We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,     

the only Son of God,     

eternally begotten of the Father,     

God from God, Light from Light,     

true God from true God,    

 begotten, not made,     

consubstantial to the father      

Through him all things were made.  

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For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. 1. For us (used to be for us men - when revised?) and for our salvation.  Why was salvation necessary?  What was his salvific mission?  Were we saved from original sin, is that is?  How is this a good deal for God - Humans sin, so he sends his only Son to certain death to atone for this sin? 2. He came down from heaven - sure makes it sound geographic - we were talking in earlier episode about the ephemeral nature of heaven and that perhaps it just describes a closer state of relationship with God rather than an actual place.  What does this line in the creed help us understand. 3. By the power of hte Holy Spirit - why was HS needed to be involved?  Was it the impregnation of Mary that could only be accomplished through HS? 4. Crucified under PP - imports a modern understanding of the politics of the time, doesn’t it?  At one point, the undercurrent of lore was that the Jews were responsible.  What was the sensibility of the times in 321/385 that adopted this viewpoint? 5. He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures - which Scriptures are referred to? 6. He ascended into heaven - there it is again, a geographic reference.  Also preserved in Scripture and the Feast of the Ascension.  Why no mention of what he did in between resurrection, reappearance and ascension? 7. He will come again…judge the living and the dead.  When?  Why wait?  Is it going to be one fell swoop? 8. His kingdom will have no end - this phrase captures a lot but doesn’t describe what the kingdom will look like.  When and where do we learn about that?

Concise and packed full of meaning, the first part of the first stanza of the Creed helps us understand that God is One and gives shape to our relationship with him. 

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Why did the Church need a creed in the fourth century?  What disputes and heresies did the creed resolve?  Why do we need a creed now?

Heaven: It’s complicated. There’s no biblical geography that gets you there – it’s a relational thing about coming into closer relationship with God after your life on earth ends, How to get there? Love thy neighbor as thyself. Your further questions are welcome and invited,. Another episode may be warranted.

If you walk into an Episcopal church on a Sunday, you’ll see slow-motion aerobics as parishioners sit, stand or kneel at different parts of the service. Why do we adopt such postures at different parts of the service and how are they an integral part of worship?

How do you know if you have a calling?  Does everyone have one?  What's the difference between a career and a calling?  How do you know whether it's an authentic calling or just something your ego wants you to do?

Who's that sharp dresser on the altar, and dressed like that why?