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Unstatement of Faith

Any study of the documents, creeds, and statements of faith devised by Christian men over the Church Age, as efforts to clarify their beliefs, have had an opposite and negative effect on Christians; especially when viewed in light of the reason they were devised in the first place. Indeed! Far from achieving the end purpose - that of drawing others within the faith together under a single banner - more often than not, they have been the very tools that raise barriers and create division among those who are called to unity and oneness. However! When you think about it, the results are really quite logical, and understandable. You see! Our flesh longs for a set of rules and/or a rulebook to abide by. And, since it is usually the flesh that is active in promoting such activities, the after effects of these confessions and creeds, because they are rooted in the flesh, all too often, have had a devastating effect on the corporate side of our spiritual walk and life.

Then, there is also the pre-eminence that confessions and creeds acquire. All too soon, they tend to take on a life of their own. History has proven this time after time. Inevitably, not long after another banner has gone up, these icons of truth become the lense through which groups of believers scrutinize and interpret Scripture.

Additionally, there is always the danger of accepting something out of a man-made statement that is not actually found in Scripture. For example! Look at the Apostle's Creed. Here we have what is probably the most recognized and oft recited article of the faith. Every Sunday millions of believers accept it, and recite it, as if it was cannon. And yet! Though it has long been accepted by leaders of the faith within the Church, and is presently embraced by a majority of believers, as being in full accord with the doctrine of the Bible, when viewed in the light of God's Word, even this well recognized stalwart cannot stand. Why? Because Scripture specifically, and unequivocally, states that Jesus Christ, the Son, created the heavens and the earth (Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:12-18; Rev. 4:10-11); not the Father, as professed in this "statement of belief."

Taking yet another approach, statements of belief appear to come awfully close to adding to Scripture. Yet Deuteronomy (4:2) says "You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it." Though in a strict manner, the application is to the commands of Moses, the principle could easily be applied to all of Scripture. Also! Proverbs 30:5-6 seems very clear and inclusive. It says,"Every word of God is pure... Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you are found a liar." Even the last book of the Bible provides a final warning "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book"(Rev. 22:18). Though one could debate whether this is a reference to the whole of Scripture or simply this particular book of the Bible, the principle of not adding to Scripture seems valid, either way.

Personally, I discourage any corporate "statement of Faith." Why? First, the Scriptures ARE our statement of faith. Anything beyond them which we consider authoritative writing is going beyond the scope of God's word, and could be construed as adding to Scripture. Second, and more important, we are called to be the "living epistles of Christ" (2 Cor. 3:1-3). If we are living and abiding in Christ, walking in the spirit, following His leading, then, not only will we "know the truth" and reality of Life in Christ, but He will flow out of us, naturally - spontaneously. When this occurs, there is no need for statements or creeds.

Think about it! Read the stories and lives of saints such as George Muller, Hudson Taylor, Dwight L. Moody, Fanny Crosby, Jessie Penn-Lewis, R.C. Chapman, Anthony Norris Groves, and a host of others who lived Christ. These people had something more important than doctrinal views. Indeed! When you have an encounter with a spiritual person, there is a sense - this one KNOWS God. This is one whose spirit is before the throne. When this occurs, doctrinal issues easily pale in the face of the spiritual reality.

A dear brother in the Lord made this observation, "One's walk with God flows primarily from life and relationship rather than from mental assent to truths." Our primary goal, as Christians, should be to live out Christ, not define Him. And as we learn to do this, let us keep in mind! "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself" (Jn. 7:17). The proper order, and our first priority, should be doing His will. Having done this, . . . then, a knowledge of the doctrine will surely follow. But beware! Our natural tendency is to reverse the order.

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A man really believes - not what he recites in a creed, but rather, those things he is ready to die for!

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart" (2 Cor. 3:1-3).