We Teach His Word, Not Ours
Every so often, I hear someone say that we need to recover the creeds in our local churches, that we need to be teaching the creeds again, reciting the creeds again, grounding the people of God in the creeds again. And I understand the instinct. I am not unthankful for the creeds. I am not pretending they do not arise in important historical contexts. I understand that they reflect significant moments in the life of the church, especially in times of controversy, confusion, and doctrinal pressure. I understand why they were written. I understand why people still find them useful. But useful is not the same thing as inspired. And historical importance is not the same thing as ecclesial obligation. That is where I want to press the issue. I do not believe the local church has an obligation to teach the creeds. I believe the local church has an obligation to teach the Scriptures. That is a very different claim. The Church Is Called to Devote Itself to the Apostles’ Teaching When ...
