CREEDS & CONFESSIONS: Athanasian Creed (Part 1)

THE ATHANASIAN CREED

The Athanasian Creed, also known as the Quicunque vult (from its opening words in Latin), is a Christian statement of faith traditionally attributed to Saint Athanasius (ath-ah-nay-shuss) of Alexandria.

There are two key emphases for this creed: Trinitarian Doctrine and the Incarnation of Jesus. For this post (part 1), we’ll focus on the Trinity. Keep in mind, that the word “trinity” is NOT found in the Bible. The nature of God as some kind of unique-distinct-community-of-love is expressed in the Scriptures. In my opinion, the best place this is expressed is at the baptism of Jesus where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all three active, expressed, mentioned, and separate (Matthew 3).

What does the Athanasian Creed teach?

• The creed emphasizes the co-equality and co-eternality of the three Persons of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• It asserts that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, yet there are not three gods but one God.

• Each Person is distinct but shares the same divine essence.

DEEPER INTO THE ATHANASIAN CREED

Here is a breakdown of the first part of the Athanasian Creed, focusing on its Trinitarian Doctrine:

The creed emphasizes the unity and equality of the three Persons of the Trinity. This is extremely important. Christians believe in One God and yet YHWH is unlike any Being we comprehend. YHWH is One God in Three Persons: “The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.” “And yet there are not three Gods, but one God.” “The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible.” This uniqueness is why any example we might dream up to explain Him falls woefully short (apple, egg, water-steam-ice, clover).

1 + 1 + 1 = 1

The creed also emphasizes the equal nature of each Person. Each is God. Together God. Each Person is eternal, uncreated, almighty, and fully divine. There is no hierarchy or difference in power or essence among the three Persons… yet there are differences. Make sense? Prolly not.

God is Distinct in Three Persons and if anyone is honest, this is a grand mystery. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father. While distinct in relationship and role, all are one in substance. This mystery is part of what Christians take on faith… not WHO God is (we know that!), but WHAT God is remains a mystery that we cannot comprehend.

HOW NOT TO THINK

YHWH is not three separate gods.

YHWH is not one Person who appears in different modes/roles.

Each is Divine 100%.

Each operates at the same time 100%.

1 + 1 + 1 = 1

The first part of the Athanasian Creed concludes by stressing that acknowledging the Trinity is essential for salvation. This is a bold statement along with the solid teaching about the mystery of God.

TMB