It may seem a bit odd at first to have a new series of books from InterVarsity Press that explores the words and doctrines contained in the early Christian creed commonly known as the Nicene Creed. But perhaps that strangeness alone is why a book on early Christian doctrine is so necessary at this point in our culture. As the series author, Thomas C. Oden, reminds us in the introduction, early Christians who said, “I believe” did not do so lightly. In fact, they did at risk of persecution, torture, and death. What a far cry from the watered down faith and doctrine that so many adhere here today. If knowing God matters, as every Christian claims, then doctrine matters. What one believes about God determines how they know and understand God. So it makes for almost devotional reading to come face to face with the words and thoughts of our ancient ancestors in the faith, as this book presents, and let them confront your own understanding of God.
The book is devoted to the first line of the Creed, and is divided topically into eight sections. The first is “We Believe” which deals with a wide array of content relating to belief and the Scriptures, such as the choice of Old and New Testament books, authorship of some books, thoughts on the original languages, and their reliability. The second section is “In One God” which covers a wide array of topics relating to God. Some interesting examples include why angels hide their faces from God, how God’s omniscience relates to his freedom, how God’s wrath demonstrates love, and how “God has chosen to be good.” The other sections are broken up into “The Father,” “The Almighty,” “Maker,” “Of Heaven and Earth,” “Of All That Is, Seen,” and “And Unseen.”
Each section is broken further into specific topics that relate, and the reader gets to read related quotations from the work of a whole slew of early Christians such as Augustine, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen. The editor gives a brief historical context and overview of the various sections to orient the reader, then the fun begins. Mostly brief quotations give insight into where our theological forebears stood on their understanding of the faith that Jesus Christ passed on to his Church. It is not only fun and interesting to trace some of that thought, but new insights and clarification are bound to be found even from these folks who long ago received the reward of their faith.
Reviewed by Matt Milligan
