That's a slogan from the United Universalist Church on a mailing one of our staff members received. It's obviously meant to address the failings of Christians to live out what they believe. That's a legitimate point that James chided us about 2000 years ago. The slogan is a sentiment I've heard from many Christians and Christian groups disillusioned by failure to live up to Biblical standards.
The slogan, though, is misleading. We don't have to choose between deeds and creeds. We should profess the creed of Christianity and live out the deeds consistent with that creed. "Creeds and deeds" would be a better slogan.
But I think that some people think that deeds and creeds are inconsistent, even that creeds somehow douse the motivation for deeds. Creeds often seem to be associate with mainline "dead" denominations an deeds with non-denominational congregations. Many churches no longer use the ecumenical creeds in worship services, and I wonder if some see that as progress to living out Christianity. The sense seems to be that creeds are cold, dead words.
It's worth pointing out that faith without works is dead, but works without faith are mere temporal actions. And creeds are merely a way of expressing our common Christian faith in a way that is meant to unify Christians. Creeds are simply the content of faith. Faith without specific content is mere sentiment. Faith as expressed in the creeds is what should motivate and enliven our deeds for eternal purposes and God's Kingdom.
I'm for "creeds and deeds." Faith and works.
"Deeds not creeds." Hmm... That looks an awful lot like a creed.
Posted by: Jon Benzinger | September 28, 2006 at 06:55 PM
"Deeds not creeds." Hmm... That looks an awful lot like a creed.
Posted by: Jon Benzinger | September 28, 2006 at 06:56 PM
Uhm yes, obviously it is a mini-creed. And also, if you look at the original Latin meaning of the word creed or credo, it means, "I believe".
This was a great mini blog in that it addresses what many Christians view nowadays as the missio dei, that is the mission of God.
Social justice seems to be a by-product of the fruits of the Holy Spirit as we first spread the Gospel news. Deeds should never be the major impetus for Chrisitianity as not only would it be theologically wrong, but it creates the false impression that we can please God with our works, which is not so. Only because of our faith, which is a gift from God,can we please the Almighty.
Posted by: tim | September 30, 2006 at 08:54 AM
Of course, there is only one creed: the New Testament. Anything else would be additions to God's Word by the sinful.
Posted by: Dennis | June 01, 2007 at 10:11 AM