EFCA Theology Podcast Nicaea and the Nicene Creed: 1700th Anniversary, Pt. 1 – Dr. Donald Fairbairn (2025 EFCA Theology Preconference)
Feb 13, 2025
Join Dr. Donald Fairbairn, a scholar of early Christian theology, as he delves into the historical and theological significance of the Nicene Creed. He discusses why Protestants often view creeds with suspicion and clarifies their role as expressions of trust rather than mere lists of doctrines. Fairbairn highlights the Creed's biblical roots, its development from baptismal formulas, and its response to early theological crises like Arianism. Discover how this foundational statement of faith emphasizes God's initiative in salvation with profound implications for worship.
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Creed Serves Scripture, Not Replaces It
- Donald Fairbairn says the Nicene Creed matters in a middle, not ultimate, way because it is profoundly scriptural.
- He argues the Creed can make us more faithful to Scripture rather than undermining it.
Creeds Are Pledges, Not Detailed Confessions
- Fairbairn distinguishes creeds from confessions: creeds answer 'In whom do you trust?', not 'What do you believe?'.
- He emphasizes creeds function as pledges of allegiance in worship, not comprehensive doctrinal manuals.
Frame Creed Recitation As Trust
- Begin creed recitation in worship by asking, "In whom do you believe?" rather than "What do you believe?".
- Doing so frames the creed as a confession of trust and allegiance rather than an intellectual test.