To Be or Not to Be a Christian, That is the Question…

The Nicene Creed and Orthodoxy

Recently online there has been a lot of conversation around the Nicene Creed. These conversations have been sparked by the Southern Baptist Convention and its discussions surrounding whether or not it will formally accept the Creed in its doctrinal standards and confession. The fact that this has even been a discussion is startling to all historically grounded Christians. Thus, I wanted to write this article to very briefly present this thesis: conscious rejection of the Nicene Creed and failure to confess it is the difference between a Christian denomination and a heretical cult. 

Throughout Christian history, the Nicene Creed has provided the confession of faith for the Catholic Church. It presents the fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith throughout all ages, grounded in the Holy Scriptures as interpreted by the Church, the pillar and ground of truth (1 Tim 3:15). There has never been a period of history since the Creed was codified where its role in the Church was considered optional. Since its words were agreed upon ecumenically (by the whole Church), it was seen to be ultimately guided and written by the Holy Ghost himself. The Creed is thus seen to be inerrant and thus essential to the Christian faith. 

Even a Creed like the Athanasian Creed, which has less ecumenical authority, recognized itself as speaking for the entire Church going as far as to say, “This is the catholic faith: one cannot be saved without believing it firmly and faithfully.” [1] These words apply just as dogmatically, if not more so, to the Nicene Creed. 

All of this to say, historic Christian dogma cannot be rejected on the basis of post-enlightenment modernism which suggests that nothing is binding beyond what the individual deems reasonable. God gifted his people with a Church, the community of saints, which has been given the ability, when it comes to matters of essential importance, to speak with authority, binding the consciences of the faithful. The Nicene Creed is the chief example of the authority of the Church and for centuries it has been what separates Christians from heretics. 

If the Southern Baptist Convention refuses to adopt this Creed as the very voice of the Holy Spirit, confirming the words of Scripture, they place themselves in the ranks of the Gnostics, Arians, Nestorians, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and all other heretical groups that have been cut off from God. 

So to them, I will quote the Athanasian Creed again, which is simply a detailed accounting of the doctrine set forth in the Nicene Creed: “Whoever desires to be saved should above all hold to the catholic faith. Anyone who does not keep it whole and unbroken will doubtless perish eternally.” [2]

May God extend mercy to the Baptists, moving them from their grievous error and into the truth of the Christian faith.

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Bibliography

1. The Book of Common Prayer. p.771. Anglican House Publishers, 2019.

2. Ibid, p. 769.