Statement of Beliefs

Anytime I start reading a new author, I want to know where they land on the big issues. I do not land tidily in any denomination’s theology. I do believe the Nicene Creed’s simple statement of faith:

I believe in God the Father, All-mighty maker of heaven and maker of earth, of things visible and invisible.

I believe 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 I 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.

I believe in one holy church.
      One baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
      The resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come.

In the words of Rich Mullin’s song – Creed – “I did not make it, no, it is making me. It is the very truth of God, not the invention of any man.”