Why the Apostles' Creed?

Several people have asked recently about the Apostles’ Creed—why we say it in our church every month on communion Sunday, and why we say it in a form that includes language that may be unusual for us and/or difficult to understand.  So I'd like to talk a little about the reasons we have been doing this, which hopefully will also shed some light on a broader vision for the purposes and practice of public worship among Christians.

First, to lay some foundation, let me reproduce here a section from our church's Vision/Prayer Project, put together by myself and our other leaders a few years ago:  "Pray that our Sunday worship would represent God accurately and reflect His Divine attributes in a balanced way, so that the members of the body and anyone who joins us would see Him in all His glory.  Pray that our worship would communicate both His transcendence and His immanence, the fact that He is both a God of the ages and a God of today, and the balance of formal order and informal spontaneity that is revealed in His creation.  (This is why elements of our worship are both “traditional” and “contemporary”—why we sing both old and new songs, for example, and offer some prayers that are scripted and some that are spontaneous.)"

Part of our vision for corporate worship is, and has always been, that some elements would intentionally communicate our connection with the past ages of church history, and that some of them would also be a bit difficult, and even uncomfortable for us, because they are designed to take us out of our comfort zone and remind us of attributes of God that we may not be familiar with.  So I actually hope and expect that some elements of our worship will “stretch” many of us and take us “out of our comfort zone” to one degree or another, as I’m sure the Apostles’ Creed does for some.  Of course, saying the Creed may be no problem for some, while other elements of the worship might be uncomfortable for them (like modern songs).  And that’s okay—in fact, it can be good—because we all tend to have a set of conceptions about God and the church that should be “stretched” as a part of the sanctification (Christian growth) that we all need, and we want to experience God in all His varied attributes and works, as the quote above says.

So why is the Apostles’ Creed itself worth saying, even with the exact words we have been using?  How does it help us to represent the truths that God is a God of the ages and that we are connected to the historical church that Jesus has been building since Pentecost (Matt. 16:18)?  Here are a few reasons that I think it is helpful for achieving those goals...

First, the Apostles’ Creed is probably the most used recitation, other than the Lord’s Prayer, in the history of the church.  It has been used by almost all denominations around the world since the fourth century, and probably before, and therefore is immediately recognizable as a part of Christian tradition.  We don’t do many things in our service, which contains mostly contemporary elements, to make that connection with the past, so doing this one thing once a month assures that we will make that connection regularly.  Second, it is one of the few things that we do that will be recognizable to people coming from a background in many historical church traditions, that will communicate to them that we are not some cult or innovative offshoot of historical Christianity, but a part of the same tree.  We don’t have to worry about being “overly traditional” or “worshipping the past,” because we have so many contemporary elements in our worship, but we do face the danger of not sufficiently connecting with the past.  Saying this recognized historic confession once a month helps us to do that on a regular basis.

I also think it’s good that the Apostles’ Creed, in the form we say it, has been a traditional part of worship in the Roman Catholic church.  We are not hesitant to criticize that church’s significant errors and identify ourselves as separate from it, but we also want to recognize that the medieval Roman Catholic church was part of the "family tree" that we are descended from, and that there were good things about it that we can celebrate rather than criticize.  So those who visit or attend with us who have a Roman Catholic background will recognize the Creed and its specific wording, and will see that we are not rejecting everything about that historic church.  And finally, the fact that some of the traditional wording is often misunderstood (like “descended into hell” and “holy catholic church”) should not keep us from using it…it’s important that we retain those words and explain them the right way.  We shouldn’t let terms like that be monopolized by those who teach error, but keep them and rescue them from distorted understandings.  An example would be that we don’t stop using the term “justification” simply because it has been used in the wrong way so many times…we keep using it in an accurate way to “win it back” from the false teachers.

 

 

I love this DVD!

Some Dickens novels I read first, then check out the movies, but some I watch first so I can have a picture in my mind of the characters and places, and then enjoy the nuances and details of Dickens' depiction. This one I've watched several times without reading the novel yet, and it's one of my favorites ever. Tom Wilkinson narrates Dickens' semi-autobiographical tale (an "exaggerated" and "edited" version of his life, we could call it), Daniel Ratcliffe plays the young David, Bob Hoskins as Mr. Macawber, Maggie Smith as Betsy Trotwood...what's not to like? And the rest of the characters and settings are just right too.

As a Christian, the icing on the cake for me is Dickens' propensity for illustrating God's sovereign providence, even over evil acts and persons, which causes "all things to work together for good." Some critics have said too many coincidences come together in Dickens to be believable, but I believe like he did that it happens all the time, though we may not see it from our limited vantage point. The fictional narrator is able to see it, however, so we can too as we watch the events unfold through his eyes.

An example is the terrific scene where Miss Trotwood tells off Mr. Murdstone and his sister, saving David from a fate worse than death. She can "peg" the abusive husband because she endured one herself in the past, and she has the passion and resolve to stand up to him for the same reason. The hand of providence used her past misfortune to insure a bright future for David, and provide a greater measure of redemption and meaning for her own life as well.

Proving Our Point -- Discussion Between a Believer and Some (Un?)believers

The other day an agnostic/atheist friend of mine posted a picture on Facebook that said, "No evidence exists to support any claim that the Jews were ever enslaved by the Egyptians, not one single piece of evidence!  Just another lie in the Bible!" Then this discussion ensued, which I thought you might find interesting:

Me:  First, I'm not even sure that's true...I'd have to check on it. But even if it is, remember skeptics said that for years about the Hittites, the Edomites, written documents at the time of Moses, etc.--all which have been proven by modern archaelogy, which by the way has never disproven any claim of Scripture.

Brenda:  It is interesting that there is no evidence of over a million (conservative estimate) people wandering around the Sinai for 40 years at the time of Moses.  You would think that some evidence would be found, especially since they know where to look. I removed my christian blinders towards evidence when I left the religion.  I was always inclined toward science and investigation, and coming out as atheist was just an acknowledgement of reality for me.  I truly tried to see the magic and miracles, but there is no evidence.

Me:  I'd say you simply put your faith in something else, dear friend.  We all rely on something or someone for our conclusions about what is true and not true. But I still love you just as much, and always will.:)  If you ever open up to it again, consider the idea that the Bible itself teaches that obviously supernatural "sign" miracles would only happen at certain times in history, and we should not expect them to be happening now in the same way they did at times in the past.

Chuck:  Dave, I just have to ask why you think miracles happened then but not now. That is not logical.

Me:  Hi Chuck... Here's a brief answer for you: Even in the times while the Bible was being written, they did not happen continually, but only during certain periods of time when God was revealing his Word (Moses, prophets, Jesus and apostles). Hebrews 2:3-4 and 2 Cor. 12:12 say that supernatural signs (meaning obvious miracles beyond what God normally does) were given for the purpose of validating those who were speaking and writing God's special revelation, which is contained in the Bible. Now that the Bible is complete, that purpose is no longer necessary so we shouldn't expect such signs and wonders. I believe this is what Paul was saying in 1 Cor. 13 when he says prophecies and tongues will cease...I know that's disputed by many Christians, but I think a very good case can be made for it. If you want to read more about the basis for this understanding see Victor Budgeon's book Charismatics and the Word of God or my book Decisions, Decisions--How and How Not to Make Them. Thanks for asking!

Chuck:  Dave, the bible is a select set of parables put together by one man for distribution and control of the people. many other "books" were written but not included in the bible you are refering too. Christians don't seem to get they are entitled to their own beliefs up to the point where you start using them to judge others, there by assuming others beliefs should be the same as yours when they often are not. I appreciate your attempt to educate me and give me guidance but it is not necessary. I grew up being fed the meal that is the bible and at this point, I see it as having been turned and twisted into a book of hate by people who claim to be informed. The fact of the matter is at the time all these "miracles" and stories were written the minds of the people themselves were much simpler and more easily guided into beliefs. It makes you feel safe and warm when you can say no matter what I do, I only have to be forgiven for my wrongs, by a non-corporeal entity that can neither approve nor disapprove my actions, but since I believe I am forgiven I must be. Regardless of the harm caused in the wake of your actions. NO LOGIC AT ALL.

Me:  It's interesting that you mention what we call "the gospel," Chuck. The apostles said that would be a major dividing line between people...the idea of being justified by faith alone, or a "legal fiction" as the Roman Catholic Council of Trent called what the Reformers were rediscovering from the New Testament. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:18, "The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." You're right...I definitely do want to believe that Christ paid the penalty for all my sins on the cross, but that doesn't necessarily make that "divine logic" wrong. I know this might be offensive to you (Paul said that some would be offended too), but I'm not offended by you saying I have "no logic at all." :) I appreciate the opportunity for frank, direct, and respectful dialogue, and will pray that if there is a God, he will bless you with his grace.

Chuck:  Thank you for proving my point Dave.

I thought of saying, "And thank you for proving Paul's." But I just said "You're welcome."

Lord, Have Mercy on This Town (Song for Sonoma)

(I wrote this song/poem in 2001, when I was a church planting pastor in the "wild west" of the northern California wine country. The tune is a cross between "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone":)

Lord, have mercy on this town
It’s so lost, can it be found?
Though I know I’m just one man
Won’t You use me if you can
Lord, have mercy on this town

Lord, have mercy on this town
Can You loose what has it bound?
Though I know I’m filled with flaws
I’m the long arm of Your law
Lord, have mercy on this town

I watch the vultures circle high above the valley floor
The life below that bids them stay one day will be no more
Descending with a lust for blood, by justice not delayed
They’ll feast upon the dead…
‘Til the penalty is paid

Lord, have mercy on this town
Break apart its fallow ground
Though I know I’m just a fool
Won’t You use me as Your tool
Lord, have mercy on this town

Stung by the summer heat I saw of a vision of this land
Saloon and bank and farm and stagecoach covered by the sand
But then the ground was moving and the dust was swirling high
The bones became a man…
And that man became alive!

He said, “Unless you die, you can never live.
“And before you can take...
you must learn to give.”

Lord, have mercy on this town
Spread Your gracious love around
Though I’m not sure where to go
Won’t You use my hands to sow
Lord, have mercy on this town

Lord, have mercy on this town
(I watch the vultures circle high above the valley floor)
Will its wounds yet be unwound?
(The life below that bids them stay one day will be no more)
Lord, it looks like harvest time
Grow some fruit among these vines
Lord, have mercy on this town
(Stung by the summer heat I saw a vision of this land)
Judgment day it’s going down
(Saloon and bank and farm and stagecoach covered by the sand)
When I stand before Your throne
I don’t want to stand alone
Lord, have mercy on this town
(I watch the vultures circle high above the valley floor…)

Yes, when I stand before Your throne
I don’t want to stand alone
Lord, have mercy on this town

A Different Approach to Politics and the Election (i.e. a Gospel-Centered Approach)

In honor of the upcoming presidential election, I am posting a link to a message I gave to our church four years ago before the last one, which I believe is just as applicable now...

Click on this link to hear the message, and here is the basic outline of what I shared:

Dave’s Dos and Dont’s:

DO pray about the election (and the government), in a "kingdom-oriented" way

DO consider the issues with an open mind

DO be discerning and even skeptical about both sides of issues

DON’T allow your political views to be expressed in sinful ways

DON’T allow your political views to create unnecessary barriers between you and unbelievers

DON’T allow your political views or activities to be a substitute for personal godliness

DON’T judge other believers for how they vote or what they think on issues that are not clear in Scripture

Pink Floyd Questions and Answers

Tell me true, tell my why, was Jesus crucified?
Was it for this that Daddy died?
Was it you? Was it me?
Did I watch too much TV?
Is that a hint of accusation in your eyes?

Those are the first words of my favorite Pink Floyd album, The Final Cut, which also happens to be the last one the band made with the legendary lyricist Roger Waters.

[If you’re not a Pink Floyd fan, you can skip this paragraph, but if you are… I know, I know, The Final Cut is supposed to be their worst album, because the band was all but split by then and David Gilmour only sang on one song, so it was really a Roger Waters solo album with a few Gilmour solos plugged in, etc. etc. But notice I didn’t say it was necessarily the best album (Dark Side maybe?) or their most artistically impressive (The Wall probably). I just said it’s my favorite, but I also could make a case for its objective quality: the great lyrics, of course, and the passion and pain that only Waters could bring to the vocals. I enjoy Gilmour’s voice much more, but I have to say it wouldn’t fit most or all of these songs. And those few guitar solos by him are not chopped liver!]

Waters is asking some very important questions in that verse, and I have the answers! Not because I’m so smart or great in any way—in fact, I think I’m incapable of determining such truth on my own, with my human limitations. So I have to rely on someone greater than myself to reveal it, and I believe God has revealed the answers in a book that claims to be His Word and backs up that claim in many ways. (For more information about why I say that about the Bible, listen to the audio file called “Messages from God” at www.faithchurchpca.org/multimedia.)

Tell me true, tell me why, was Jesus crucified?
Was it for this that Daddy died?

Roger Waters’ father died in the battle of Anzio in World War II, just before his baby son was born back in England. I’m not sure exactly what Waters meant by this question, but I do know there is a connection between his father’s death and the death of Christ, as there is a connection between all death and the death of Christ. Death came into the world because man sinned against God, and the natural consequence of sin is separation from the spiritual life that God imparts to His children (Genesis 3, Romans 5:12). This divine life is morally perfect and clean and cannot remain in those who are defiled by sin, so we suffer the physical pain and death by being part of a broken world. And in legal terms, humanity finds itself under the just condemnation of a God who warned us that if we sin, we will die. And we all do, so we die—not just here in this life but in the next as well, as our separation from the life of God continues in eternity.

The connection with Christ’s death is that in order for any of us to be reconciled to God, and be free from the power and penalty of sin, the divine Son of God had to become a man and die in our place, as our substitute. Because he was both God and man, He could bear the sins of everyone who believes in Him, and the divine life of God could freely flow to us and in us because the price has been paid and the condemnation removed. So “Why was Jesus crucified?” To provide a remedy for the sins of mankind, which have issued in cruel and painful deaths like Roger Waters’ father, and every other curse we labor under in this fallen world. “Was it for this that Daddy died?” It was because of our sins, yes, but the good news is that since Christ has borne the penalty for us, we can now look on physical death as a good thing in the long run, sorrowful as it might be at the time. It reminds us of what we deserve, so we will run to Christ and rely on Him to save us, and for those who do, death is only a “mere speed bump” on the way to eternal life with Him.

Was it you? Was it me?
Did I watch too much TV?

Yes, in a way it was you and me, and we definitely have watched too much TV. The fact that we often spend our time so unwisely, when it could be used for much more profitable purposes, shows how the priorities in our hearts are far from what they should be. And our love for pleasure more than God reveals how we have been corrupted by original sin, when He is the only source of permanent satisfaction. To get a small taste of why such idolatry is so offensive to God, imagine spending all your time, energy, and money raising a child who ends up utterly ungrateful, never thanking you or giving you the honor you deserve for all you’ve given him.

Is that a hint of accusation in your eyes?

Unfortunately, yes. There is a hint, or more than a hint of accusation that we see in the eyes of others, especially religious and moral people. But that is not a fruit of the true gospel, which teaches us that no one is better than anyone else and we all deserve to die for our sins, only to be delivered by the righteousness of Christ and none of our own. That hint or more of accusation is a fruit of self-righteousness and pride—the antitheses of the attitude that Christians should have toward those who have different beliefs and live a different lifestyle than we do. There should only be love, compassion, and understanding in our eyes toward them. But so often the religiosity and moralism that pretends to be Christianity dominates the spiritual landscape and effectively severs its adherents from the true grace of God (Galatians 5:1-4). And that false Christianity is the beginning of inevitable decline in the church and the culture. “Judgment begins with the house of God,” as the writer of Hebrews says, and that leads me to another question from a little later in the Pink Floyd song…

Should we cry? Should we scream?
What happened to the post-war dream?

I think what happened to the post-war dream was that the self-righteousness and pride I mentioned earlier seeped into the church and the “Christian culture” of the 40s and 50s, as a result of the wartime achievements of the western nations and the inevitable self-comparisons with the shocking evil of the Nazis. “I thank you Lord that I am not like them,” we all said, just like the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14, who was not justified before God because he trusted in who he was and what he did. And because we did not honor the Creator but worshipped the creature in this most fundamental way, God “gave us over” to destructive pagan behavior (Romans 1:18-32)…and that’s where are now. The solution would have been, and still is, to prostrate ourselves like the tax collector in that same story, who prayed “God, be merciful to me, the sinner.” That man recognized that we are not saved because of who we are and what we do—we are saved because of who Christ is and what He has done. He went to his home justified, and undoubtedly blessed it with a humble faith that issued in changed behavior. When those who profess the name of the Lord begin to approach Him on the basis of grace alone and faith alone, the homes and homeland where we live will be once again blessed through us.

The Century

The dawn of flight to the Princess’ last night
And two World Wars in between
I closed the book, wore a forlorn look
Amazed at what I’d seen

From Malcolm X and JFK
To Czars and walls of falling
It pays that if the world’s a stage
The curtains may be drawing

The lesser fiends, like Mussolini,
Tricky Dick and O.J.
Would breeze through any rivalry
With the greats of other days

And Lindbergh, Ruth, and Reagan fly
With the Fab Four and the King
To reach the heights of “the good guys”
But the camera gave them wings

Ironic how the clearest speech
Laconic as bullets are
Could sound from death camp, trench, and beach
The Right and Wrong of war.

Does in that lie the answer
Why combat seems so real
While lover, poet, dancer
Have such a shallow feel?

For death the breath can capture
And wrest a moment’s pause
We reflect the effect is after
When pressed to find the Cause.

(I wrote this poem after looking through a book about the 20th Century, published in 2000)