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Power of the Creed
“This mystery is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). What does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ? To be a Christian? Is it attending church? Memorizing scripture? Fighting culture wars? Doing good things? Or is there something more? What if believing in Jesus Christ meant identifying with him? What if it meant sharing in his birth, dying in his death, and rising with him to a new and glorious way of life? Christianity may not mean these things today, but once upon a time, it did. The first Christians didn’t just go to church, or read the Bible, or vote for a particular political party. They lived the life of Jesus Christ before an unbelieving world—and their world changed because they changed. Now it’s your turn. The hope of the gospel is that Christ can be formed in you and live through you, transforming both you and your world. In Power of the Creed , find out how through a fresh encounter with one of Christianity’s oldest and best-kept secrets—the Nicene Creed. Whether you grew up reciting the Creed in church or have never heard it before, you will be empowered to live your faith, rise above temptation, and shine with the very image of Christ through this transformative book.
- GenresDiscipleship
208 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 13, 2020
A Nicene Creed is not something most Christians repeat these days. I would be surprised if life long Christians even know what the Creed is. In his book Power fo the Creed, Mark Nauroth reminds the reader of the ancient text, and how this manifest continues to have relevance today.
The Nicene Creed was compiled in the year 325, approximately twelve years after Christianity was legalized in the Roman empire. Some argue that Constantine, the convert ruler of Rome, convened this ecumenical meeting of religious leaders. The emerging Christian identity was still forming; therefore it was being influenced by other cultures and religions.
The Church Father's believed they needed to develop a statement of belief that would unite this emerging religion. "The church needed an elevator pitch. Hence, the Nicene Creed." Out of this meeting, a four-paragraph statement (revised again in 381) was created. The statement, formulated in the Bithynian city of Nicaea (now Turkey), not only summarized the Christian faith but adopted as a form of liturgy, often recited from memory during worship.
Nauorth provides a solid overview of the history and development of the Creed. He doesn't overwell the reader with academic hyperbole but instead stays focused on his thesis - to reinvigorate the reader with the spiritual power of the Creed. The writer approach is to take essential phrases of the Creed, and creates a book chapter, delving more in-depth to help explain the theology behind the sentiment. His writing is informative, mixed with a gentle pastor nudge, encouraging the reader to look deeply at their own life, and be aware that they too can transform by digesting the ancient text. For example, in Chapter 7, Nauroth urges the reader who is experiencing moments of shame and regret to "stick with it. Remain connected to the source of life…" (97).
The heart of the book is found in Chapter 9. The author thoughtfully reveals the plan of salvation through the phrase, "Born of a Virgin." Nauroth carefully and articulately convey God's plan - always emphasizing the burden on the Creator. He never shifts the blame or responsibility to the human, but rather, allows the reader to feel an immense sense of relief, "It has been said that, 'we contribute nothing to our salvation except the sin that made it necessary'" (122).
He introduces a profound concept that heaven was in collaboration with humanity for the salvation story to succeed. "Salvation wouldn't be possible without a contribution from one of our own - a young woman, in and through whom the Word became flesh" (122). It is observations like that provide a glorious understanding of how the Nicene Creed revealed God's grace to the early church.
Nauroth believes that the same message that centered the early church is still essential to today's modern church. Throughout the book, the author implores the reader to accept and be nourished by the Creed. He explains that he has memorized the Creed, and now recites it regularly. In a personal story, he shares the first words his newborn son heard was the Nicene Creed. His hope for his son and the reader is to feel the power that Christians long before experienced.
This book is written with clarity. The author writes vulnerably, expressing a pastoral understanding of the Creed. The intent of this book is not limited to the historical perspective of the Creed, but driven by a pastoral hope that the reader's life will be changed. Grade A
**Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
The Nicene Creed was compiled in the year 325, approximately twelve years after Christianity was legalized in the Roman empire. Some argue that Constantine, the convert ruler of Rome, convened this ecumenical meeting of religious leaders. The emerging Christian identity was still forming; therefore it was being influenced by other cultures and religions.
The Church Father's believed they needed to develop a statement of belief that would unite this emerging religion. "The church needed an elevator pitch. Hence, the Nicene Creed." Out of this meeting, a four-paragraph statement (revised again in 381) was created. The statement, formulated in the Bithynian city of Nicaea (now Turkey), not only summarized the Christian faith but adopted as a form of liturgy, often recited from memory during worship.
Nauorth provides a solid overview of the history and development of the Creed. He doesn't overwell the reader with academic hyperbole but instead stays focused on his thesis - to reinvigorate the reader with the spiritual power of the Creed. The writer approach is to take essential phrases of the Creed, and creates a book chapter, delving more in-depth to help explain the theology behind the sentiment. His writing is informative, mixed with a gentle pastor nudge, encouraging the reader to look deeply at their own life, and be aware that they too can transform by digesting the ancient text. For example, in Chapter 7, Nauroth urges the reader who is experiencing moments of shame and regret to "stick with it. Remain connected to the source of life…" (97).
The heart of the book is found in Chapter 9. The author thoughtfully reveals the plan of salvation through the phrase, "Born of a Virgin." Nauroth carefully and articulately convey God's plan - always emphasizing the burden on the Creator. He never shifts the blame or responsibility to the human, but rather, allows the reader to feel an immense sense of relief, "It has been said that, 'we contribute nothing to our salvation except the sin that made it necessary'" (122).
He introduces a profound concept that heaven was in collaboration with humanity for the salvation story to succeed. "Salvation wouldn't be possible without a contribution from one of our own - a young woman, in and through whom the Word became flesh" (122). It is observations like that provide a glorious understanding of how the Nicene Creed revealed God's grace to the early church.
Nauroth believes that the same message that centered the early church is still essential to today's modern church. Throughout the book, the author implores the reader to accept and be nourished by the Creed. He explains that he has memorized the Creed, and now recites it regularly. In a personal story, he shares the first words his newborn son heard was the Nicene Creed. His hope for his son and the reader is to feel the power that Christians long before experienced.
This book is written with clarity. The author writes vulnerably, expressing a pastoral understanding of the Creed. The intent of this book is not limited to the historical perspective of the Creed, but driven by a pastoral hope that the reader's life will be changed. Grade A
**Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
July 9, 2020
The subtitle was "THESE ANCIENT TRUTHS WILL CHANGE YOU and YOUR WORLD." Well, probably not, but it was a pleasant read. This book read for me like a Sunday school class: Slightly instructive but more "preachy" than educational. Mark Nauroth does a nice job of giving some general background and history to the Nicene Creed but there are some better scholars who have written on this that I would look to as more authoritative on this subject. This would be a good book for someone who has never had any instruction or teaching about the creeds and looking for a gentle explanation on how to apply it to their life. I am going back through and reading the book as a devotional rather than instruction on the Creed itself. For me, it's a bit too evangelical but the author's intent to teach about a very powerful and foundational piece of Christian writing is greatly appreciated and understood. I don't think it will change my life but it's an easy read that makes me reflect on the meaning of the words that we say each Sunday or in our daily prayers. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter are awesome.
I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
March 12, 2025
Reading this thanks to TB, convinced me to memorize the Creed! Hopefully, by the end of this month.
August 25, 2020
title: Power of the Creed
author: Mark Nauroth
publisher: Worldview Guys Media
date: 2019
What does it mean to 'believe' in Jesus Christ?
To be a 'Christian'?
Is it attending church? Memorizing Scripture?
Fighting culture wars?
Doing good things?
Or is there something more?
What if believing in Jesus Christ meant identifying with him?
What if it meant sharing in his birth, dying in his death, and rising with him to a new and glorious way of life?
Christianity may not mean this today, but once upon a time, it did. The first Christians didn’t just go to church, or read the Bible, or vote for a particular political party. They lived the life of Jesus Christ before an unbelieving world—and their world changed because they changed.
In Power of the Creed, Mark Nauroth, reminds us that the hope of the gospel is that Christ can be formed in you and live through you, transforming both you and your world.
Mark leads us into a fresh encounter with the Nicene Creed. I did not grow up reciting the Creed, nor am I part of a liturgical church. But I am increasingly encouraged and challenged by the Creeds in my personal reflections.
Mark gives some helpful historical background to the Creed and then unpacks each phrase of the Creed in a helpful way.
If you have never spent much time reflecting on the wisdom of those who wrote the Creed, this is a good place to begin. It will encourage you. It will connect you with the larger family of faith. It will save you from the falsehood that the only good stuff has been written in our lifetime.
#PowerOfTheCreed
A review copy was provided by speakeasy.
All opinions are my own
author: Mark Nauroth
publisher: Worldview Guys Media
date: 2019
What does it mean to 'believe' in Jesus Christ?
To be a 'Christian'?
Is it attending church? Memorizing Scripture?
Fighting culture wars?
Doing good things?
Or is there something more?
What if believing in Jesus Christ meant identifying with him?
What if it meant sharing in his birth, dying in his death, and rising with him to a new and glorious way of life?
Christianity may not mean this today, but once upon a time, it did. The first Christians didn’t just go to church, or read the Bible, or vote for a particular political party. They lived the life of Jesus Christ before an unbelieving world—and their world changed because they changed.
In Power of the Creed, Mark Nauroth, reminds us that the hope of the gospel is that Christ can be formed in you and live through you, transforming both you and your world.
Mark leads us into a fresh encounter with the Nicene Creed. I did not grow up reciting the Creed, nor am I part of a liturgical church. But I am increasingly encouraged and challenged by the Creeds in my personal reflections.
Mark gives some helpful historical background to the Creed and then unpacks each phrase of the Creed in a helpful way.
If you have never spent much time reflecting on the wisdom of those who wrote the Creed, this is a good place to begin. It will encourage you. It will connect you with the larger family of faith. It will save you from the falsehood that the only good stuff has been written in our lifetime.
#PowerOfTheCreed
A review copy was provided by speakeasy.
All opinions are my own
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews