The great creeds, when they refer to Jesus, pass directly…
““The great creeds, when they refer to Jesus, pass directly from his virgin birth to his suffering and death. The four gospels don’t. Or, to put it the other way around, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all seem to think it’s hugely important that they tell us a great deal about what Jesus did between the time of his birth and the time of his death. In particular, they tell us about what we might call his kingdom-inaugurating work: the deeds and words that declared that God’s kingdom was coming then and there, in some sense or other, on earth as in heaven. They tell us a great deal about that; but the great creeds don’t.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The creeds focus on core events of Jesus, while the Gospels detail his earthly ministry and kingdom work.
In simple terms: Creeds summarize; Gospels expand.
Key Takeaway
Study both for fuller understanding.
Themes
theology
history
scripture
Mood
scholarly
inquisitive
Type
theological
educational
When to use this quote
- church teaching
- Bible study
- seminary courses
- faith formation
Key Concepts
Christology
kingdom theology
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the kingdom work mean today?
- How do creeds shape belief?
A Different Perspective
Creeds may oversimplify complex narratives.