Book Review: The Nicene Creed by Kevin DeYoung

This year marks the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, which says:

We believe in one God,

the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

begotten from the Father before all ages,

God from God,

Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made;

of the same essence as the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven;

he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,

and was made human.

He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered and was buried.

The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.

He ascended to heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again with glory

to judge the living and the dead.

His kingdom will never end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord, the giver of life.

He proceeds from the Father and the Son,

and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.

He spoke through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.

We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,

and to life in the world to come. Amen.

This creed has been accepted by not just Protestants, but by Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.  In fact, there a vote in last year's annual meeting for the Southern Baptist Church to be incorporated into the Baptist Faith and Message, which was defeated. 

This creed has been studied by many in the church over years and there have been a few resources available on what the creed teaches. Kevin DeYoung has taken the task to write a brief commentary on the creed titled, The Nicene Creed: What You Need to Know about the Most Important Creed Ever Written.

DeYoung does a good job writing on each of the key elements of the creed without making the reader feel like he was going over their heads. I personally think his writing on the church being "one holy catholic and apostolic church" because the word catholic tends to be associated with the Roman Catholic church which is not a true church. 

When addressing the subject of Baptism, obviously DeYoung is going to speak from a Paedo Baptist perspective which makes it the weakest part of the entire book. One issue I did have with this chapter was DeYoung said that he believes a baptism from the Roman Catholic church was actually valid. Seriously? The Roman Catholic church believes that child is saved, incorporated into the church, by baptism. This is non-biblical, however, the fact that DeYoung said this was a valid baptism really makes his teaching on baptism not worth reading, which has also made the book less desirable to read or even use as reference.

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

A Group of Pastors Discuss Creeds and Confessions

The pastors of Kerrville Bible Church has a discussion on their podcast regarding creeds, confessions, and catechisms. They raised some issues I have had with them which includes holding a creed and confession as sacred as the Bible. This video is audio only:

Book Review: Crisis of Confidence by Carl Trueman

I have stated on this blog that creeds and confessions are expressions of the Christian Church. Most of them have been around for centuries while others are just being released. Most of them do support what the Bible says while others are just echoes of the winds of culture so they can be relevant to those around them. 

There are some in the church who do think that creed and confessions are not needed today. Some have said, "No Creeds but Christ," however that is a creed just like no rules is a rule in anarchy. 

Does there need to be a resurgence for creeds and confessions in the church today? This is what Carl Trueman wants his readers to understand in his book Crisis of Confidence, which is a revised edition of his previous book on creeds, The Creedal Imperative.

Basically, what Trueman wants to communicate for the church to know about creeds is that they make us realize we are not the center of the universe. We are not to be a people who are individualistic. We are to be a people who are called by God, worships God, and understand who we are.

The book begins with the cultural war against creeds followed by the foundation for them and how the early church handled creeds. Later on, Trueman addresses how creeds can be used for worship which Trueman makes his case that if we truly embrace the scriptures, we can see how creeds can be used in corporate worship.

At the end of the book, Trueman makes a statement that I find ironic. He addresses that there have been many evangelicals who have left and embrace Roman Catholicism. He essentially blames the church for the lack of creeds and having a good historical grasp on the Christian faith. The reason I find this so ironic, is where Trueman has been headed as of late. He seems to be embracing the writings of Thomas Aquinas who is Roman Catholic philosopher who denies justification by faith alone. Many in the Roman Catholic church love Aquinas to the point they have called him, "The Angelic Doctor."

I know I am supposed to review this is book which was a revised edition of a book from 2012 and not where Trueman is theologically right now, but given the trajectory of where he is heading, all I have to say is if you desire to read this book, proceed with caution.

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review. 

My Review of the ESV Creeds and Confessions Bible

A while back, Grace Bible Theological Seminary (GBTS) was giving away a copy of the ESV Creeds and Confessions Bible and like everyone else, I entered the contest. Been hearing good things about this Bible and wanted to get my hand on it. GBTS e-mailed me and said that I won, which I was grateful and humbled that I was picked. They even asked me if I want to write a review, which I agreed to. 

This Bible is not a study Bible, but it does contain creeds and confessions from the faith such as the 1689 Baptist Confession, the Apostle Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Westminster Confession, and more. It also has the Heidelberg Catechism and the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms. The confessions are in the Back of the Bible for reference plus, if your pastor is using a creed or confession as a reference, you can turn there and read along with him, The Bible is in the English Standard Version (ESV) and in a double-column format. One thing I love about this Bible is that the font is readable. It is in a 10 point font which is not too small and not too large, which makes it perfect for reading, preaching, scripture memorization. It does has a double-ribbon which is great for reading the Old and New Testament or keeping your place when reading the Bible and going to a confession for reference. 

This particular Bible is in the TruTone leather format which is leather scraps that are bonded together make some quality leather but not as good as a genuine leather Bible, which lasts longer that bonded or TruTone leather Bibles. One thing that has been brought up is the fact that these same creeds and confessions are in the Reformation Study Bible. The question is what is the difference between this Bible and the study Bible? Simply put: The ESV Creeds and Confessions Bible does not have study notes and it is easier to carry to church and in your backpack. 

Whether you are a Presbyterian, Baptist, or just someone who loves the historic creeds and confessions of the faith, this is Bible is one that I would highly recommend. I have enjoyed mine since I got it. This Bible is in my top 5 for personal use. 

I want to thank GBTS for asking me to review this Bible. 

Around The Web-September 25, 2019

50% off on all ESV Reader's Bibles from WTS Books

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12 Reasons to Commit to Expository Preaching by Jason Allen

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John 3:16 Teaches Limited Atonement by James N. Anderson

You don't have to be a Cessationist to know that tongues are not a gift promised for every believer

The Nicene Creed

Yesterday, our church read together the Nicene Creed, which is one of the earliest creeds in the church:

We believe in one God,the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.

Podcast Wednesday: Guardians of The Galaxy, Prayer, Small Groups, and more

Popcorn Theology talks about Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol.2

John Piper answers the question, Is Homosexuality Really the Worst Sin?

Does Prayer Change God's Mind? from Doctrine and Devotion

No Creed But Christ? from White Horse Inn

Why I’m Not a Pacifist (But I Don’t Hate Those Who Are) from Russell Moore

9 Marks on small groups

Trevin Wax– This Is Our Time: Everyday Myths in Light of the Gospel from Equipping You In Grace

Podcast Wednesday: Creeds & Confessions, Reading of Systematic Theology, Call to Ministry, and more

Two episodes from Doctrine and Devotion:

Elder Training

Creeds and Confessions

Dr. Jason Allen– Discerning Your Call to Ministry: How to Know For Sure and What to Do About It from Equipping You In Grace

Check out Calvinist Batman Reads Systematic Theology on iTunes

Three episodes from the Worse Youth Ministry Podcast:

Sanctification in Student Ministry

How to Grow Your Youth Group

Sunday School versus Youth Group

On Pastoring in the Age of Social Media from 9 Marks

Builing a Church Brand from the Est. Church Podcast

A Short Video on The Apostle's Creed

The Apostle's Creed is the most recognized and most quoted of all the creeds in the Christian church. This video from Ryan Reeves gives a short history of the creed.



Books based on the Apostle's Creed:

Affirming The Apostle's Creed by J.I. Packer

What We Believe: Understanding and Confessing the Apostles' Creed by R.C. Sproul

Podcast Wednesday: The Relevance of Preaching, Having Creeds, DC Rebirth, and more

Is Preaching Really Still Relevant Today? with John Piper, Voddie Baucham, and Miguel Núñez

Justin Taylor and Dane Ortlund on a Bible Teacher’s Library

Mathew Sims– We Believe: Creeds, Confessions, & Catechisms for Worship

Visualizing Theology with Calvinist Batman and Tim Challies

Joe Thorn joins The Calling Podcast to discuss being baptist, calling, anxiety and mental illness, and more

Gotham Central discuss DC Rebirth

Should Christians Do Martial Arts? for Apologia Radio

Creeds & Confessions Are Expressions

Back in December, I reviewed a book from R.C. Sproul, where I confessed the first time I heard the Apostle's Creed was from an Petra song called, "Creed." If you have reading reformed theologians or listening to podcast, it is most likely you have heard a creed or confession.

For most of my Christian walk, I have attended Southern Baptist churches where we don't resist creed nor hold to one, even though the Baptist Faith and Message could be considered one. If you asked most Christians what creed do they hold, they might say, "No creed but the Bible." Other might not even know what a creed is except as the name of a rock band or the latest Sylvester Stallone movie.

A creed is simply statement of Christian beliefs. A confession normally refers to something that is hidden. In the context of Christian, it is basically expressing what we believe which is made in essay form. There have been many creeds over the centuries such as the Apostle's Creed, Creed of Nicaea, and Chalcedonian Creed. There have numerous confession as well such as The Westminster Confession of Faith and the 1689 London Baptist Confession.

As I hear these sermons and podcasts, I am amazed at how some men have these creeds and confessions quoted more than the Bible, which concerns me. First, let me say this: I am not anti-creedal. I am for having creeds and confessions. Whether you are a Baptist or Presbyterian, it is good to have these so we know what we believe and where in the Bible to find them.

The problem is when they are known and, often times, quoted more than Scripture. Granted if you are doing a study on a confession that is one thing. During a sermon when a creed and confession is quoted more than the Bible, it can become a problem. What you have done is elevated those words with the same authority as the Bible. One of the Solas of the Reformation is Sola scriptura, which means Scripture alone is the final authority for the believer in faith and practice.

Creeds and confessions are expressions of our faith, not the basis for our faith. What a Christian believes comes from the Bible, not a formal statement or a series of writings outside the Biblical text.

I hope none of you took this as an anti-creedal post. What I hope you understand is creeds and confessions are important, however, they need to be put in their place which is, basically, supplemental. Creeds and confessions should never be in the same league with the Bible.

Book Review: What We Believe by R.C Sproul

What is the purpose of creed and confessions? First of all, they are not an addition to the Bible. Creed and confessions exist as an expression of what Christians believe based upon the pages of Scripture.

Creeds and confessions are not to take the place of the Bible, but be a supplement to our faith. Theology should not be based on creeds and confessions. Our theology should be based on the Bible. Creeds and confessions are expressions of what Christians believe.

Over the years, there have been many creeds Christians study that make them go back to the Bible as to why we believe that. Some creeds are even used as corporate reading. One of those creeds is the Apostles' Creed, which goes like this:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Maker of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;

He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead;

He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting.

Amen.


I have to admit, the first time I heard this creed was from an old Petra song. R.C. Sproul takes the Apostles' Creed and uses it to show what Christians believe in his book, What We Believe. Sproul breaks the creed and uses it to teach fundamental truths about the Christian life.

Sproul says that faith must be lived out by faith in a world of unbelief which is why the first chapter is dedicated to the first two words, "I believe." Sproul continues to talk about who God is, why He is our Father, and even addressed the virgin birth of Christ.

Sproul tackles some of the hard to grasp concepts of the creed such as Jesus decending into hell and the holy catholic church. Sproul at times can be hard to read depending on the topic. This book was very easy to understand. He does not try to go above the reader's head. I would assume that he is not only writing to believers but also to unbelievers.

Knowing what Christians believe is very important in our day. The world will tell us what we should believe, but Christians need to know what we believe and where in the Bible we can point to why we believe it.

Thanks Baker Books for letting me review this book.

Recommended Resources:

The Apostles' Creed sermon series from The Village Church

Affirming the Apostles' Creed by J.I. Packer