A MOMENT IN TIME
Creeds are always snap-shots of faith. They "freeze" a moment of theological understanding, as a photograph captures light, and "stops" expressions and motion in mid-gesture. The particular instant is recorded, even as life, spiritual and physical, continues to move.
The Apostle's Creed, including the words: "born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried," reflects the issues of the first and second century of the common era - the real humanity of Jesus.
The Nicene Creed, with its langauge of "very God of very God, begotten not created" illustrates third and fourth century (c.e.) issues - the divinity of Jesus and his relationship to God.
Shortly after the formation of the United Church of Canada, a new statement of faith was requested. While not so much a creed, this longer statement sought to wrestle with the reality of evil in the world as was being expressed in the terrors and tragedies of World War - that came to include trench warfare, poison gas, nuclear weapons, firebombing, and the shoah (the deliberate and meticulously planned and implemented destruction of European Jews, and others), This 1940 statement is still published in the Beliefs section of the denominational website.
The United Church Creedwas originally entitled "A Contemporary Expression of Christian Faith." It was developed by a task group of United Church members and theological leaders to put Christian faith into language that made sense in the increasingly secular, existentialist, and scientific world of the late 1960's. The new Creed (which came to be called "The New Creed") was approved by the 23rd General Council in 1968. It was revised in 1980 to make the language more inclusive of genders, ("man" language was replaced with "we" language). It was revised again in 1994, to add the reference "to live with respect in creation," a recognition of both the increased awareness of environmental issues as part of God's creation, and of the healing relationship needed between the Church and Aboriginal peoples of Canada. (A fascinating history of the New Creed is available in the current study document "Our Words of Faith").
(Since then another faith statement was developed and shared through the United Church, entitled, "A Song of Faith." Given its length, you are invited to follow this link, to find that poetic theological language.)
"THE NEW CREED"
We are not alone.
We live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life,
In death,
In life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
