The Core Statements

30.06.2009

The Nicene Creed:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, the only-begotten, born of the Father before all ages. Light of light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father, through whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and Mary the Virgin, and became man. He was also crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And He rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures. And He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory, to judge the living and the dead, and of His kingdom there will be no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I profess one baptism for the remission of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead; and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed:

(1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
(2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
(3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
(4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
(5) He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.
(6) He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
(7) He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
(8) I believe in the Holy Spirit,
(9) the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
(10) the forgiveness of sins,
(11) the resurrection of the body,
(12) and the life everlasting.
Amen.

Stating them is a manner of standing in the world, a way of thinking about our condition as human beings. Stating therefore is not simply saying. It implies interpretation and reflection on our part.

The Christian Divide

02.06.2009

Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, writes in the foreword to Timothy Radcliffe’s wonderful Why Go to Church?:

It is a great delight to be able to introduce the work of one of the most lively and creative preachers of the gospel in the Roman Catholic Church today; and I hope that these pages will remind us that, whatever tensions and unfinished business still lie between the historic churches, the basic commitment is one and the same.[1]

This is a good sign. It is an acknowledgement of a common ground, a realisation that what divides us is less than what unites us. It is a good sign, but we, Christians, have to be more vigourous in our contribution. Dialogue and convergence can only be achieved through our daily effort. A long road lies in front of us, but we must walk along it and come together again.

_____________________

[1] Rowan Williams, “Foreword”, in Timothy Radcliffe, Why Go to Church?: The Drama of the Eucharist (New York: Continuum, 2008), x.