Protestantism

» Brian Tubbs - Deconstructing Monotheism

The first line of the Nicene Creed reads as follows:

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible and invisible;

This is monotheism, with a masculine emphasis on God's role as Father. And it's creationism -- pretty much straight out of Genesis 1:1.

If the Nicene Creed is our guide, this is the fundamental building block of Christianity.

Comments?

p.s. I'll let debates and disagreements on the context, nature, historicity, and legitimacy of the Nicene Creed continue in the thread by that name. For the theology of the Creed, I'll start breaking out the phrases one by one in their own threads.

» Brian Tubbs - Judaism

I should also add that this was an affirmation of the Old Testament. A social scientist would say it's an acknowledgment of Christianity's roots in Judaism. However you want to put it, the early church (as evidenced by Nicea in 325) was affirming its belief in the Paternal Jehovah God of the Old Testament.

» pink101 - Judaism

In response to Judaism posted by BrianTubbs:
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There's nothing anyone can take exception to here or that anyone would see as being controversial.
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We live in times when most people, if they believe in god at all, think that one god is above all authority. It's like natural law.
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We're not discussing monotheism so much as we are looking at Christianity. Many people believe in one god--not just Christians.
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But, actually, and Migisi might have a comment to make here, Christianity supports the idea of three gods in one.
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Maybe there is something to this question to investigate?
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-- posted by pink101

» Brian Tubbs - The Father, not the Mother

In response to Judaism posted by pink101:
Yeah, we are getting to the Trinity, with the next two portions of the Nicene Creed. But for this first one, we're just focusing on God the Father.

I would differ with you, however, on the comment that there's no controversy here apart from the Trinity. Note that the Council of Nicea referred to God the Father. I made it a point to emphasize this earlier in the thread. The Council of Nicea, like the early church in general and the Jews before them, understood God in a masculine, paternal way.

I suspect Migisi will want to comment on that. As might Sister Turtle if she's lurking still.

The masculine God the Father of the OT is not popular with feminists. Yet it IS a cornerstone assumption, you might say, of the early Christian church.

» Brian Tubbs - Follow up

I recall your bringing up some points a while back in a different thread about the paternalistic nature of Christianity. Those who see God as a strict Father. Something to that effect. Well, I think that plays in here.