One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church: Are We Missing Something?

(image credit: pixabay)

This year marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, and the Evangelical Theological Society is wisely taking advantage of the moment by allowing such to be this year's theme. If you need some historical details regarding the significance of Nicaea check out this LINK.

The Nicene Creed traces its initial formulation to the Council in 325 AD, but its final expression was established 56 years later at the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. Both the Greek and Latin Church subscribed to the creed. However, because the Latin Church insisted on the inclusion of "and the Son" (i.e., "filioque" clause) as related to the procedure of the Holy Spirit, the Eastern Orthodox Church does not subscribe to it in total.

We believe in one God,

      the Father almighty,

      maker of heaven and earth,

      of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

      the only Son of God,

      begotten from the Father before all ages,

      God from God,

      Light from Light,

      true God from true God,

      begotten, not made;

      of the same essence as the Father.

      Through him all things were made.

      For us and for our salvation

           he came down from heaven;

           he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,

           and was made human.

           He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;

           he suffered and was buried.

           The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.

           He ascended to heaven

           and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

           He will come again with glory

           to judge the living and the dead.

           His kingdom will never end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit,

      the Lord, the giver of life.

      He proceeds from the Father and the Son,

      and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.

      He spoke through the prophets.

      We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.

      We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

      We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,

      and to life in the world to come. Amen.

Many presentations and discussions at ETS will revolve around the clause "one holy catholic and apostolic church."

Yet, few to none, when addressing "apostolic," will note the sent--and sending--nature of the Church. Thousands of words will be committed to the apostolic teaching passed on to the saints. Debates will be conducted about the orthodox apostolic doctrine. But, little to no attention will be devoted to sending teams to the unreached to communicate that faith once for all delivered to the saints.

I may be wrong. I hope I am wrong. But I think my prediction will come to pass. If books, articles, sermons, and previous presentations are the best predictor of future behavior, then we will likely continue to miss this important aspect of ecclesiology.

And, if such comes to pass, we should ask how it is possible for scholars to discuss this adjective and only focus on the Church established among believers.

November is three months away. We'll see.

Until then, the five billion remain.