Should we have a confession of faith ?

"Have a model of the sound words that you have heard from me." 2 Timothy 1. 13

Two Christian friends exchanged :

- What do you think of confessions of faith and creeds ?

- On the whole, rather good ! It is a useful means of condensing the principal points of our Christian faith.

"But these are only human constructions !

- They do not have the same value as the biblical text ; But, insofar as they are faithful to him, they are not to be rejected. Paul urged Timothy to possess a "model" of his words. The Greek word used at that time was the design of a book. One could translate : "Make a summary or a summary of my teaching". Paul was not afraid to ask Timothy to synthesize his doctrine.

- Yet the Bible itself does not give us its teaching in the form of a creed !

- That is true. It presents the truth "in situation" and the merits of a systematic approach to theology is often called into question. However, the Bible itself tells us that God's thoughts are true "together" (Ps 19: 9). And whether you like it or not, whether you are conscious of it or not, you must necessarily make your little systematic theology to you. So make it seriously !

- Is there not a danger of neglecting important points ?

It is precisely one of the great virtues of the confessions of faith that we have to reflect on what is fundamental and what is secondary. The Lord Himself made this distinction (Matt 22:37, 23:23). Since we can not put everything in a document that must remain short to be usable, we must go to the core of our faith.

- But who is legitimate to write these texts ?

- We can be thankful to God for leading pious doctors to write confessions of faith, some of which make a broad consensus among Christians, such as the "symbols" of the Apostles, Nicaea or Athanasius. Afterwards, it is up to each church to look, in the light of Scripture and carefully examining what others have produced before, the points it wishes to emphasize as fundamental.

"And what are these documents going to serve ?"

- For example, they can be given to someone who returns to the church for the first time. They will also be able to benefit young converts to give a "framework" to their faith.

Source (To pleasing the Lord)