Apologies for the Athanasian Creed
One time. Really, it was only one time. Now I’m branded as “that guy”.
I suppose it was about fifteen years ago. I was reading about traditions in the Lutheran Church, and I came across Trinity Sunday and the recitation of the Athanasian Creed. Now, I had never encountered that tradition, and as I was new to Hope at the time, I asked Pastor John about it. The services for that Sunday had already been planned, and it was not a tradition here, but Pastor liked the idea and asked me to remind him earlier in the season the next year. I did remind him, and he told me that he already had it in the planner for Trinity Sunday that year.
The longest of the three ecumenical creeds, the Athanasian can be quite daunting; it is part of our statement of faith. It is a long read, it is not, however War and Peace. We, at Hope, usually divide it into three smaller chunks, and spread it throughout the liturgy. Let it be known, that I’m also the guy that thinks a thirty-five minute sermon is way too short, I will own that one, gladly. The first Sunday after Pentecost is Trinity Sunday. Depending on the Church Year Calendar, Trinity Sunday can fall on other festival or celebration Sundays (like Mother’s Day or Conformation.) I will usually get a note if the creed will be rescheduled, it’s nice to be included, but really, I’m not “that guy”.
One notable occasion was five years ago: the entire sound/audio/visual/internet system went down on Trinity Sunday and Pastor Dan put together the service “on the fly.” At the time I commented that Skynet wouldn’t let Pastor Dan use the Creed… The Athanasian Creed isn’t only for Trinity Sunday, but… tradition…
For Trinity Sunday
The Athanasian Creed
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled; without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the catholic religion; to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.
Furthermore it is necessary to everlasting salvation; that he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Substance [Essence] of the Father; begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Substance [Essence] of his Mother, born in the world. Perfect God; and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father as touching his Manhood. Who although he is God and Man; yet he is not two, but one Christ. One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by assumption of the Manhood by God. One altogether; not by confusion of Substance [Essence]; but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man; so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of the God the Father Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the living and the dead. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies; And shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved.
Okay, I am that guy…
Christ’s Peace and Trust the Promises,
Steve Skiver