I Believe: The Nicene Creed [Hardcover]

Pauline Baynes (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2003 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

The Nicene Creed, first drafted in A.D. 325 under the auspices of the Roman emperor Constantine, is one of the major ancient statements of Christian faith, still used by Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Calvinist, and other churches all over the world. In this lovely volume Pauline Baynes, the much-loved illustrator of C. S. Lewis's "Chronicles of Narnia" and J. R. R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings," has transformed the Nicene Creed into a delightful reading experience as well.

Baynes's exquisite original artwork brings to life the wider meaning and relevance of the Nicene Creed. Her aesthetic interpretations of the text reflecting a lifelong passion for Anglo-Saxon and Persian manuscripts, Baynes renders striking visual images of the sun, moon, and stars, of real creatures and mythical beasts, of death and resurrection, of judgment and everlasting life, and of Jesus Christ.

An inspired and inspiring treatment of a singular document of faith, "I Believe" offers a unique entry into Christian spirituality and also makes a gorgeous gift book.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up-Baynes takes this fundamental statement of Christian doctrine line by line and points to its organizing narrative and its role in the world. Framed by ebullient leaves, flames, mandorlas, jambs, and arches, miniature vignettes of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus are linked to Church icons and rituals, and scenes of abundant nature, daily life, and the coming Judgment. However, Baynes portrays the world of faith as if she were a giddy Gothic illuminator. Her palette, with its slightly acid greens and dusty pink and gray, says "today." The pleasures of this work lie in the clever mimicry of medieval style, the delights of design, and the rewards of hunting through the exuberant faux-capitals for the hidden animals, symbols, architectural elements, and humans. Baynes knows when to stop: this is not a Book of Kells labyrinth, but a clear celebration of the pre-Renaissance world and its gift of faith.
Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. Baynes, best known for illustrating the Narnia series, visually interprets the Nicene Creed, a statement of Christian beliefs written in 325 C.E and used by Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and most Protestant churches today. To children who hear a modern translation of the creed in church every Sunday, the traditional version used here may sound a little different, but not enough to be confusing. The last page of text gives some history of the Nicene Creed. The artwork is imaginative and energetic as well as reverent. Reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts, the richly colored illustrations frame phrases from the creed with formal compositions, which are softened by sweeping lines of trees, flowers, and flowing water. Within the designs are small scenes from Christian stories and church history as well as odd little details featuring creatures such as spiders, birds, fish, dragons, and, yes, devils. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (August 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802852580
• ISBN-13: 978-0802852588
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,169,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lifetime treasure in a small volume, October 22, 2004

By 

Matthew (Greenfield, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Believe: The Nicene Creed (Hardcover)

I bought this book recently on something of a whim and immediately fell in love with it (as did my 3-year-old). The text is not a surprise, and it is easy to read quickly - it's just the Nicene Creed, which is intimately familiar to Christians the world over. Lutherans and other Protestants will do a double-take at "one holy Catholic Apostolic Church," but remember that that is the original wording, and catholic in this context refers not necessarily to the church of Rome, but to the universal, invisible church, that which C. S. Lewis, writing as Screwtape, called "The Church as we see her spread out through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners." The book's appeal, though, is its exquisite illustration, rich in detail. Mind you, by detail, I do not mean busy-ness. The pictures and icons have a delightful number of small points to be caught, but also are beautiful in larger scope, as facing pages sometimes contrast one another or make reference to illustrations from previous pages. The unity of the pictorial images underscores the unity of the Creed itself. You really can't read the book just once at a sitting; you have to read it once, slowly, savoring each page, and then once through at a "normal" pace to see the overarching theme, extending linearly from Creation through Good Friday and the Resurrection, and finally to the final Judgment. The last image, with a person peeking through huge, magnificent doors into the brightness beyond, accompanying, "And I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come," is in itself worth (buying and) reading the entire book. What a treasure.

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars OK with adaptations, January 20, 2006

By 

Quo Primum (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I Believe: The Nicene Creed (Hardcover)

The actual Nicene creed as quoted by Catholics is slightly different. (Despite what the other reviewer states,)This rendition omits the word "Holy" from the line One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic, (which are the four marks of the Catholic Church) thus making it more palatable to protestants. Ironically, the Nicene Creed was promulgated in RESPONSE to the arian heresy, and at the same Council (of Nicea)that proclaimed Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus (Outside the Church there is no salvation) so to see it espoused by groups that reject Her, and refer instead to an "invisible church" is contradictory of the very purpose in which the Nicene Creed was created. If you are Catholic and keen on accuracy, plan on penning in a few corrections. The illustrations are, I agree, lovely and reminiscent of medieval drawings.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Own, October 18, 2008

By 

Kristen Stewart (Midtown Memphis) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I Believe: The Nicene Creed (Hardcover)

We bought this book two years ago for our children and they have enjoyed it IMMENSELY. It has helped them to learn the creed of course, but the beautiful illustrations have also served as great launching points for discussion. There are lots of little things to notice in this style, it continues to reveal itself to young readers over time. I am amazed at how often when I finish my girls say, "Please read it again!" They love the creed, partially because of this fine presentation of it. The lovely illustrations and good binding make it a very appropriate gift for births and baptisms, particularly for parents who enjoy Tolkien and The Chronicles of Narnia as the common illustrator is a point of endearment for many.