 John Calvin (1509-1564) |
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Greetings!
The Foundation provides for the ongoing study, appropriation, and explication of the historic faith and theology of the Reformed and Presbyterian Churches in our own day. Of course, the question arises from time to time as to why we should adhere to the creeds. I invite you to consider what Karl Barth has to say on the matter. |
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Not Afraid to Fight
"The only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made: who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven" (Nicene Creed, a.d. 381). There have been many complaints and murmurings over this formula and probably, sooner or later in your studies, you will come up against men of letters and even teachers, who also do the same and think it dreadful that this matter should be reduced to this formula. I should be happy to think that, when you meet such complainers, this hour at college may come back to your memory and release a tiny check in you. This inveighing against so-called "orthodoxy" is just a "wolf's snarl", which an educated man should have nothing to do with. For there is something barbaric in this scolding of the Fathers. I should think, even if one is not a Christian, one should have enough respect to realise that the problem has been described here in a grand manner. It has been said of this Nicene formula that it is not found in that form in the Bible. But there is a great deal that is true and necessary and worth knowing, which is not word for word in the Bible. The Bible is not a letter-box but the grand document of the revelation of God. This revelation is meant to speak to us with a view of our grasping it ourselves. The Church has had at all times to answer what is said in the Bible. It has had to answer in other languages than Greek or Hebrew, in other words than those that stood there. Such an answer this formula is, which proved itself when the matter was attacked. There really had to be a tussle about the iota, whether this was God Himself of a heavenly or earthly being. That was not an indifferent question. In this iota the whole of the Gospel was at stake. Either in Jesus we have to do with God or with a creature. In the history of religion there have again and again been godlike beings. When the old theology strove here unto blood, it was quite aware why.
Frequently, of course, much that was simply human was added. But that is not so momentous; even Christians are not angels. Where a might matter is involved, we must not come along, crying "Quiet, quiet, dear little one". But the strife must be inexorably carried on to a finish. I should say, Thank God that the Fathers at that time in all foolishness and weakness and with all their Greek learning were not afraid to fight.
Karl Barth, Dogmatics in Outline, translated by G. T. Thompson (New York: Philosophical Library, [1949]; reprint, New York: Harper, 1959), pp. 85-86, emphasis added.
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 Grace and Peace, |
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and is not a private foundation as defined by Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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