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Creeds, Catechisms, and Confessions

Many Christian denominations incorporate a reduction of the bible into what are considered salient “bullet points”. This approach to Christianity is often well intentioned, but can fail to consider that such a reduction instead of being helpful can actually be harmful. In school if one were assigned to write a book report on “Moby Dick” but did not have the time or interest, he could purchase a Cliff Notes description of the book and pull out key facts sufficient to give the impression of having read the book in the report he wrote.

The early church established Catechetical schools in both Alexandria and Antioch. It was probably reflexive to use the Greek method of instructing youth similar to lessons involved in copying letters to learn writing. The Greek method of instructing youth outside the home was with a view to having access to the upper crust of the city as opposed to the less important education of farmers and tradesmen.

Moses addressed the subject of instruction for children for the nation of Israel;

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7

This gives a picture of instruction being integral to daily life. It also gives a picture of parental involvement. This is more of an apprentice model of instruction than a classroom model. The classroom model of instruction can be seen as similar to programming a computer as single data points are transmitted to be retained by the student. Socrates did not want to be called a “teacher” because the implication would be that as a substitute parent, he would bear responsibility for the moral character of his students.

Morality is not so much “taught” as it is lived and copied. The parental / apprentice model of instruction is much more effective in helping a child integrate what he is taught into his daily life. This may account for so many Christians today (having only classroom instruction) not really seeing anything tangible in their religion bearing on real life other than a general admonition to not do wrong.

Another limit of the creedal approach to Christianity is that it takes the dynamic range of the bible and reduces it down to a few static declarations that imply finality and totality. This can contribute to pride and a feeling of having mastered the religion by knowing the creedal statements. From the bible we can see the answer given by Jesus at the last supper to the question, “Who will be the greatest in the kingdom”, as the action of washing the disciples feet. This can imprint a deeper appreciation of humility than a declaration that we should be humble. We should make room for God’s word to work in us rather than memorizing some guy’s abbreviation.

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. - Isaiah 55:10-11

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