Construct-a-creed

As part of a service in May 2004, we communally constructed our own creed based on the traditional Nicene creed in the following way. Four pieces of paper were sent round the room. Each phrase of the traditional creed was read out, and the people holding the paper rephrased it in their own words. Then the paper was passed on, with the writing folded over so the next person could not see it. Each revised chunk of the creed was therefore completely individual, uninfluenced by the others. But when you weave them together, they make a whole (well, ok, several...). Which sentences would you put together to be most poetic, inspiring, or challenging?

Original:

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

What was written at Visions:

From the beginning of time to now and always we believe, and trust in the all being all holy Father, Spirit, Lord Jesus, maker of all that we can and cannot see.

We believe in God, the perfect Parent, sculptor of our universe, its colours and light, immensity and invisibility.

So much of our individual lives and co-existence with others remains unseen – especially when it comes to the bond of love, how can you find that – well by finding God.

Even though we cannot see Him, we believe in the great, wondrous Almighty God, who created us. Just as he put everything together, he sustains everything in his right hand, and nothing can exist without him.

My summary of that:

Even though we cannot see God, we believe in God. God is the perfect Parent, who created us and all that we can and cannot see.

Original:

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man.

What was written at Visions:

We believe in the always one

born, but not made

son of God

the re-creator

born of God, in the undefiled womb

who became human for us.

We know Jesus, part of God, co-creator with the Almighty, and we believe in him. He became human, like us and with us. This was his purpose.

One God, one Spirit, came down from heaven to save us from death in the form of man.

We believe that Jesus Christ is Lord who was begotten by the Father, and out of the Father’s and Son’s great love for us came down to our level by the power of the Holy Spirit and obedience of Mary. He gave himself for us and is our Saviour.

My summary:

We believe in Jesus Christ the Lord, the Son of God. For us he became human by the power of the Holy Spirit and the obedience of Mary, and lived like us and with us.

Original:

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures.

What was written at Visions:

Because of us the Christ was cruelly killed. Because of us his body was placed in the ground. But he came back to life! (only 3 days later). He told us he would. It was written.

He died to set us free

He died a painful, total, death

At our hands.

Yet even that did not stop him

3 days later, he tore down the barrier

of life and death, and crossed

back again to fullness of life.

It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming

The world couldn’t deal with Jesus’ goodness, so we killed him – this is something that actually happened, a historical event, and it was the fulfilment of God’s word to humanity in former ages.

My summary:

Because of us He died a painful, total death. But that did not stop Him – 3 days later he came back to fullness of life. This was the fulfilment of God’s word to humanity.

Original:

he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

What was written at Visions:

Christ will come to make all things OK, and proclaim a kingdom without walls – no more divisions or crying or disunity.

Someday everything that is broken will become fixed – all will be well.

Jesus, you will have the last say, you will bring justice and peace for ever and ever.

Jesus returned to his Father in heaven.

He will rule forever and return to judge us all.

My summary:

Jesus returned to His Father in heaven. He will come again to bring justice and peace for ever and ever.

Original:

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

What was written at Visions:

We believe in the enabling one

The spirit of God and of Jesus, bringing light and holiness and God’s word to us

At Visions we do the Spirit’s work by speaking words of life and words of hope to our world, more important though than what we say is letting the Spirit speak – by allowing the Spirit to proceed.

And then there is God’s supernatural spirit

The one that imparts breath into us

Who is sent out from God (father and son)

But with them is worshipped whilst he’s out!

Busy making prophets speak truth.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, God-giving-Life!

Who dances with the Father and the Son, who speaks in dreams, visions and the lips of prophets.

My summary:

We believe in the enabling one, the Spirit of God and of Jesus. The Spirit speaks to us in dreams, visions and by the lips of prophets.

We worship God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Original:

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

What was written at Visions:

We believe in a Holy, Apostolic Universal church that Christ is present in and that is.

We look forward to the resurrection of the dead and living eternally with God in heaven.

-

We are part of one family catholic and apostolic, we are brought to baptism one way, and light of the world – Jesus when he comes again. One God one life amen.

We believe we are all in this together, saint and sinner, making up the body of Christ. Our rituals together are important, and together we await God’s final paradise.

My summary:

We are part of one family, the church, that Christ is present in. Our rituals together are important. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead and living eternally with God in heaven.

The Construct – a – Creed

Even though we cannot see God, we believe in God. God is the perfect Parent, who created us and all that we can and cannot see.

We believe in Jesus Christ the Lord, the Son of God. For us he became human by the power of the Holy Spirit and the obedience of Mary, and lived like us and with us.

Because of us Jesus died a painful, total death. But that did not stop Him – 3 days later he came back to fullness of life. This was the fulfilment of God’s word to humanity.

Jesus returned to His Father in heaven. He will come again to bring justice and peace for ever and ever.

We believe in the enabling one, the Spirit of God and of Jesus. The Spirit speaks to us in dreams, visions and by the lips of prophets. We worship God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

We are part of one family, the church, that Christ is present in. Our rituals together are important. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead and living eternally with God in heaven.