In Defense of "Creeds"

In reviewing some proposed Sunday School material last week I came across an interesting phrase.  The publisher of one of the curricula I looked over had a statement of faith which proudly proclaimed that they followed "no creed but Christ."  As I reflected on that, I couldn't help but think that the writers probably meant one thing, but in effect were saying something quite different.  To the extent that they were saying that they followed one Lord, or one faith, I certainly agree wholeheartedly.  Unfortunately, they did not say that followed no lord but Christ.  A creed, at its simplest is a statement of faith, a doctrine that differentiates one group from another.  The very statement faith that they posted on their website was a contradiction of their proclamation that they had no creed.  To say that they follow no creed is to quite literally say that they have no beliefs about Christ.  All of the things that the Church has taught and believed about him for nearly 2,000 years- virgin birth, atonement, crucifixion, resurrection of the body, that he will return in glory at some point in the future- are in fact a creed.  To affirm no creed is tantamount to saying that there are no set doctrines that set us as Christians apart from any other faith.  The phrase, "no creed but Christ," sounds good but beyond that rings very hollow.  Going back to the first centuries of the Christian faith, creeds like the Apostle's Creed, Nicene Creed, or the much longer didache were used to teach new converts the faith.  In the case of the Nicene Creed the very words of the creed defined in the best human words possible the incomprehensible relationship between Father and Son in the Trinity.  In doing so it was a defense against the Arian Heresy, one of the most destructive in church history.
To the extent that the writers of this curriculum don't like reciting creeds in worship, that's another matter entirely.  That's a matter of worship preferences.  To prefer a very non-liturgical worship, and as such prefer not to do a creed, that's a perfectly respectable viewpoint.  In that sense it is in the same vein as preferring ancient hymns such as "Be Thou My Vision." over the the popular Darlene Zscheche praise songs or vice versa.  It's preferring guitar over organ or opting for a cappella instead of either.  As for me, I still like to hear lots of voice combine to say in unison, "I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth..." or "I belieave in Jesus Christ the Lord, the giver of life... who is of one being with the Father..."  In the midst of so much that can separate us from one another, of so many divisions within the Body of Christ, the united voices still speak powerfully to me.