Reflections: The Athanasian Creed
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, a day on which we reflect upon the mystery at the heart of our faith: that we worship one God in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity. If you think about the Trinity too long, odds are one of two things will happen: your head will start to hurt and/or you might accidentally lapse into some form of heresy. It is for this reason that the Church gives us Creeds which provide us language to articulate these doctrines.
The Trinity is hinted at in the Apostles’ Creed. We profess that we believe in “God the Father almighty,” “Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,” and, “the Holy Spirit.” Yet, the Apostles’ Creed doesn’t flesh out the implications of the Trinity specifically. It remains broad and basic.
The Nicene Creed is more elaborate. The same basic relationship is posited between the Father and the Son as what the Apostles’ Creed affirms, but it emphasizes their “consubstantiality” by describing Jesus as “God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God; Begotten, not made; Being of one substance with the Father.” It also elaborates on the Holy Ghost as a member of the Godhead, affirming that he is “The Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified.” Still, questions can be raised about the relationships between the various persons of the Trinity.
It is here that the Athanasian Creed (Quicunque Vult) is helpful. Unfortunately, the Athanasian Creed is omitted from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer most likely because of the strong language that anathematizes divergence from the Creed, but it was present in the earlier British versions of the Book of Common Prayer and was even recited at the Daily Offices. That said, it is affirmed as authoritative for the Anglican Province of America via the Affirmation of St. Louis and in other canonically-permitted liturgical sources. It has two major sections. The first is about the Trinity and the second is about Christ. It attempts to walk a careful balance that affirms the equality of the Trinity to avoid the implication that some members of the Trinity are “more” or “less” God than the others while also stressing the unity of the Godhead to prevent the misconception that Christians actually worship three different gods.
As we approach Trinity Sunday, it is always helpful to read the Athanasian Creed to remind ourselves of what we believe:
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith unless every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the catholic religion; to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.
Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation; that he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Substance of the Father; begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Substance of his Mother, born in the world. Perfect God; and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father as touching his Manhood. Who although he is God and Man; yet he is not two, but one Christ. One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by assumption of the Manhood into God. One altogether; not by confusion of Substance [Essence]; but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man; so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the living and the dead. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies; And shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved.