Creed

The movie “Creed”, starring Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan, came out in 2015. If you came here hoping for a review filled with insight, introspection and pithy comments, I’m sorry to disappoint, this isn’t about that movie. This also isn’t about everyone’s favorite mid-90’s-shirtless-leather pants wearing-American rock band (you know you love ‘em!), again, sorry to disappoint. Keep reading, this is much better.

The moniker “Christian” doesn’t mean much anymore, at least not in American culture. It used to, but it has become so diluted by personal preference and complicated by bad theology that one cannot simply say, “I am a Christian” and expect people to understand what that means.

I’m a Christian. I am a follower of Christ. Admittedly, I am not the best follower. I am an imperfect follower, but I try to become a whole-hearted follower each day. But what does that mean? You probably have several things running through your mind right now that answers that question for you. Your idea of what a Christian is may be partially based on what you know of me, but most likely, it’s based on your own perception of what you know (or think you know) about what Christianity in general is. There have been innumerable people throughout the last two thousand plus years who have claimed this title, but who have done or said things that make our eyes roll and our skin crawl. Some of that may have even been a reaction to me (I’m truly sorry). For most in the good ‘ol U.S. of A., our example of a Christian is reflected in prominent people who claim this affiliation, because, after all, we are collectively obsessed with celebrity. It’s an easy trap to fall into. Some of us see Christians behaving badly and say, “See, they’re all like that!” Others of us see Christians doing the right thing and say, “Gee, I wish I was that good!” Honestly, I’ve said both. In reality, this is foolish, because the only person someone who believes and follows the teachings of Christ should be aspiring to is, in fact, Christ (Gal 1:10; Gal 2:20).

What I basically mean when I say “I’m a Christian” can be summed up in what many know as the Apostles Creed. I’m not Catholic (Note: I have updated two lines to reflect this), but the sentiments of this statement are the sentiments of belief for most Christ followers.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, (Is 44:6; Is 45:5, Mt 5:45; Rom 3:23)
Creator of heaven and earth, (Gen 1:1; Rom 1:20; Jn 1:1-3)
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, (Mt 3:17; Jn 3:16; Jn 20:28)
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, (Lk 1:35)
born of the Virgin Mary, (Lk 1:26-27; Lk 2:7)
suffered under Pontius Pilate, (Lk 23:23-25; Jn 19:16)
was crucified, died, and was buried. (Jn 19:29 – 42, 1 Cor 15:3; 1 Pt 3:18)
He defeated sin and death; (1 Cor 15:55-57; Heb 2:14; Rev 1:18)
on the third day He rose from the dead, (Mt 28:1-10; Jn 20; 1 Cor 15:4)
He ascended in heaven, (Lk 24:51; Acts 1:11)
and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; (Mk 16:19; Heb 1:3)
I believe He will come again (Mt 16:27; Acts 10:39)
to judge the living and the dead. (Jn 5:22; 2 Tim 4:1)
I believe in the Holy Spirit, (Jn 14:15 – 31; Acts 1:7 – 8; Acts 2)
the holy church, united in Christ, (Mt 16:18 – 19; Eph 5:26-27; Acts 4)
the communion of Saints, (Mt 28:19 – 20; Heb 10:25; James 5:16; 1 Thes 5:11)
the forgiveness of sins, (Mt 26:28; 1 Jn 1:9; 1 Cor 5:17; Eph 1:7)
the resurrection of the body, (1 Cor 15:51 – 54; 1 Thes 4:13 – 18)
and eternal life. (Jn 10:28, Jn 17:2-3; 1 Jn 5:20)
Amen.

This may seem elementary, but these tenants of faith often get lost in the religiousness of ritualistic recital and the self-centeredness of have-it-your-way beliefs. These phrases go beyond tradition and stand at the core of my faith. They give perspective and help keep me grounded. They are a reflection of my belief in God as well as a defining element of that belief. 

Some say they don’t believe in God because of the actions of some of the people who do. I choose to believe in God in spite of those people and because of the actions of God in my life. More on that next time…

BTW, One of may favorite songs by the late Rich Mullins is Creed...