Classic Christianity 101

One of the beauties of the Reformed faith is that it is self-consciously rooted in the theology of the early church, in particular, in its creeds. For example, John Calvin’s celebrated work The Institutes of the Christian Religion is an extended commentary upon the very oldest of them, the Apostles’ Creed.

This document of antiquity was not penned by the apostles, yet it sets forth in mini the Apostolic Doctrinal Universe (henceforth the ADU). Let’s fetch a cask of this finely aged theology from the cellar of church history, shall we? It is the first vintage made from the raw grape of Scripture. Take a few minutes to savor its various aromas and notes for yourself:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic [or universal] church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

It doesn’t get more classic Christianity than that.