At WFPC, my Sunday-morning adult-ed class is designed as an ongoing conversation around the idea of living as intentional disciples of Jesus. I depend on the faith, the Bible-study, the honesty, the insight, the shared experiences, the observations, and the collective spiritual acumen of the participants to move the lessons from interesting to inspirational – and I am never disappointed.

This month, we started a study of the historical creeds, confessions, and catechisms that have been adopted by the Presbyterian Church over the centuries. Two weeks ago we looked at the Apostle’s Creed (160-180); last Sunday it was the Nicene Creed (325), and this coming weekend we plan to talk about the Scots Confession (1560).

WORK IN PROGRESS: Along the way, I have asked the class to begin to work on their personal declarations of faith. “If you were asked to summarize what was essential to your understanding of Christian belief,” I asked, “and if you were limited to just one or two paragraphs, what would you say? Not a paraphrase of one of the great creeds, but from the depths of your own heart, and study, and understanding?”

It’s a great question. So this morning, as part of my preparation for this weekend’s class, I am thinking-out-loud about how I would tackle my own assignment.

• For me, it all begins with the understanding that we are created beings, made in the image of God, and that my ultimate meaning – our ultimate meaning – is bound in that fact.
• I’d go on to say that I believe the Creator loves me, and – equally – every single human being; and that God loves in a way I can only describe as similar to the way I love my own children (but far beyond the limitations).
• I believe that the Creator is also far greater than the parameters of human thought, or language, or powers of description, or the limitations of our capacity to understand or describe; but – at the same time – I accept that God is completely capable of revealing God’s self to me in ways that I can grasp onto and have confidence in.
• I believe that God went to – that God still goes to – extraordinary lengths to reach us, to invite us – invite me – into a restored relationship. I believe that Jesus came to pave the way, to open the door, and to make the introductions.
• I believe that Jesus opened a door that only one who is blameless had the capacity to open; that Jesus came to actually be the gate, the bridge, the passage, the way, the portal, the means of redemption; that Jesus is the way, the truth, the life, and the light; and that Jesus redefines what it means to live.
• I believe that Jesus did more than come back to life, Jesus was resurrected forward into a new kind of life, the life that we are invited to live as disciples, as followers of The Way.
• I believe that Salvation means to participate in the good work that God is up to, and that such a privilege will continue when this mortal life comes to an end.
• I believe that God sent the Holy Spirit to be my ally, to empower me in this new life, and to constantly invite me into fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• I believe that it is not only my opportunity, but my responsibility – our responsibility – to live a victorious life, a life-charged life; to live like I mean it, and in such a way that my life tells the truth about the Gospel of Love, simply by being.

I understand that this personal credo is limited, and unpolished, but – like me – it is a work in progress. I’d like to know if this resonates with you, and what some of your essentials are? I certainly plan to revisit this topic in the future.

In love, and because of love – DEREK