The Creed as a Subversive Act

 

The Creed as a Subversive Act

Fr. Tony’s Midweek Message

February 24, 2016

In our parish Lenten discussion groups, some have raised again the issue of the Nicene Creed as a stumbling block to faith.    The discussion brought to my mind something that Marcus Borg wrote near the end of his life.  Within the context of reading the creed metaphorically and as an expression of trust and love rather than as a loyalty oath on correct opinions, he says: 

“Constantine’s agenda [in calling the Council of Nicea] was to reach agreement about the nature of Jesus, so that conflicts within Christianity would not lead to conflicts within his empire.  He seems not to have cared what the bishops concluded—only that they came to an agreement. … Like Roman Emperors before him, Constantine was hailed as divine, Son of God, and Lord.  But he was not, to use the language of the Creed, “begotten and not made.”  He was not “of one substance,” “one Being” with God.  Athanasius’s interpretation put Jesus above the emperor.  …the Nicene Creed made the status of Jesus as divine and Son of God higher than the status of the emperor.  Within a few years of Nicea, Constantine realized this and became “Arian,” that is, an advocate of the lesser status of Jesus advocated by Arius.  So did his imperial successors for much of the fourth century.  Thus a major issue at stake in the Nicene Creed is: Is Jesus above all of the lords of this world or is he among a number of lords?  The issue continues to come up for Christians today.  Is Jesus above the lords of culture or is he one allegiance among a number of allegiances?  Are we to give our allegiance to Jesus in the religious realm and our allegiance to others in the other realms of life?  Are our religious and political loyalties separate?  Or is Jesus lord of all lords?  The answer of the Nicene Creed (and the New Testament before it) is clear.  Jesus as Lord and Son of God transcends all other lords.  Given this, standing and saying the Nicene Creed is a subversive act.  Its affirmations negate the claims of other lords upon us.  God as known in Jesus is Lord, the one and only Lord.  The lords of culture—and they are many—are not.  …  Saying the creed is identifying with the community that says these words together.  The identification transcends space and time.  It is global.  Christians all around the world, in a multitude of languages, are joined together by these words.  The identification transcends time as well; present and past are joined.  When we say the creed, we identify with Christians who have said or heard these words for over fifteen hundred years.  It is a momentary participation in the communion of saints, living and dead.”  (Speaking Christian, 2011; pp. 206-209)

Grace and Peace, 

Fr. Tony+