For my Topics in the Philosophy of Religion (Philosophy 441) class, we have to write an informal, one page, reaction paper for each of the reading assignments.
Here is my first reaction paper for you to read and critique!
Violent and Irrational: Not the Catholic Faith
January 18, 2009
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Abortion, Apologetics, Books, Catholic Social Teaching, Catholic, General, Converts and Conversion, Creeds, Culture Wars, Devotions and Spirituality, Education, Evangelization, Growth, Islam, Martyrs, Morality and Moral Issues, News, Persecution, Politics, Popular Culture, Pro-Life Issues, Saints and Sainthood | Tagged: Atheism, Belief, Faith, God, Philosophy, Reason, religion | 
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Posted by Jorge Flores
Are the Creeds Defective?
August 16, 2008The ancient creeds are defective? Apparently the Rev. John Beverly Butcher thinks so. He writes in Episcopal Life:
Perhaps you have noticed that the creeds speak of the birth of Jesus and then of his death. There is no mention of the life of Jesus, no mention of the teachings of Jesus, no mention of the healing power of Jesus.
The heart of the gospel is missing. The creeds are defective and need to be taken out of service. Instead, let us proclaim clearly the gospel of the Resurrected Jesus, “The seed of true humanity is within you. Follow it!” Gospel of Mary (Magdalene) 4:5
Butcher also omits the Nicene Creed from the worship services he conducts, saying that his congregation doesn’t even miss it. He even admonishes other clergy, saying, “I would encourage others to let go and feel the freedom.”
I feel like I should address this, because I have heard thoughts similar to this repeated often and uncritically. Usually it goes something like “the creeds are all about metaphysical stuff, and ignore the historical Jesus,” which is not true, as a basic reading of the creeds tells you this. Sometimes, it takes the form of Rev. Butcher’s objection, which is that the creeds emphasize stuff about Jesus too much, and not enough about what he taught. Let me argue that Christians know a lot about Jesus’ life and teachings, that disobeying his teachings is sinful, and that who Jesus is directly relates to what he did and taught.
Now, Rev. Butcher is correct that the creeds do not mention a lot about the life and moral teachings of Jesus. The creeds don’t mention the Beatitudes, loving your neighbor, or the healing power of Jesus. But do they have to? From a Catholic standpoint, and classical Protestant as well, violating Jesus’ commandments is a sin, and an obvious one at that. I guarantee most Catholic children are more likely to be able to tell you about the Beatitudes and Ten Commandments than the Nicene Creed, and the same is probably true of adults as well. I didn’t learn about the Trinity until I was in fifth grade or so, but I sure knew a lot about the life, healing power, and teachings of Jesus. My main point is that just because it is not mentioned in the creeds does not imply any sort of ignorance about it among Christians. Also, when a person becomes Catholic, he affirms that he believes all that the Church teaches, which includes Jesus’ divinity as well as Jesus’ moral teachings. Just because we don’t get up each Sunday and affirm a belief in all of Jesus’ moral commands does not mean they are unimportant, and any informed Catholic will tell you that Jesus’ teachings are just as important as who he is (because his life, healing power, and teachings flow from who he is).
Also, the creeds do mention the events at the heart of the gospel: the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The Nicene Creed proclaims that Jesus came from heaven for us, and for our salvation. Like much of the New Testament, the creeds devote a lot of time to the death and resurrection of Jesus, but this is because of their vital importance to the Christian story of salvation, the gospel. Additionally, the creeds go out of their way to emphasize who Jesus is, because who is he determines not only the character, but also the authority, of what he has to say, and the ancient Fathers knew this. They knew that who Jesus was directly related to our salvation, and to the life Jesus lived. If Jesus was not God Incarnate, not “true God from true God,” not raised from dead, then not only were we not fully redeemed, but Jesus’ teachings were just that of another man who died too young. So yes, I believe the creeds do contain the gospel, but I suspect that the Rev. Butcher means something different by “gospel,” so we would probably be talking past one another.
Finally, the rev. Butcher quotes from the “Gospel of Mary,” written during the second century, which many scholars interpret as a Gnostic text. It is certainly not in any Christian canon that I am aware of. There are actually groups online that claim to be Gnostic, so perhaps Rev. Butcher would find a better home there, rather than in a church that recites the creed weekly, and claims to believe it.
1 Comment | 
Anglican and Episcopal, Creeds | Tagged: Creeds, Episcopal, Nicene Creed | 
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Posted by David Bennett
Pelikan on “The Need for Creeds”
March 28, 2008Even though I mostly enjoy the interviews on American Public Media’s Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippet, the series is usually a little fuzzy-wuzzy and left-of-center for my taste. Hey, it’s public radio, not EWTN…what do you expect?
That’s why I was pleasantly surprised to see both this topic and interviewee on the show:
The Jaroslav Pelikan on “The Need for Creeds”
Audio of the interview (mp3, 53:27)
Episode webpage
The interview with the late theologian and late-in-life convert to the Orthodox Church from Lutheranism was recorded in 2003. He died on May 13, 2006.
Here’s a transcript of an excerpt I found particularly quotable:
Tippet: So, what is it about Christianity that has needed creeds?
Pelikan: Well, what it is about religious faith that needs creed is that religious faith in general, prayer addressed to “to whom it may concern”, sentiment about some transcendent dimension otherwise undefined does not have any staying power. It’s OK to have that at ten o’clock on a Sunday morning when you’re out with your friends somewhere, but in the darkest hours of life you gotta believe something specific. And that specification is the task of the creed. Because, much as some people may not like it, to believe one thing is also to disbelieve another.
Tippet: *curtly* Huh.
Pelikan: To say yes is also to say no.
6 Comments | 
Creeds, Fathers of the Church | Tagged: audio, Jaroslav Pelikan, radio | 
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Posted by Jason S
A New Year’s Resolution Idea
December 29, 2007
With the new year just around the corner, I would like to encourage all Catholics to consider becoming better catechists –according to their specific responsibilities as pastors, parents, teachers, etc.– as one of the resolutions for the new year.
As many of you know, catechesis has been one of the most important priorities of the Church since its inception. The Lord himself commanded the Apostles to make disciples of all nations and to teach them to observe all that he had commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). This command is exactly that, a command. It is not a mere suggestion or proposition. Furthermore, it is of utmost importance to know and realize that this command is not just for the clergy. No, my brothers and sisters, this command applies to every baptized person as is clearly expressed on Pope John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation CATECHESI TRADENDAE (On Catechesis In Our Time). Let us also keep in mind, however, that we all have different responsibilities in regards to the work of catechesis. These responsibilities stem from each one’s own mission. That is, a priest has certain catechetical responsibilities, a parent has his own, a teacher also has his own, etc. Thus, if we want our Church to be successful –cathecetically speaking– we should not attempt to override our duties and our rights as Catholic Christians.
Finally, I would like to remind all catechists that they should comfortably be able to say “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me”. Otherwise, if we teach our teachings and not that of the Church…well, we’ll be in deep trouble!
A Special Prayer to Saint Charles Borromeo
O Saintly reformer, animator of spiritual renewal of priests and religious, you organized true seminaries and wrote a standard catechism. Inspire all religious teachers and authors of catechetical books. Move them to love and transmit only that which can form true followers of the Teacher who was divine. Amen.
For Pope John Paul II’s aspotolic exhortation, click here: http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2CATEC.HTM
5 Comments | Catholic, General, Creeds, Evangelical, Evangelization, Liturgical Year | Permalink
Posted by Jorge Flores
Light On Christmas
December 24, 2007
A few days ago I re-published another blogger’s comparison of Bishop Schori & Pope Benedict’s Christmas messages asking readers to compare, contrast and offer thoughts. I wanted to think about how I would formulate what struck me right away.
The difference between them, when comparing and contrasting, was the difference between night and day in a real way. It is a difference in illumination.
These past few nights in my corner of the world the moonlight has been exceptional. Just the other night when the dogs were taking me for a pre-bedtime walk I marveled at how I could have read a book by the light of the moon.
“By the light of the moon” is a funny colloquialism. Truly the moon produces no light, it merely reflects a great light – the sun. While our side of this good earth turns from the sun, the moon reflects the sunlight that is shining on the other side of the world.
I found the difference between the truths and message of hope between the two leaders to be very much like the difference between that noon-day sun in the dessert and even the brightest moonlight that you could read under. One is simply a fuller source.
Looking at B16’s message, it is amazing the layers of Incarnational, Trinitarian and salvation truth/light that are woven seamlessly together. The Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of salvation, the trinity, the incarnation are all there. Why Jesus was – Son of the Father, Word made Flesh, Salvation of the Universe, historic reality, Judge of nations, Oblation of peace. It is all there implicitly and explicitly. His message is that of a reminder of these truths, a reminder to keep our end before us, as we recall Who came and Why and what in turn is expected of us and then WHY it is expected. “In the twilight of our days on earth, when we are about to die, we shall be judged on the basis of our similarity to the child whose birth shall occur in the plain grotto in Bethlehem since it is He who is the God-given standard by which humanity shall live. ” True bright shining sunlight like noonday in the Sahara.
The KJS text is not false. It is not heretical. It is not in error. There is much truth to it, but in stark comparison and contrast, this sort of writing is vague. There is much to it, but the greater Truth is richer still. It is true inasmuch as it reflects great Truth, but it is moonlight.
1 Comment | Anglican and Episcopal, Benedict XVI, Pope, Christmas, Creeds, Mainline Protestant | Permalink
Posted by asimplesinner
Mormonism
December 9, 2007“What exactly is a stake center?”
LDS Research Page – More Information
The Catholic Response tothe Mormon Missionaries
Introduction
First in a series of presentations on the Catholic Response to the Mormon Missionaries
Discussion 1
The Plan of Our Heavenly Father
Discussion 2
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Discussion 3
The Restoration
Discussion 4
Eternal Progression
Discussion 5
Living a Christ-Like Life
Discussion 6
Membership in the Kingdom
Summary
Last in a series of presentations on the Catholic Response to the Mormon Missionaries
4 Comments | Apologetics, Converts and Conversion, Creeds, Ecumenism, Mormon | Tagged: Mormon, Mormonism | Permalink
Posted by asimplesinner
12 Myths Every Catholic Should Be Able To Expose
November 24, 2007
Here are 12 myths every Catholic should be able to expose.How many can you answer?
- Christianity is no better than any other faith. All religions lead to God.
- Why should I believe the Bible? The Old and New Testaments contradict each other countless times.
- I don’t need to confess my sins to a priest. I can go straight to God.
- People’s memories of their past lives prove that reincarnation is true…and that the Christian view of Heaven and Hell is not.
- Properly interpreted, the Bible does not condemn homosexuality.
- If the Church truly followed Jesus, they’d sell their lavish art, property, and architecture, and give the money to the poor.
- Catholics should follow their conscience in all things…whether it’s abortion, birth control, or women’s ordination.
- Dissent is actually a good thing, since we should all keep our minds open to new ideas.
- There’s no such thing as absolute truth. What’s true for you may not be true for me.
- I don’t need to go to Church. As long as I’m a good person, that’s all that really matters.
- Natural Family Planning is just the Catholic version of birth control.
- Someone can be pro-choice and Catholic at the same time.
[For ANSWERS from Crisis magazine's editor, Deal Hudson, click here.]
Leave a Comment » | Abortion, Apologetics, Creeds, Ecumenism, Education, Evangelization, Marriage, Natural Family Planning, Pro-Life Issues | Permalink
Posted by asimplesinner
Add This Site To Your Bookmarks – Father Larry Richards
October 29, 2007Father Larry Richards
http://www.thereasonforourhope.org/
FREE CDs ($1 shipping donation requested) available at: http://www.catholicity.com/cds/confession.html Given the sampling offered here, it would be a dollar well spent. Get 2 – we all have a friend or neighbor that could use a copy themselves.
3 Comments | Apologetics, Creeds, Education, Evangelization | Permalink
Posted by asimplesinner
No Apologies: "Uncreated Being" & "Prime Mover"
October 24, 2007
Leave a Comment » | Apologetics, Creeds, Education, Mary, Blessed Virgin | Permalink
Posted by asimplesinner
Fra Joseph Explains Mary Is The New Eve
October 16, 2007Fra Joseph explains Mary is the New Eve
Leave a Comment » | Apologetics, Catholic, General, Creeds, Education, Mary, Blessed Virgin | Permalink
Posted by asimplesinner
A Question About Reciting Creeds
June 9, 2007I was reading this article on Titus One Nine about an Anglican bishop who does not believe in the miracle of the Virgin birth. Now, I am not sure whether he recites the Nicene Creed weekly, or if he bothers to recite the part that mentions Mary being a virgin, but it raised a question in mind, which is:
Why would you recite a creed that you do not believe in, and in some cases, openly teach against?
Remember, a creed is a statement of belief. Traditionally, it is a statement that all Christians within a particular denomination are expected to believe. Of course, modernism has muddied these waters, and there exist many reasons why a person can recite a statement of belief but not actually believe what he is reciting. Some of these reasons for saying one thing and believing another are rooted in faith and submission, while others seem to be disingenuous.
It is common knowledge that many pastors and leaders in the mainline Protestant denominations publicly deny major Christian creedal beliefs (including the virgin birth, resurrection, and Trinity), although I am sure some Catholic leaders do the same thing. Why would church leaders recite a creed that affirms the very ideas they deny? Note that I am not referring to casual doubters here, but church leaders who, by their position, are expected to teach and defend the creeds. Also, I am not referring to individuals who have moments of doubt, ignorance, or weakness, but folks who have given these issues enough thought to have theological and philosophical arguments against classic Christian doctrines. And yet, many of these individuals still recite the creeds, and still remain leaders in denominations that are supposed to be based on the creeds.
As I write this, I think there are two genuine options in the case of those who cannot honestly recite a creed: either face/work through personal doubts (perhaps even over time) and, through faith, submit to the teachings of the creed in question, or join a church/organization that does not adhere to the particular creed that you cannot affirm. Related to the latter, I think many folks say the creed while doubting, faithfully seeking the Church’s guidance through the doubt, seeking the gift of faith amidst unbelief. I think this is a genuine option, one that recognizes the importance of submission to Christ and His Church, while facing what comes naturally to man: doubt. This, in my opinion, is different than being a church leader and openly denying/teaching against the beliefs contained in the creeds. I think if a person reaches a point where he proudly, openly, and publicly denies creedal beliefs, the latter option (finding another church) is more genuine.
I remember being driven batty by this issue when I was in seminary. That a future minister could trash a classic Christian doctrine in class and then affirm the doctrine by reciting the creed during worship irked me. However, I did meet some students who recognized the disconnect between what they believed and were expected to affirm in the creeds. One lady became Episcopalian because, even though she quit believing in doctrines like Jesus’ deity or his birth from a virgin, she liked singing in the local Episcopal parish choir. Even though I think that this is a poor reason to join a church, I will give her credit on one point: she did not recite the creeds because she didn’t accept their content.
So, what do you think? Is it genuine to recite a statement of belief and not believe what you are saying?
3 Comments | Creeds | Permalink
Posted by David Bennett
