The Power of the Creed: These Ancient Truths Will Change You and Your World, Mark Nauroth, (San Bernardino, 2019).

The Creed Gets Personal

In my theological education, as a Lutheran pastor, I have read and studied several books on the creeds—the statements of faith—of the church. Mark Nauroth’s book, Power of the Creed, is one of my favorites on the topic. There are books that argue the theological nuances of the creeds in greater detail. Others paint a broader, deeper historical picture of the creeds which enable the reader to see what forces birthed the creeds. Nauroth’s book is personal; it contains his own well researched reflections on the Nicene Creed. He writes how the creeds, specifically the Nicene Creed, has changed his life and how it can change the readers.

Nauroth caught my attention from the book’s opening words, “I believe … Not I think, I guess, or I suppose.” The creed is not conjecture, nor is it scientific fact. The creed is a statement of belief—of faith—of trust. That faith is in a spiritual being—God, as opposed to an opinion, a theory, a concept, or a philosophical assumption. With these two points, Nauroth transforms the creed from a series of doctrinal positions, to a powerful statement about God and how God interacts with God’s creation—us.

For those of us who have grown up in branches of the church that regularly use the creed, Nauroth’s words are refreshing. Nauroth is from a part of Christianity that doesn’t use the creed. This fact provides an interesting twist to the book. It is like Nauroth is seeing the creed for the very first time.  For people from a similar background, Nauroth’s comments and insights will be enlightening.

I don’t agree with everything that Nauroth writes. I don’t believe that it is necessary for me to do so in order to recommend the book. What I do appreciate is that Nauroth keeps the focus on God. His reflections on who God is and how God has chosen to interact with us enable readers to ponder how this impacts their lives on a daily basis. It is food for thought, which plants the seeds for change.

I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.