Why Do We Have Creeds?

Basics of the Faith

by Burk Parsons

Burk Parsons insists that beliefs are important to not only know but to explain and defend. He explores our historic creeds and confessions and explains why they are desirable and necessary in our postmodern society.

Genres: Nonfiction

40 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 2012

About the author

Burk Parsons is copastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., editor of Tabletalk magazine, and vice president of publishing for Ligonier Ministries. He is author of Why Do We Have Creeds? and editor of John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology and Assured by God: Living in the Fullness of God’s Grace.

Reviews

[Michael Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief but thought-provoking and accessible for those, like me, who are not particularly academic but who are aware of the treasures various creeds represent which we have inherited. Time to claim that inheritance!

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading through this series with my kids, a small portion every day. This was very good, we all learned and had good discussion over material.

[Iola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why Do We Have Creeds is one of a series of over twenty booklets on various aspects of the Christian faith. It is only a short book (42 pages) but it contains some profound statements about the nature of belief. Parsons states that our doctrine is the basis for the way we live (whether that doctrine or belief or faith is conscious or unconscious) and that we cannot be effective Christians if we try to isolate our doctrine from our intellect.

While the basis of our faith is our relationship with God, Parsons calls the outworking of that faith 'religion' and points out that real faith, real religion affects the way we deal with others. This was an interesting idea to me, because many Christians I know take great care to point out that Christianity is a relationship, not a religion. Parsons effectively points out that one cannot exist without the other.

We all believe something (even atheists and agnostics). Our creeds are simply statements of those beliefs. Quoting C.S. Lewis and St. Paul, Parsons makes the point that while an open mind is a useful thing, as Christians we believe in an ultimate foundation, and that to be open-minded about these basics can lead us astray.

Although short, this is not simplistic. The ideas are complex, as is some of the vocabulary (thank goodness for the Kindle dictionary – except that this book is not available on Kindle and it should be). One point I would make - Parsons clearly beleives in the primacy of the Bible, which is classic Protestant theology. Those who do not agree with this may object to some of what this book says. Personally, I found it excellent.

Thanks to P&R Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

This review also appears on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why Do We Have Creeds
Burk Parsons
The pluralist society is wrong! Everyone's beliefs are not equally valid - truth is not down to who is the biggest bully! Creeds give direction, unity, and fellowship - and show the world what we believe.
This was a quick read booklet that details why and how Creeds are beneficial. The author goes into detail of how this unifies and keeps the church on their focus of Christ. Burk Parsons also makes clear they do not replace scripture but help the Believer flush out the specifics of what they believe in a brief statement. This is done every time a person defends their faith. It is challenging to summarize the entire Bible if one is not prepared to when asked on a moment’s notice and that is where creeds are most helpful. As society changes in the past and present creeds are the one thing that cannot change since the Bible does not change.
I would like to thank Net Galley and P & R Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.

[Dan Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty good arguement for the legitimacy of creeds and confessions in the church. It spends much of its time dealing with the question of how a church can believe in the sufficiency and ultimate authority of Scripture and still hold to creeds and confessions and the author does a good job of answering this, although in a booklet this length the treatment is brief. The author also handles the objection that creeds and confessions cause divisions in the church, arguing instead that they are a tool to bring about unity.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christians often claim that only the Bible has authority, yet nearly all branches of the faith ascribe to one or more creeds. Why would such statements of faith be necessary if the Bible is the primary authority? Parsons explains that creeds are, by nature, secondary to Scripture yet essential for expounding core truths of the gospel and maintaining unity around them. Parsons has crafted a succinct yet informative examination of the existence and necessity of creeds.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why Do We Have Creeds was a very short book and perhaps that's why I didn't feel like there was that much to it. Even though I didn't learn much from the read, I still liked it for what it was -- a short book on why we have creeds and the importance of them. I just wish it would have been a little more in depth.

*I received a complimentary e-copy via Netgalley for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

[Pastor Ron]

I liked the clear, concise, and cogent explanation of the subject of creeds.

[Reformedcast]

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