THE NICENE CREED: A Critical History

by Lee Holz

The mislabeled Nicene Creed is not the statement of faith and list of doctrines adopted in 325 CE at the Council of Nicaea under its patron Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. Rather it is the statement and list adopted in 381 CE at the Council of Constantinople under its patron Roman Emperor Theodosius the Great. With the minor addition of three words in 1014 CE, the creed approved in 381 CE is today the official confession of faith of almost all Christian churches. This book, a history, covers the origins of the Nicece Creed and each of its many doctrines as well as questions answered in the Creed's defense in the next two centuries. In this book the author evaluates the Nicene Creed, its many doctrines and the arguments raisec against and in defense of the Creed and its doctrines for authority, authenticity and logic.

135 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2025

About the author

Lee Holz is a novelist, poet, lawyer and opera fan and eclectic reader. He lived in Europe for many years, and his travels took him to Australia and more than thirty other countries on five continents.

Lee lives on an island with his feline buddy "far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife."

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lee.Holz.Far...

Reviews

[John Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a work that should be of interest to Christian and non-Christian alike. In it, the author dissects not only the various aspects of the Creed (including what he considers is not included and should be – notably an emphasis on DEEDS), but also dives into those sections of the New Testament which are likely later inventions of those who wanted to promote the new religion of Christianity; and therefore, arguably have no part in the Creed itself. He examines the role of institutions in the promulgation of Christianity, and how some of their actions have been more about self-interest than spreading the Word of God.
This is a book of carefully-marshalled and analysed sources, and which rewards patient and careful reading. A bibliography is included for those who want to pursue the points raised in further detail.