This creed is named after
Athanasius (A.D. 293-373), the champion of orthodoxy against Arian attacks on
the doctrine of the trinity. Although Athanasius did not write this creed and it
is improperly named after him, the name persists because until the seventeenth
century it was commonly ascribed to him. It is not from Greek (Eastern), but
from Latin (Western) origin, and is not recognized by the Eastern Orthodox
Church today. Apart from the opening and closing sentences, this creed consists
of two parts, the first setting forth the orthodox doctrine of the trinity, and
the second dealing chiefly with the incarnation and the two-natures doctrine.
This creed, though more explicit and advanced theologically than the
Apostles' and the Nicene creeds, does not posses their simplicity, spontaneity
and majesty.
The translation above was adopted by the CRC Synod of 1988 and accepted by the
CRCA Synod of 1991.
Whoever desires to be saved should above all hold to the catholic faith.
Anyone who does not keep it whole and unbroken will doubtless perish eternally.
Now this is the catholic faith:
That we worship one God in trinity and the trinity in unity,
neither blending their persons
nor dividing their essence.
For the person of the Father is a distinct person,
the person of the Son is another,
and that of the Holy Spirit still another.
But the divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one,
their glory equal, their majesty coeternal.
What quality the Father has, the Son has, and the Holy Spirit has.
The Father is uncreated,
the Son is uncreated,
the Holy Spirit is uncreated.
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