Ep. 10 - The Nicene Creed Explained

IntroductionWelcome back to Good Distinctions! Before we begin, I want to invite you to consider contributing financially to Good Distinctions. Good distinctions are the spice of life, and Teresa and I are enjoying producing content, finding good distinctions, igniting conversation, and inviting you all to do likewise! In order to continue, we need your help. Consider becoming a paid subscriber and show your support for as little as $5/month by clicking subscribe at gooddistinctions.comIn today’s episode, we will take a quick walk through the Nicene Creed to examine what Catholics believe! Of course, the Catechism of the Catholic Church does a much better job than I will do here. And there are books that provide an even deeper dive. My goal here is to provide a 30,000 foot view of the Nicene Creed, the Symbol of Faith. The Creed has been referred to from ancient times as a Symbolon. The Greek word Symbolon means to “throw together” - the Creeds, as Symbols of Faith - draw the followers of Christ together in like belief. Scott Hahn, in his book on the Creed, refers to the recitation of the Nicene Creed at Holy Mass during the Liturgy of the Word as analogous to receiving Holy Communion during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In our public recitation of belief, we identify ourselves boldly as Christians in union with those around us and all those who have come before. The Niceno-Constantinopolitan CreedThe Nicene Creed, technically called the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, is professed every Sunday at Mass in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church. In the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church and in our separated Orthodox brethren, this same Creed is professed in its original formulation.The only difference between the Creed of the East and West is the later addition of the phrase “and the Son” to the paragraph on the procession of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, this disagreement has caused great difficulty and division between Eastern and Western Christianity.The Nicene Creed arose from the first two ecumenical councils of the Church. The first ecumenical council is the First Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. and the second is the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D. This Creed is ancient and it has preserved the faithful from a variety of heresies for over 1,600 years. To understand it is to understand what we believe as Catholics.Walking through the CreedLet’s take a quick walk through the Creed and try to understand it a bit more in depth. Of course, each word in the phrase is packed with meaning and endless depth. Truly, the reality of our Faith is that we are diving into the mysteries of an infinite God. So, there is always more to learn.Paragraph 1 – God the FatherI believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.We believe in one God in three Persons. We do not believe in three gods. Our one God is not only our king and Lord, He is our Heavenly Father. We are His adopted son or daughter through Baptism. He created everything that we can see, but He also created all the things that we cannot see. For example, we believe in the angels, in our own souls, and in demons. God is Lord over all of it and has all might. Even though He is tremendously powerful, our God and Father draws us into a relationship with Him and invites us to share eternal blessedness in another invisible reality: Heaven.Paragraph 2 – The Lord JesusI believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity is the Word of God, the Son of God. This Word of God, Jesus Christ, proceeds from the Fathe