The Rhythm of the Creed

A fairly common question I get asked as a parish priest is, “Why did the Episcopal Church get rid of the Apostles’ Creed?” When I get this question, I know that the person must have memories of worshipping in the Episcopal Church prior to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The ’79 Prayer Bookmade Holy Eucharist the primary worship service for Sundays. And with that service came the recitation of Nicene Creed. So where did the Apostles’ Creed go? 

Nowhere. If we follow the Anglican tradition of praying the Daily Office (Morning and Evening Prayer), we end up saying the Apostles’ Creed 14 times a week! So while it is no longer the Creed that we say in worship on Sundays, it can still be a part of our daily practice of prayer.

One thing I love about the Apostles’ Creed is it’s rhythmic value. It comes immediately after the daily scripture readings. And those readings change every day, based on the lectionary. Sometimes the readings inspire, encourage, or challenge me. Sometimes they don’t. On those days when the readings don’t have an impact on me (due to my own wandering of mind), the Creed is always there to get me back “on the beat” so to speak. The rhythm of the Office resumes.

The Apostles’ Creed is also, in my opinion, much easier to say than the Nicene Creed. The phrases are more succinct and flow off the tongue in a more rhythmic way. The last part of the Creed exemplifies this rhythmic language:

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

The holy catholic Church,

The communion of saints,

The forgiveness of sins

The resurrection of the body,

And the life everlasting. Amen.

 Along with the obvious doctrinal value, the poetic value cannot be overlooked. By the time the “Amen” comes at the end, I always feel like I am grounded in a rhythm that is ancient, deep, and penetrating. The Apostles’ Creed is alive and well. And for that I am grateful.

Pax,

Richard+