Lisa Harper's Back Porch Theology Understanding the Nicene Creed: Trinity, Resurrection and Eternal Hope
Sep 29, 2025
In this discussion, Dr. Brian M. Litfin, a scholar of early Christianity and former professor, dives deep into the Nicene Creed. He highlights the unity of the Trinity and the transformative power of the resurrection. Dr. Litfin contrasts the Christian hope of resurrection with pagan despair, illustrating the victory of Christ over sin and death. Listeners will appreciate insights on how the creed remains relevant today, offering timeless guidance amid modern uncertainties and spiritual searching.
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Classroom Drama Brings Creedal Conflict To Life
- Dr. Brian M. Litfin staged a classroom scene where a student accused him of being a heretic to illustrate Arius confronting his bishop.
- The dramatization helped students feel the ancient tensions around creedal debates as real people conflicts.
Nicene Means Victory — And One Iota Mattered
- 'Nicene' ties to Nicaea, a city named for Greek Nike meaning victory, highlighting the council's claim of theological victory.
- The iota in homoousios mattered because changing one letter shifted Jesus from 'same substance' to merely 'similar'.
The Creed Anchors The True Creation Story
- The Creed begins by anchoring God as the one creator from Israel's story, rejecting pagan pantheons.
- This framing identifies Christianity's story as the true creation narrative against chaotic pagan myths.
