Apostles' Creed

The story is told of a disaster that happened when two men were out sky diving. The apprentice sky diver’s parachute failed. His selfless trainer managed to reach him across the sky. The two men descended at great velocity suspended from the trainer’s parachute. Seconds before they landed the trainer moved to be underneath his apprentice and cushioned his impact at the cost of his own life. One man died in place of his colleague. He took the full impact due to him. In his crucifixion Jesus bore the impact of the consequences of the sins of all people in every age. For lo between our sins and their reward we set the passion of thy Son Our Lord (Bright) The crucifixion is to the eye of faith God's irrevocable gift of himself.  “The Son of God loved me and gave himself for me…Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by being cursed for our sake since scripture says: Anyone hanged is accursed" (Galatians 2v20b, 3v13b). Substitute, sacrifice and triumph There are se...

I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. They say faith is spelled R-I-S-K.  To believe in God is a calculated risk.  The Apostles’ Creed is part of the calculation for Christians.  We say "I believe in God" and continue in the Creed with propositions both historical and out of this world to fill out the object of our belief since believing in God as Christians means going along with the faith of the church. Belief in God is like belief in electricity. Both are invisible yet powerful realities.  Just as we do not need to fully understand electricity to benefit from switching the lights on, so we do not need to fully understand God to see our prayers answered.  We believe, St Anselm taught, so that we may understand and not vice versa. Thomas Merton added "I believe not because I want to know but because I want to be".  To believe in God opens up a vision that is transformative and helps us become what we are meant to be in co...