The Nicene Creed: An Introduction
by Phillip Cary
DETAILS: Publisher: Lexham Press Publication Date: March 29, 2023 Format: Hardcover Length: 211 pg. Read Date: April 9-16, 2023
What’s The Nicene Creed About?
The subtitle says it’s an introduction to the Creed, and that’s the best way to describe it. Cary breaks the Creed down line by line—subdividing many of the lines to bite-size pieces.
Once in those pieces, Cary takes a variety of approaches—sometimes it’s a commentary on that part of the Creed, sometimes it’s historical background, sometimes it’s a point of grammar about the translation (or the text). Each chapter is short, clear, and to the point—most of all, they’re helpful for the reader to better understand the Creed.
Epilogue
The Epilogue presents “The Trinity in Simple Terms”—it’s the bare bones of the doctrines, drawing upon Augustine, in seven simple points.
I heard Cary give this on a podcast episode recently (calling it something like “Teaching the Trinity in Under Two Minutes”, and it’s a great way to present this material.
So, what did I think about The Nicene Creed?
On the one hand, I can be really brief here—this is a fantastic introduction to the Creed and/or some of the doctrines taught by it. In many cases, it’ll be a review of ideas—but even in those cases, Cary will likely shed a different light on it, or make you think about the idea in a way you’re not used to.
There’s a temptation to go in-depth on various chapters or sections—but I’m going to resist it for a variety of reasons.
This can be a quick and breezy read. It’s a mistake to let Cary’s simple and straightforward text let you read quickly—because there’s a lot to think about and reflect on here. Even if—especially if, actually—you recite the Creed on a regular or frequent basis every Lord’s Day. This is a great way to stop and meditate on these essential truths of the Christian faith.
Now, each section could easily be 2-3 times as long, and I’d read it—but I can see why Cary made the choice he did (but, I’m just saying, if someone wanted him to give a longer introduction, there’s at least one buyer out there)
Cary’s a trustworthy guide through this Creed, and I heartily encourage you to follow him through it.
Allyson Johnson
Like you, probably, I recited the Nicene Creed every Sunday, after having been encouraged (forcefully) to memorize it in Sunday School. It didn’t really come alive for me until I went to Turkey some years back and visited Nicea (now known as Izmir.
It took my breath away to find myself in a place described in the Bible, or attached to a historical event so remote it seems mythical. At this place people argued and struggled to define what Christianity really meant. People lived and died according to what was worked out at this spot, inside this building. It was real. It is real.
HCNewton
oh, wow…that’s a fantastic experience!!