The Use of Creeds/Confessions in our Relationship with God and His People

Jason Barnhart wrote an interesting piece on "stories" and how life is and contains so many of them. He makes the following comment in his article. I state it because I wished to relay here my response to what he says about creeds and the relational aspect of our faith. But I wish to preface this all by saying I understand that I'm pulling this quote from its context. So be sure to read the entire article, as it does contain some really good stuff.

Mr. Barnhart says,

If our lives operate in a story fashion, why has Christian faith been reduced to systematic theology, Bible memorization, affirmation of statements and a propositional witness? . . . If story is relational, why has Christianity, the revelation of Jesus Christ, in some circles been reduced to creeds and statements of faith? If Jesus is the center of Christian story, why is so much of our lives . . . proof-texting Scripture and creating theological systems in place of meeting Jesus?

My response was...

Stories are great, especially the great and grand story of redemption. The great thing about our culture is that we focus on our individual stories. The bad thing is that those individual stories are not related to the greater story of God's redemptive work.

But regarding creeds and statements of faith. . . These wonderful tools are not opposed to the relational aspect of Christianity. As a matter of fact, they help to nurture and maintain it. To relate to someone you have to know something about them. If I am going to relate to my wife, it means I have to know something about her character, work, desires, intents, etc. In other words, I have to know who she is, what she does, and what will please her.

Part of the reason creeds are formulated are for that very reason, to help us get to know and relate to the God who created us. This is part of what the 1st commandment requires: If we are going to have God as our only God, we better try to know everything we can about him.

Another reason creeds are beneficial is that they help us to formulate and articulate our faith against those who are not followers of our faith. Are we one with the Mormons? Absolutely not, since they do not accept the Trinity (a doctrine found through Systematics and articulated in our church's historical creeds).

That of course leads into another reason for creeds. They allow us to find out those with whom we fellowship (and make stories with). In other words, who is my brother? Everyone who can affirm with me the essenctial truths contained in the Bible? What are those essential truths? They are summarized quite well in the Apostle's Creed.

The church formulated the AC very early on to help in its work of discipleship. Basically, it is an elaboration on what it means to be baptized into the name of the Triune God. After thorough discipleship they would basically ask, "Do you believe in this God?" If they affirm yes, they could come into the church and find fellowship with the rest of the Lord's body.

We at our church use a creedal confession of some kind every week at our services. It shows our unity, not only among ourselves but with all saints everywhere throughout time. It is a pretty fantastic thing when you think about it: All of us affirming we have the same story (though diverse as can be in its individual telling!) and are related to the exact same saving God.

Trust me, if you study the creeds and confessions (like the Westminster Confession of Faith or the Heidelberg Catechism) you will be blown away by how much deeper your relationship with God becomes. Hey, if you want, I'll study them with you. What could be better than drawing nearer to God with another brother in the Lord?