[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.]
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Summary in 400 words or less:
While much diversity exists within Christendom, there is a great deal of agreement and unity over primary issues. Focusing on the unity, the three great branches of the church (Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism) agree upon the Nicene(-Constantinopolitan) Creed as a summary of truths to be affirmed to be deemed a Christian. They also partake of the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist (frequency and meaning may vary), they practice baptism as a Christian initiatory rite, and recite the Lord’s Prayer (although words and language may differ).
Some of the primary themes:
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Monotheism (one God)
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Eternally existing
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Of one substance/being
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In three persons,
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The Father, Almighty, Creator of all seen and unseen
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Jesus Christ our one Lord,
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the only or special Son of God,
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eternally begotten or of a special relationship of the Father,
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who is truly God,
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not created
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of the same being as the Father,
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through whom all things were made
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came from Heaven
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became fully and truly human (incarnate)
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of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
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Was crucified under Pontius Pilate for our sake
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died
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was buried
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rose again/was resurrected in accordance with the Scriptures
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ascended into Heaven
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is seated at the right hand of the Father
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will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead
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and his kingdom will have no end
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The Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life
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proceeding from the Father [and of the Son]
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who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified
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spoke through prophets
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one holy catholic (i.e., universal) and apostolic church
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one baptism for the forgiveness of sins
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resurrection of the dead
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life of the world to come
C. S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity” explores the universality of morality, ideas of God, Christian ethics (virtues, sexual morality, social morality, Christian marriage, forgiveness, charity, hope, and faith), and the Doctrine of the Trinity and answers some objections to Christianity.
There are plenty of areas of disagreement between Bible-believing and sincere Christians, termed “secondary issues,” although they are not unimportant — for instance, whether a congregation is self-governing (“autonomous”) or self-governing with some denominational support, or whether an external body such as a synod or other overseers or a hierarchy of overseers is supposed to have the final say. Another area of disagreement is over the last things, eschatology, whether Revelation 20 refers to a literal millennium (1000 years) or a figurative millennium and the place of a tribulation and what that looks like. The doctrine of the Trinity (unity and diversity) gives us a clue that there may be such reasonable differences.
Scripture for YouVersion:
Short audio/video:
Three questions (1 fill-in-the-blank, 1 multiple choice, and one discussion question):
References for further reading:
Lewis, Clive Staples. “Mere Christianity.” (Harper San Francisco, 2009)
Collaboration notes:
Collaborators: Chris Lee
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