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THE CREEDS AND CONFESSIONS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)

Ecumenical Creeds: Ecumenical because they are the work of all the ancient churches. They represent the common root from which later confessions and creeds have grown. Since they contain the most basic articles of the Christian faith, they are an expression of the fundamental points of agreement that are shared among various Christian churches and denominations.

1. The Apostles’ Creed. By legend attributed to the original apostles, Rome. The present form cannot be verified before the sixth or seventh century, but it probably dates back to an ancient Roman baptismal creed of the second century. Used most widely in the Western or Roman churches. To read the Apostles' Creed, go here.

2. The Nicene Creed. As we recite it now, formulated at the Council of Nicea in 325 CE and was adopted in its final form at the Council of Constantinople in 381 CE. This Creed carefully defined the relationship between the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Used most widely in the Eastern Orthodox church. Primary theme: strives to clarify the orthodox understanding of the Trinitarian Nature of God. To read the Nicene Creed, go here.

Reformation Confessions: The Sixteenth Century confessions and catechisms were usually composed primarily as personal affirmations of faith. They are distinctive for their an obvious feeling of involvement between the composers and the reader.

3. The Scots Confession. Scotland, 1560, by John Knox and a commission. Clear, fresh, sweet-spirited summary of Reformed faith as held in common by Protestants of England, Switzerland, France, and Holland. Primary theme: Clearest contrast between Reformed faith and Roman Catholic doctrine.

4. The Heidelberg Catechism. Germany, 1563, by Zacharia Ursinus and Casper Olevianus. A guide intended for instruction of youth, preachers, and teachers, and for use in public worship. Most widely accepted of all Reformed confessions. Primary theme: The essential tenets of Reformed faith.

5. The Second Helvetic Confession. Switzerland, 1566, Heinrich Bullinger, a reformer from Zurich. One of the two most widely adopted of all continental Reformed confessions. A moderate summary of central affirmations. Primary theme: Contrasts Reformed Belief with Lutheran Belief.

Reformed Creed of the Seventeenth Century: written in a more impersonal, rationalistic style. they were more concerned with right thinking about ‘truth’ than with personal involvement in it. This was the era of "Protestant Orthodoxy" or "Protestant Scholasticism."

6. The Westminster Confession; along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms: 1646, came from the combined work of the Assembly called by Parliament at Westminster Cathedral in London, England, which met from 1643-1649. This Assembly was called to deal with issues raised by the Puritan Conflict. This is the most influential confessional standard in the English-speaking Reformed churches.

The emphasis of the Westminster Confession is on the doctrines of the church; the Catechisms were for the education of children and adults confirmands. Primary theme: The Sovereignty of God and our response to God.

Contemporary Creeds and Confessions

7. The Barmen Declaration: Written to contradict the nationalist ‘German Christian Party’, which was a perverted blend of historic Christianity and Nazi Nationalism. The ‘Confessing Church’ gathered in Barmen to compose this document in 1934. Primary theme: Jesus Christ is sole Head of the Church

8. The Confession of 1967: Composed by Presbyterians from the former Northern branch of American Presbyterianism, its aim was to restate the historic positions of the Reformed church in light of the secular upheavals of the 1960’s. Primary theme: Reconciliation of People in Christ.

9. A Brief Statement of Faith: Composed as part of the Re-unification process between the former United Presbyterian Church USA (Northern) and the former Presbyterian Church US (Southern) became part of the Book of Confessions in 1990 Primary theme: Nurturing commitment to Christ’s mission for the church in the world.

To read any of the Presbyterian Church USA creeds, go here.

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