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Affirming the Apostles’ Creed
The Apostles’ Creed is the oldest, most beautiful succinct summary of Christian beliefs. Though often recited in unison during worship services, the creed begins with the phrase "I believe," making it a deeply personal profession of faith. But when was the last time you examined it closely?
In Affirming the Apostles’ Creed, an excerpt from Growing in Christ, noted Bible scholar and author Packer explains the meaning and implications of each phrase of this great creed. Each concise chapter serves as an invitation to dive further into the creed—and as a result, into the essentials of the Christian faith—by concluding with discussion questions and Bible passages for further study.
In Affirming the Apostles’ Creed, an excerpt from Growing in Christ, noted Bible scholar and author Packer explains the meaning and implications of each phrase of this great creed. Each concise chapter serves as an invitation to dive further into the creed—and as a result, into the essentials of the Christian faith—by concluding with discussion questions and Bible passages for further study.
160 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2008
127 people are currently reading
582 people want to read
About the author
J.I. Packer
446 books926 followersWhat do J. I. Packer, Billy Graham and Richard John Neuhaus have in common? Each was recently named by TIME magazine as among the 25 most influential evangelicals in America.
Dr. Packer, the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College, was hailed by TIME as “a doctrinal Solomon” among Protestants. “Mediating debates on everything from a particular Bible translation to the acceptability of free-flowing Pentecostal spirituality, Packer helps unify a community [evangelicalism] that could easily fall victim to its internal tensions.”
Knowing God, Dr. Packer’s seminal 1973 work, was lauded as a book which articulated shared beliefs for members of diverse denominations; the TIME profile quotes Michael Cromartie of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington as saying, “conservative Methodists and Presbyterians and Baptists could all look to [Knowing God] and say, ‘This sums it all up for us.’”
In a similar tribute to Dr. Packer almost ten years ago, American theologian Mark Noll wrote in Christianity Today that, “Packer’s ability to address immensely important subjects in crisp, succinct sentences is one of the reasons why, both as an author and speaker, he has played such an important role among American evangelicals for four decades.”
For over 25 years Regent College students have been privileged to study under Dr. Packer’s clear and lucid teaching, and our faculty, staff and students celebrate the international recognition he rightly receives as a leading Christian thinker and teacher.
(https://www.regent-college.edu/facult...)
Dr. Packer, the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College, was hailed by TIME as “a doctrinal Solomon” among Protestants. “Mediating debates on everything from a particular Bible translation to the acceptability of free-flowing Pentecostal spirituality, Packer helps unify a community [evangelicalism] that could easily fall victim to its internal tensions.”
Knowing God, Dr. Packer’s seminal 1973 work, was lauded as a book which articulated shared beliefs for members of diverse denominations; the TIME profile quotes Michael Cromartie of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington as saying, “conservative Methodists and Presbyterians and Baptists could all look to [Knowing God] and say, ‘This sums it all up for us.’”
In a similar tribute to Dr. Packer almost ten years ago, American theologian Mark Noll wrote in Christianity Today that, “Packer’s ability to address immensely important subjects in crisp, succinct sentences is one of the reasons why, both as an author and speaker, he has played such an important role among American evangelicals for four decades.”
For over 25 years Regent College students have been privileged to study under Dr. Packer’s clear and lucid teaching, and our faculty, staff and students celebrate the international recognition he rightly receives as a leading Christian thinker and teacher.
(https://www.regent-college.edu/facult...)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 7, 2023
Packer will remain a gem in all of his works because he was able to provide deep intellectual thought while remaining pastoral. This short book is a clear example of his brilliance. If you are looking for a devotional through the Creed, this is the book.
March 19, 2021
Packer was an exemplary evangelical--full of pious vigor and lacking in polemical venom. This book represents (in part) what Evangelicalism could be again, if only it could be free itself from anti-intellectual culture wars and idolatrous politics. It could be free to retrieve the riches of Tradition (the Apostles' Creed being the tip of the iceberg) through the norming lens of Scripture and for the sake of compassionate and affirming worship and mission. Taking a step towards Packer's gentle disposition and liturgical curiosity, well exemplified in this book, may be a step backwards in time, but it'd also be a step forward in witness.
November 3, 2024
Concise. Insightful. Orthodox. Who knew that these three concepts would be so hard to come by from books on the Apostles’ Creed. Great primer but a little too short.
October 29, 2024
This short book is a wonderful walk through the Apostles' Creed, phrase by phrase. I read the book in preparation for a teaching series on the Creed, and I am quite certain I will refer back to the book for ideas, categories, lists, and teaching points. Very helpful, as Packer always is!
December 2, 2024
Reading J.I. Packer and being blessed with simple, clear, orthodox teaching is about as predictable as anything in my reading life.
December 29, 2024
Packer is able to express in a sentence what would take me a paragraph to say
May 28, 2025
Another great little book on the Apostles Creed. I loved how he showed the gospel in every part of the creed. With it being so short, it left me wanting more because Packer’s content was gold.
February 28, 2018
Short Review: I finally made it through the whole (short) book on my third attempt. I picked this up free on kindle 9 years ago. I started it once because I was looking for a book to discuss the Apostles Creed in a small group and while this has small group discussion questions and probably would make a good small group discussion book, I wanted a more ecumenical approach and ultimately went with a video series, which was more ecumenical but not really any better in content.
I appreciate Packer, but I always find the tone of his writing too grumpy, even when I agree with the theology. And theologically he is much more Reformed than I am. So I will continue to appreciate Packer for the way he has influenced many that I respect but I probably won't pick up any more of his books (this is the fourth of his that I have read I believe.)
This is an introduction to the Apostles Creed, but it approaches the Apostles Creed as a Reformed catechism, not an ecumenical document. I always look to historic creeds as a reminder of how small my stream of Christianity within historic Christianity. But Packer approaches this not as a ecumenical document but more as a document that affirms that Reformed theology is historic Christianity. And that is just not how I approach it, nor is it a helpful approach in my mind.
I appreciate Packer, but I always find the tone of his writing too grumpy, even when I agree with the theology. And theologically he is much more Reformed than I am. So I will continue to appreciate Packer for the way he has influenced many that I respect but I probably won't pick up any more of his books (this is the fourth of his that I have read I believe.)
This is an introduction to the Apostles Creed, but it approaches the Apostles Creed as a Reformed catechism, not an ecumenical document. I always look to historic creeds as a reminder of how small my stream of Christianity within historic Christianity. But Packer approaches this not as a ecumenical document but more as a document that affirms that Reformed theology is historic Christianity. And that is just not how I approach it, nor is it a helpful approach in my mind.
December 4, 2015
Short, quite objective, well written. It is not a full exposition such as Olevianus’ or Witsius’ (which are also available for free in English translations from the Latin and Dutch originals in Archive.org and Google Books, for reading in tablets), but still a good foretaste to further studies. Also some good bibliographical tips.
I wish he could have developed better such important points as the ‘communion of saints’, which barely gets a paragraph.
A note on a general tendence on Christian literature: lots of Biblical references, but few quotes. Instead, the book was fattened up with extracts from the text decorated in between paragraphs. The book would be more useful and easier to read if instead of these extracts all Biblical references were given with full text quotes.
I wish he could have developed better such important points as the ‘communion of saints’, which barely gets a paragraph.
A note on a general tendence on Christian literature: lots of Biblical references, but few quotes. Instead, the book was fattened up with extracts from the text decorated in between paragraphs. The book would be more useful and easier to read if instead of these extracts all Biblical references were given with full text quotes.
April 2, 2024
I loved this short, little guide to the Apostles' Creed from Packer and published by Crossway. Maybe not the definitive work on the subject, but I would contend the definitive introduction to the Apostles' Creed. Crisp, succinct, the book packs a punch in the 4-5 pages per line of the creed. The scripture references and questions to ponder add a nice punctuation mark to each chapter.
For something so familiar - I feel confident I could recite the creed upside down with half my brain tied behind my back - it was nice to slow down and consider what it means to profess something so simple as "I believe in God" and why that is important, and at different times throughout the creed, unique. Recommended for those exploring the Christian faith or even for those who have recited the creed hundreds or thousands of times but want to think more about 'what does this mean?' or 'why?'.
For something so familiar - I feel confident I could recite the creed upside down with half my brain tied behind my back - it was nice to slow down and consider what it means to profess something so simple as "I believe in God" and why that is important, and at different times throughout the creed, unique. Recommended for those exploring the Christian faith or even for those who have recited the creed hundreds or thousands of times but want to think more about 'what does this mean?' or 'why?'.
June 3, 2025
I’ve read this book at least twice now and there’s just a lot to be said for packer’s ability to make deep truths both accessible and concise. Returning to it again to help others get a firmer grasp on the timeless creed of our faith.
January 26, 2021
One mark of a skilled writer is in their economy of language. Another is the skill with which they paint vivid word pictures to describe ideas. Packer is a master at both in this short treatise/ devotional about the Apostle’s Creed and why it is critical to understanding our common faith.
November 25, 2022
For such a short and simple book, this is incredibly deep and delightful. Taking you through each sentence in the Apostles' Creed, Packer unpacks (sorry for the pun!) their theological and pastoral applications.
I am amazed at how much he could explain in such a short book.
I am amazed at how much he could explain in such a short book.
December 1, 2024
Concise and punchy. Discussion questions provided for individual and group reads.
January 5, 2012
Great exploration of the gospel as found in the Apostles' Creed. Pakcer's goal is to bring us past simplistic "ABC" presentations of the gospel to one that includes realities like the Father's creative work, the believer's relationship to the church, and the work of the Holy Spirit, to name a few. Short, easily digestible chapters. The book had a great Introduction added (it was published originally as part of another book "Growing in Christ", also "I Want to Be a Christian", which included parts on the Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer), but could have stood the addition of a conclusion to wrap things up.
October 24, 2009
It was free on Kindle so I downloaded it -- it was much better than I thought and very inspiring. The book basically takes the Apostle's creed and discusses each of the affirmations of the creed. I really enjoyed reading it, and it is formatted to support a study group -- which would be a nice group to hold. They had a description of free will that I particularly liked the perspective on.
December 15, 2016
A great little book giving foundational evidences to our Apostles Creed. Perfect for personal reading or devotion, and some great discussion questions at the end of every chapter.
September 26, 2021
Foundational Faith
The Apostles’ Creed, in one variation or another, should be familiar to any Christian who has attended worship service with any regularity, or Sunday School (or Catechism) as a child. Almost as much as the Lord’s Prayer, it is committed to memory and easily recited by many Christians. It should be, because it speaks to the most essential and foundational elements of Christian belief. But rote familiarity is not the same as understanding or espousal, and both understanding and espousal are necessary for it truly to be creedal to a Christian.
J. I. Packer’s Affirming the Apostles’ Creed deconstructs the familiar verses and explains origins and meaning behind them. Coming from a Protestant viewpoint, he also explains some of the differences between the Protestant and Roman Catholic interpretations. Verse by verse, the explanations are sometimes logical and unsurprising, but at other times very revealing or unfamiliar. It’s an easy read, not a plodding theological tome, and worth the time spent.
The Apostles’ Creed, in one variation or another, should be familiar to any Christian who has attended worship service with any regularity, or Sunday School (or Catechism) as a child. Almost as much as the Lord’s Prayer, it is committed to memory and easily recited by many Christians. It should be, because it speaks to the most essential and foundational elements of Christian belief. But rote familiarity is not the same as understanding or espousal, and both understanding and espousal are necessary for it truly to be creedal to a Christian.
J. I. Packer’s Affirming the Apostles’ Creed deconstructs the familiar verses and explains origins and meaning behind them. Coming from a Protestant viewpoint, he also explains some of the differences between the Protestant and Roman Catholic interpretations. Verse by verse, the explanations are sometimes logical and unsurprising, but at other times very revealing or unfamiliar. It’s an easy read, not a plodding theological tome, and worth the time spent.
April 1, 2025
Studied the Apostle's Creed with some friends in a discipleship group. The book reviews the creed line-by-line and provides some explanation and Scriptural references to them. It helps both non-believers and believers gain a better understanding on the core concepts of Christianity, digger deeper into common terms we often throw around (i.e. forgiveness, sin, hell, belief). This book was a great jumping point for discussions, and it made sure the gospel was discussed every time. I particularly liked the chapters on Jesus' birth, death, resurrection, and ascension because of how each chapter focused on one aspect of Jesus' work on earth. The book's content is not super in-depth and can be learned online, but it made for an accessible and stimulating book to study with others.
September 27, 2017
Good, simple, clear study of the Apostles' Creed by J. I. Packer
He breaks the Creed into smaller units even that just each line; so instead one chapter on, "I Believe in God the father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth," there is a chapter on 1) what it means to believe, and another on 2) Believing in a particular God, another on 3) The Fatherhood of God, another on 4) The Almightiness of God, and another on 5) Creator of Heaven and Earth. That continues throughout the study of the AC.
He discusses all these things well, but it does make the book relatively thorough in its treatment of the Apostles' Creed. Not cumbersome, just full.
Recommended.
He breaks the Creed into smaller units even that just each line; so instead one chapter on, "I Believe in God the father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth," there is a chapter on 1) what it means to believe, and another on 2) Believing in a particular God, another on 3) The Fatherhood of God, another on 4) The Almightiness of God, and another on 5) Creator of Heaven and Earth. That continues throughout the study of the AC.
He discusses all these things well, but it does make the book relatively thorough in its treatment of the Apostles' Creed. Not cumbersome, just full.
Recommended.
June 22, 2020
B
J. I. Packer's "Affirming the Apostles' Creed" is a must-read for every Christian!
Have you found your thoughts wandering while reading/reciting the Apostles' Creed? Packer breaks down each phrase of the Creed into chapters: 18 (short, easy to read) chapters, totalling under 200 pages. His writing is clear and concise, and he offers Bible passages for further enhance your understanding. Each chapter contains several thought provoking questions for discussion or contemplation.
I would recommend this book to adults for individual or small-group discussion, and to teens in a small-group setting with an adult facilitator.
J. I. Packer's "Affirming the Apostles' Creed" is a must-read for every Christian!
Have you found your thoughts wandering while reading/reciting the Apostles' Creed? Packer breaks down each phrase of the Creed into chapters: 18 (short, easy to read) chapters, totalling under 200 pages. His writing is clear and concise, and he offers Bible passages for further enhance your understanding. Each chapter contains several thought provoking questions for discussion or contemplation.
I would recommend this book to adults for individual or small-group discussion, and to teens in a small-group setting with an adult facilitator.
March 16, 2022
I like and respect Packer, let’s just get that out of the way.
However, out the of the four books I’ve read recently on the creed (this being one them), this seemed the shallowest in terms of getting me to think deeply. Packer merely imports a typical evangelical screen of interpretation over the creed, instead of letting it breath for itself and speak of the diversity of the truly catholic (universal) church beyond the walls of evangelicalism.
I’m writing this as an evangelical, btw. If you want to be challenged in your thinking, and deepened in theological reflection, there are better books available.
However, out the of the four books I’ve read recently on the creed (this being one them), this seemed the shallowest in terms of getting me to think deeply. Packer merely imports a typical evangelical screen of interpretation over the creed, instead of letting it breath for itself and speak of the diversity of the truly catholic (universal) church beyond the walls of evangelicalism.
I’m writing this as an evangelical, btw. If you want to be challenged in your thinking, and deepened in theological reflection, there are better books available.
February 24, 2025
An in depth, yet approachable and practical walkthrough of the apostles creed. Packer does a fantastic job breaking the creed down in a basic and informative way. "The belief" is a simple creed that anyone interested in God's redemptive story of the Bible should read. The purpose of knowledge is to apply it to life. This book provides a curious person with the basics of Christian belief that can be applied to daily life with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- and how to share that life & knowledge with others.
January 3, 2018
In studying to teach a series on the Apostle’s Creed I ran into this very helpful book. It is a great introduction to each of the topics taught in the Apostle’s Creed. It is also written, much like Packer’s other books, very pastorally. I found him forcing me to examine my own life and whether or not I truly believed and obeyed what was found in the Creed.
December 17, 2022
This is a short read appropriate for people relatively new to the Apostles' Creed. Dr. Packer does his normal stellar job of explaining things clearly and simply. He takes each phrase and provides solid Biblical evidence for what the phrase means and why it is important.
I was hoping for a bit more meat, but that wasn't the purpose of the book.
I was hoping for a bit more meat, but that wasn't the purpose of the book.
November 28, 2017
Great Overview of Basic Christian Belief
This is a quick read that will help you have an overview of Christian theology down through the ages. Packer keeps it simple and brief. If you want more, see his Concise Theology.
This is a quick read that will help you have an overview of Christian theology down through the ages. Packer keeps it simple and brief. If you want more, see his Concise Theology.
December 25, 2017
Apostle’s Creed
J. I. Packer is simply brilliant. In a culture that has while attempting to simplify the gospel have lost the gospel. Packer points you back to the depth and richness of the gospel through exploring the Apostle’s Creed
J. I. Packer is simply brilliant. In a culture that has while attempting to simplify the gospel have lost the gospel. Packer points you back to the depth and richness of the gospel through exploring the Apostle’s Creed
May 27, 2018
A quick, easy read that details the Apostles' Creed. This would be great for a new Christian to learn the basics of the faith. It would also be good for the seasoned Christian to refresh the faith in their mind.
July 21, 2019
The book is insightful, breaking sown the creed into everyday language. In this way, the creed becomes your own declaration.
Warning: the Apostle Paul has nothing on Packer with paragraphical sentences!
This is an enriching, informative, and encouraging read.
Warning: the Apostle Paul has nothing on Packer with paragraphical sentences!
This is an enriching, informative, and encouraging read.
November 4, 2020
A wonderful point-by-point explanation of the Apostle's Creed. Excellent for personal devotion or a class on what it means to be a Christian, either for those investigating the faith or those for whom the faith is a long-time reality.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews