessed 4-25-25. https://carm.org/quotes-by-topic/early-church-fathers-quotes-on-scripture-alone-is-final-authority/
Our Catholic catechism teaches us the foundation of our faith. This book is a virtual Encyclopedia of beliefs, rituals, and thoughtful responses to our many questions about our faith and our Lord. Since the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry, all humanity has sought to know the deeper truths about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ancient scholars and Saints sought diligently through prayer, study, and debate to understand and lay out these truths for us.
Our Catholic faith is professed through two creeds. The first was the Apostles’ Creed, which, “Is so-called because it is rightly considered to be a faithful summary of the Apostles’ faith. It is the ancient baptismal symbol of the Church of Rome” (USCCB, Catechism, Number 194. Accessed 7-4-2003).
In the Apostles’ Creed, the Trinity was declared, but the deeper truths took longer to be revealed. The very essence of Who Jesus is, as related to God the Father, was the source of much debate in the early Church.
In the first few centuries after Christ, Christians strove to find precise language to coherently express the truth that Jesus was truly God and truly man. (Senz, Nicholas, Catholic Digest online, “A Short History of the Nicene Creed,” Paragraph 2:1. Accessed 7-5-2023.)
Following many questions and disputes within the early Church, the Bishops of the entire world met first in Nicea in 325, and then in Constantinople in 381. The outcome of these two Church councils is a document called the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Credo, what we commonly called the Nicene creed. The major clarification in the Nicene Creed is the belief that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. This is why His full name is Jesus (human) Christ, (Anointed by God). To this day in the Catholic Church, the Nicene Creed is the foundation of faith for Catholics of the Eastern and Western Church, as well as other prominent Christian worshippers.
In this day and age of science, skepticism, and easy answers from Google, we all want proof of everything and instant answers. Simply put, faith is a matter of faith. We simply cannot have proof in black and white in front of us for our faith. The Catechism tells us further that documents and books alone cannot give us faith, because, “Faith is a supernatural gift from God. In order to believe, man needs the interior help of the Holy Spirit” (USCCB, Catechism, Number 179. Accessed 7-5-2023).
It is important to our personal growth in Jesus Christ to understand and take to heart this creed that we profess. In the words of Saint Ambrose, “This creed is the spiritual seal, our hearts’ meditation, and an ever-present guardian; it is unquestionably, the treasure of our soul” (St. Ambrose, Explanatio symboli, 1 PL 17, 1193).
Reflections for Journaling:
The Nicene Creed came about because people had deeper questions about Jesus and God. What is one of your biggest questions about God?
In reading the Nicene Creed at the beginning of this chapter, what are two phrases that stand out as things that you want to learn more about?
We know we need the gift of the Holy Spirit to truly believe. How have you experienced this in your life?
Who in your life can you openly talk to about your questions about your faith?
Where can you turn to read or learn more about your faith?
Please join me on the journey6 thourhg the Nicene Creed for all 12 parts in this series. For more the entire series, please look for m y book, "I Believe:
Loreen Marie Derry is a Roman Catholic who worshiped in Charismatic Roman Catholic communities as a teen and in college. She earned a Bachelor's degree double major in Theology and Psychology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, and Master's in Clinical Psychology from Slippery Rock University. For a time, she lived a life of wandering in faith, and then she and her husband found spiritual renewal in a Charismatic Protestant church that was very Spirit-filled and focused on the Word of God. In 2018, Loreen and her husband found a home at Ascension Catholic Community in Melbourne, FL. In 2020, Loreen walked beside her husband as a sponsor in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Being so inspired by this process and returning to the Church of her youth, she has continued reading theology and inspirational writings. As a result of this journey of faith, Loreen now writes devotionals, articles about faith, and poetry reflections. The focus of her works are spiritual reading for for new and renewed Catholic followers of Jesus Christ.
