To Creed or not to Creed... Is that even a question?

My second week of seminary, I was asked to write a paper - Are the creeds a necessary and beneficial component of Christian faith and formation or are they a detriment?

What? Is that even a question?

I discovered, the first of many times, that it is very difficult for me to spot ideas counter to those beliefs I hold to be self evident. Are the creeds necessary? My Christian formation was as a traditional Methodist, mainstream protestant. The Apostle's and Nicean Creeds are part of my DNA.

The creeds are the statement of faith of the Christian church. They define our common beliefs as the framework of our doctrines, our unifying statements. We Christians will debate many things amongst ourselves, within the bounds of the creeds. Those truths we hold to be self evident and scripturally defined. The creed is my truth.

I am an engineer by training. Formulas are key to solving the most complex problems and finding order in chaos. I am aware that my more sophisticated and articulate associates may view my belief in one complete and undeliable truth to be unsubstantiated. I invite them to an ongoing conversation. Until then, here is what I believe:

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



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: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. 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; 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.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. 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. AMEN.

Amen - means: so be it

The prayer of Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick's Breastplate

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through the belief in the threeness,

Through the confession of the oneness

Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today

Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,

Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,

Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,

Through the strength of his descent for the Judgment Day.

I arise today

Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,

In obedience of angels,

In the service of archangels,

In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,

In prayers of patriarchs,

In predictions of prophets,

In preaching of apostles,

In faith of confessors,

In innocence of holy virgins,

In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven:

Light of sun,

Radiance of moon,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of wind,

Depth of sea,

Stability of earth,

Firmness of rock.

I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me:

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's host to save me

From snares of demons,

From temptations of vices,

From everyone who shall wish me ill,

Afar and anear,

Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,

Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,

Against incantations of false prophets,

Against black laws of pagandom

Against false laws of heretics,

Against craft of idolatry,

Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,

Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today

Against poison, against burning,

Against drowning, against wounding,

So that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right,

Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I sit down,

Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness,

Of the Creator of Creation.

The power of reaching out

Christian the lion

Answer: Under my buccan-hat

Good fortune is a matter of preparation and great timing. But, what we believe, experience and do depends on our unique perspective. I recently heard an interview with the founder of Facebook. He talked about developing the utility so college students could build community and how it had morphed into a worldwide community of millions. One of the most surprising things has been the number of people over 35 who have joined to find friends and family they lost track of.

In January, my daughter set up a Facebook for me. I was so suprised that rather quickly my friends list grew to include, not only those I talk to regularly, but family and friends I lost contact with 15, 20, even 30 years ago. These are people I have always loved and missed but didn't know how to find, and was a bit afraid wouldn't be near as interested in finding me again.

Last week, I wrote a posting called Getting Rite with God. I discussed the rites of the church and how valuable it has been to me to go through a formal and rigorous process of self examination in my decision to join the Roman Catholic church. I also said that if I had gone through such a process before my two weddings I would not have married.

Today, warming up after a long walk in a very cold, grey rain, I realized that I may have hurt someone. My first husband is a kind man who always tried to do what was best for me. Unfortunately, we met on my 19th birthday, and married six weeks later for three very rocky years. The truth is, I don't know if I would have made a different decision 30 years ago if I had been Catholic and had the structure of the church. Structure and rules have never really stopped me from anything I wanted to do.

Today, I am very different, while still being the same woman. I suppose who I am has not changed but my perspective has. Writing this blog is a much bigger exercise in self-revelation than I expected. I pray I never offend you and, if I do, I pray you know that it was unintentional. Unfortunately, as always, my truth can be a bit messy.

3rd Rock from the Sun, 1996 - Dick, the Commander, at a Halloween party, dressed as a pirate: Question: Where's your buccaneer's?

Answer: "Under my buccanhat."

It's all a matter of perspective.

And that joke has always cracked me up.

Almost seems unreal, doesn't it?

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Okay, I love the physical world. Sure, I adore ideas, spirituality. One of my favorite things in life is an original, unique idea - I live to think the thing no one has ever thought before. We spend much of this blog discussing high minded, spiritual ideas. But, at the top of my favorite things: the smell of my children's hair, a hot bubble bath, old churches, pedicures, German food, wine - not German, books, classic Adidas tennies, comfortable stilletos, beautiful fabrics... You get the idea. It's a very long list. I really appreciate being alive.

Also at the top of the things-I-can-not-miss list is any moment that there is evidence of things I can not see. I like to walk for an hour or so every day. The weather service told us to expect a cold front to arrive this afternoon, followed by rain. When I left home it was 77 degrees. Just as I was peeling off my sweater, the warm breeze shifted and the temperature dropped 15 degrees in less than a minute. A cool gust brushed in, the warmth returned and then the breeze shifted and it was in the low 60's. I loved it. Evidence of things not seen, the precise moment the cold front arrived and changed the day.

Tonight, Mom and I went to a discussion and practice of contemplative prayer at our church. Deacon Phillip skillfully introduced us to the central idea of finding a place of quiet to listen for God's guidance and find balance. Fifty or so people sat together in still, quiet reflection for 15 minutes. I felt the shift and cool breeze again and God spoke to me. (I'll save what God said for another time) What is most valuable is not the things we can see but the things we can experience: the familiar smell of those we love, the warmth of the sun, the clear, present, unmistakable knowledge that God is with us and wants only the best for each of us.

Getting Rite with God

This is me!
Accept me as I am. Please do not try to fit me into your stereotyped boxes. Do Not label me a phony because I am many people. There are many facets of my personality. I do wear masks: however, they are not all hiding masks. Some are very revealing masks, yet you may never know them all.

If you reject me or a part of me, I am hurt. However, I could change that part of me to suit you. But then that is not me, but you! Not everybody is going to like me and that is a fact hard to accept.

But if I change my life for everyone I am no one. And if you can be happy with this new me, this plastic doll that you created, who thinks your thoughts, voices your opinions and feels your feelings, then you are in love with you, not me. I cannot be happy with me: therefore I cannot be happy with you.

Anonymous - As received from Deacon Bob, Christ the Redeemer Church, 3/8/9

One of my favorite scriptures is Mark 14:48-52. It is the scene as Jesus is being arrested: “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a guerrilla? Day after day I was with you in the Temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.” All of them deserted him and fled. A young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen [cloth]. They caught hold of him, but he left the linen [cloth] and ran off naked."

I suppose the naked guy appeals to my sense of humor, irony and mystery. Today I feel like the naked guy, stripped of my masks, pretense and fancy logic. The Rites of the church serve as stepping stones and periods of self examination. Why does the Catholic church enforce a process of acceptance on converts and baptized new members?

Joining a Protestant church is a relatively simple process for the previously baptized. In my experience, one must profess a desire to join and, unsually in front of the congregation, pledge to be loyal to the demonination and support the church with prayers, presence, gifts and service. Education in the faith and further involvement in the church are encouraged and supported but left up to the individual. In general, the unbaptized meet with the pastor to discuss their desire and the meaning of baptism and then in front of witnesses is baptized.

To become Catholic one must participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. The process is marked by Rites following periods of inquiry, education, purification and enlightenment ending with confirmation and Eucharist, the sacrament of Holy Communion. http://www.olmc.org/RCIA/What%20is%20RCIA.htm It is a lifelong commitment that affirms not only spiritual and moral afilliation but also a cultural one. Much like being part of a family.

I wish I had taken the opportunity for such serious consideration and expert guidance when deciding to marry each time. I'm certain I would have made very different decisions. For this decision, I am taking the time to prayerfully consider what is right for me and what God calls me to do. The process is a gift from the church of knowledge and understanding. As with my biological family, I may not agree with everything, but I feel comfortable lovingly disagreeing and working for the good of us all.