Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Not just for knowing

It is probably the teacher in me that makes books like this one so appealing. I was always looking for readings that could explain an unfamiliar subject clearly, briefly, and systematically. That was a purpose Stott's Basic Christianity served for me. Creed: Connect to the Basic Essentials of Historic Christian Faith looks like that kind of book. One of the reviewers at Amazon describes the content:
.... The primary argument of the book is that contemporary Christians need to rediscover the historic foundations of the Christian faith by revisiting the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments. Bevins reminds us, "The Apostles' Creed addresses the doctrinal foundation, the Ten Commandments address the ethical foundation, and the Lord's Prayer addresses the spiritual foundation. When the doctrinal, ethical, and spiritual dimensions are woven together, they offer us a balanced model for the Christian life. These three summarize the heart of Christianity and offer us a glimpse of the Christian faith as a whole."

Bevins also reminds us that doctrine matters and is an essential part of Christian faith. He says, "Christian doctrine is not just for knowing, but for living." These three essentials found in the the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments are important tools for Christians everywhere regardless of their background. ....
I bought the Kindle version of Creed. Bevins begins his introduction with a quotation from Robert Webber
Early Christian teaching is simple and uncluttered; it cuts through the complexities of culturized Christianity and allows what is primary and essential to surface.
That is a promising beginning. Later in the introduction Bevins writes:
Christianity wasn't invented yesterday and the church is much larger than one denomination or nationality. These three standards — the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments — have been used as a sturdy foundation for discipleship and doctrine for nearly two thousand years. If they were essential for the early generation of believers, shouldn't they be important to us as well? Why should we reinvent the wheel?
Amazon.com: Creed: Connect to the Basic Essentials of Historic Christian Faith (9781617471476): Winfield Bevins: Books

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