So forgiveness pre-requires understanding the mistakes of the past? here hear re this opposing this me-first, America-first, white-first, male-first approach>…
Weekly lessons in theology and public life • Since 2011
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Lesson 1: What is a Creed?
Read MORE: Lesson 1: What is a Creed?Before we examine the Apostles’ Creed, we had better remember the roles creeds play in the Church. Obviously, the first is to state what an individual believes. “Credo” is “I believe.” That is not to claim the creed summarizes a…
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Lesson 2: The Almighty is Father
Read MORE: Lesson 2: The Almighty is FatherTo confess “I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth” is to take a significant position in the modern world. One way to highlight this is to consider the implications in light of Pope Francis’ “Laudato…
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Lesson 3: Creator of Heaven and Earth
Read MORE: Lesson 3: Creator of Heaven and EarthThe second observation we should make is that the creed speaks of the creation of heaven and earth. These few words make some significant points. First, God creates place. Perhaps the central point of Francis’ encyclical is that the earth…
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Lesson 4: All Creation is Interrelated
Read MORE: Lesson 4: All Creation is InterrelatedWhen we confess belief in a loving God who creates everything good, we acknowledge all things are unique and interrelated. Francis’ encyclical puts it this way in #86. “We understand better the importance and meaning of each creature if we…
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Lesson 5: Is Jesus Special? How?
Read MORE: Lesson 5: Is Jesus Special? How?Creeds are not complete statements of what we believe. For the most part, they state positions the Church has taken on controversial issues. You see that easily when you examine the second article. It skips from Jesus’ birth to his…
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Lesson 6: Jesus Suffered
Read MORE: Lesson 6: Jesus SufferedThe next portion of the second article also emphasizes Jesus was a human with all of our limitations. “He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried”. There is nothing make believe here. Jesus dies. And before he…
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Lesson 7: Descended into Hell
Read MORE: Lesson 7: Descended into HellA close examination of this phrase can help us gain some perspective on what is involved in using a 2000 year-old creed. When I was young, I thought it meant I had to believe in hell. That made me uncomfortable…
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Lesson 8: Resurrection is Hope
Read MORE: Lesson 8: Resurrection is HopeMost of us can’t help ourselves when we speak the last part of the Second Article, “On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come…
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Lesson 9: Alive In The Spirit
Read MORE: Lesson 9: Alive In The SpiritChristians believe the Risen Christ is still among us. The Creed lists several ways this takes place in its third article that describes the work of the Holy Spirit. Whereas the Old Testament claims that Spirit filled certain leaders, the…
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Lesson 10: The Forgiveness of Sin
Read MORE: Lesson 10: The Forgiveness of SinAt first, it might seem strange that belief in the forgiveness of sins appears so prominently in the Creed. Sin is not a popular topic in the modern world. To acknowledge a mistake is a sign of weakness. A failure…
Recent Comments
An extremely timely topic. Thanks, Fritz!
yes we need to forgive our leaders yet make sure they do the right thing – which they aren’t.