CREEDS by T. S. Parmelee

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 3, 1890

CREEDS.

By T. S. Parmelee

It is quite fashionable now to speak against human creeds, but do we know why? Do not some speak against them because it is becoming customary to do so in certain circles? If any reason exists why "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth," should not have a creed formulated by uninspired men, that reason ought to be known. Such a reason does exist. Every human creed is a rival of God's word, and every properly-instructed Christian must be so jealous of God's word that he will view with apprehension every attempt to formulate the truth in a human creed, even if such a creed is called a "Christian creed."

A recently-published article by Rev. J. M. Manning, D.D., on this subject, makes it necessary to notice it, though it is a pity that such a question as, "Shall we have a creed?" should be necessary, when other questions of such magnitude ought to be occupying our attention. Dr. Manning says:—

"Such creeds are a safeguard against error. Having learned them in early childhood, and knowing that they contain the substance of the gospel, we are not deceived by new forms of error constantly springing up around us. Theories claiming to be the gospel, but really opposed to it, do not mislead our minds. As good business men have their familiar tests by which they detect adulterations and counterfeits, so we have, in a Christian creed thoroughly learned and faithfully applied, a ready test by which we may distinguish all false gospels from the true."

It happens, however, that the "Christian creeds" are contradictory, so that for this reason alone, if for no other, they cannot be reliable tests, though they may be ever so thoroughly learned and faithfully applied. No wonder Christians are losing respect for "Christian creeds."

These words of the reverend doctor concerning creeds can only be true when applied to God's word. His word alone is an unerring test by which we may distinguish all false gospels from the true. To use language in recommending human creeds that is true only of God's word, is an attempt to clothe the language of uninspired men with that authority which belongs only to the words of God. Such attempts, when they succeed, put the creed in the place of God's word, and the creed-maker in the place of God. Again the doctor says: "A Christian creed embodying the essential truths of the gospel is all-important for purposes of instruction."

God's word is all-important for purposes of instruction. God's word alone embodies all the essential truths of the gospel. He alone knows how to embody his own essential truth. He has not failed, through either incompetency or neglect, leaving a work to be finished by doctors of divinity or other reverend gentlemen. Any Christian who will stop to consider the subject must know that it is impossible for uninspired men to embody all essential truth in a creed of their own construction, and that no man or body of men can attempt to do this without putting themselves in the place of God. No man can accept a human creed as "all-important for purposes of instruction" without having another god besides the Author of the Bible. Christians

should shrink from using an uninspired creed as a "ready test by which we may distinguish all false gospels from the true," just as they should shrink from idolatry, because such a test, for such a purpose, is idolatry. It is paying homage to the framers of the creed instead of to God, whose Spirit inspired men to write his word.

That spirit which would turn attention to what men believe rather than to what God has said, is not the Spirit of Christ, but it is the spirit of antichrist, that will work as perseveringly as ever in the last days. Satan will always seek to make it easy for Christians to take the first step into idolatry, and the second will, quite likely, be as easy as the first. Satan's motto seems to be, "Anything to turn the minds of men away from Christ and his word."

In every age there is a path that leads to apostasy. These paths may appear different from one another, but they all agree in this, that they lead away from the word of God. The apostle Paul foretold that apostasy would be caused by the introduction of "perverse things," by those who would "draw away disciples after them." The antidote he recommended was not "Christian creeds," but he said, "I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace." Acts 20:32.

Again Dr. Manning says: "Go into communities where such creeds are unknown, and you find but little clear and definite knowledge of religious truths. What you do find is fragmentary, superficial, inconsistent with itself."

Knowledge of truth is never inconsistent with itself, for truth itself is whole, harmonious, and consistent. Knowledge of truth may be imperfect, but it can never be inconsistent or contradictory. It can only be incomplete, or fragmentary; but it is the least so where the Bible is the most known and "Christian creeds" are the least known. "Christian creeds" have always been hindrances to reform, especially where they have been looked upon as "all-important for purposes of instruction," because all truth that does not correspond with the creed is rejected and regarded with suspicion, if not looked upon as error. Those who defend "Christian creeds," as well as those who introduce them, usually appear very pious. The doctor has sugar-coated his article with the following:—

"But for the germ of all these creeds we must come back to the words of Peter, and to the spirit of loving trust which filled his heart when he said, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' That belief in the blessed Son of God which leads you to consecrate yourself to his service, is the confession of faith which he asks at your hands."

The germ of every man-made creed is from below. Peter's creed was from above. The Saviour said to him, "Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Matt. 16:17. Every similar confession of faith is inspired. "No man can say that Christ is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." 1 Cor. 12:3.

As Satan quoted God's word when he tempted the Saviour, so men may put his word into their creeds. God's word was not the germ of Satan's temptation, neither is it the germ of any man-made creed; nor will it prevent the creed from leading away from God. "Every word of God is pure; he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." Prov. 30:5, 6.

T. S. PARMELEE.