Creedal Christianity: Celebrating Nicaea – Page 13

A Creed of Three Strands: The Function of the Nicene Creed from an Interdisciplinary Perspective

Creeds in general, and the Nicene Creed in particular, answer the ontological longings within mankind. To argue this, I will first take an interdisciplinary overview to situate anthropology, virtue, theology, culture, and creeds. This section is largely synthetic. Research has revealed the threefold dimensions of the heart: cognition, affection, and volition (Pierre). The theological virtues … Read more

The Ontological Argument of the Church Based on the Missio Trinitas

When one first positions the Great Commission in the framework of the Missio Trinitas, then one can accurately discuss the missional, ontological argument for the church. When the church neglects the Missio Trinitas when considering the Great Commission, it can lead to a lack of doxological motivation for the Great Commission, illiteracy of the Triune … Read more

Creedal Epistemology and the Shape of Story: A Response to Evolutionary Narrative Theory

Why do stories resonate so deeply and universally? Evolutionary theorists like Brian Boyd argue that narrative structures emerged through natural selection, serving pragmatic social functions rather than conveying truth. This paper argues that such accounts suppress the truth of divine revelation and ultimately fail to account for the intelligibility, moral coherence, and transcendental quality of … Read more

The Trinity Who Is There: Comparing the Trinitarian Apologetics of Francis A. Schaeffer and E.

While there have been ample apologetic responses to objections of the doctrine of the Trinity, few in recent years have sought to undergird their the apologetic approach with a robust understanding of the Trinity as communicated in Scripture. To help bring insight into this area of apologetics, two apologists who lived during the twentieth century … Read more

“Mary the Mother of God (Theotokos)?”: A Critical Evaluation of Chalcedon’s Affirmation

The Chalcedonian Creed (451) has been considered the most authoritative and most ecumenical creed of the Christian movement throughout the world. For this very reason, theologians, especially evangelical theologians, have been reluctant to deal critically with the Chalcedonian Creed. However, this is not the right attitude for evangelicals who are committed to the principle of … Read more

“Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins?”: A Critical Evaluation of Nicene Creed’s Affirmation

The Nicene Creed has been considered the most authoritative and most ecumenical creed within the global Christian movement. For this very reason, theologians, especially evangelical theologians, have been reluctant to deal critically with the Nicene Creed. However, this is not the right attitude for evangelicals who are committed to the principle of sola scriptura. We … Read more

Creedal Christianity through HIndu Eyes

Creedal Christianity through Hindu Eyes Timothy C. Tennent, PhD Professor and Chair of Methodist Divinity, Missions and World Christianity, Beeson Divinity School Why this paper submission fits into the ETS 2025 Theme of Creedal Christianity In The Story of Creeds and Confessions Donald Fairbairn and Ryan Reeves have made a convincing case that there is … Read more

Luther’s Interpretation of 1–2 Kings and 2 Chronicles and Its Theological Connection to Nicaea

This study analyzed how Martin Luther interpreted the reforming kings in 1-2 Kings and 2 Chronicles and determined that his understanding of biblical reform aligned with the theological objective of the First council of Nicaea. This corresponded with the efforts of the reforming kings to eradicate idolatry, restore temple worship, and re-establish the law. Luther did not interpret the narratives of … Read more

Paradox Sensu Strictissimo: Kierkegaard on Jesus being God and Man

At the council of Nicea, the orthodox position defined Jesus Christ as “true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father . . . who for us humans and for our salvation descended and became incarnate, becoming human.” While squashing the controversy of Arianism, a new conundrum was clearly stated: … Read more

The Father, Son, and Spirit in Clement of Alexandria’s Musical-Liturgical Settings

Over a century before the first Council of Nicaea, Clement of Alexandria (c. 150 – c. 215 AD) employed hymnic poetry and musical imagery to impart teachings about the Father, Son, and Spirit. Describing Clement’s musical objectives in the Protrepticus, Andreas Kramarz observes, “The actual singing of Christian hymns is the most natural and proper … Read more