Ministry in a Multi-Cultural and Unchurched Society

Session 9 Creedal Theology as Blueprint for Discipleship and Leadership Equipping Disciples in a Multi-Cultural, Unchurched Society

“Creed” derives from the Latin credo , “I believe.” The form is active, denoting not just a body of beliefs but confession of faith. This faith is trust: not “I believe that” (though this is included) but “I believe in.” It is also individual; creeds may take the plural form of “we believe,” but the term itself comes from the first person singular of the Latin: “I believe.”

~ G.W. Bromiley. “Creed.” Elwell’s Evangelical Dictionary Software . 1998-99.

• How do we who minister cross-culturally find a theological base that can allow us to be true to our tradition, and yet remain in sync with the scriptures and what the Lord is doing in other dimensions of the church? • What should serve as the biblical and theological plumbline that we use as we make and equip disciples in different cultures and people groups?

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I. What Is the Biblical Basis for Creedal Theology?

A. Creeds in the technical sense are not present in the Bible, but creeds do mean to express essential biblical data and truth.

B. Creedal forms in the Scriptures

1. The Shema of the OT (Deut. 6.4-9)

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