Credo: Believing in Something to Die For [Paperback]

Ray Pritchard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 16, 2005

The Apostles' Creed is the most widely accepted creed of the church. Brief but powerful, it is so clear and biblical that all branches of Christendom enthusiastically embrace it. When we stand up together and say the creed that begins with, "I believe," we are expressing many of the core beliefs of the Christian faith.

But have you ever thought about what you're saying? Whether you recite the Apostles' Creed every week or hardly ever, all Christians should understand what it means and why it's important. Pastor Ray Pritchard examines this great creed line-by-line, point-by-point. His explanations are vibrant, thorough, accessible, and firmly rooted in Scripture.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Credo has been designed with an eye toward helping a new generation understand the Apostles' Creed. By skillfully dissecting the Creed, Pritchard exposes the awesome power of the gospel and its unique ability to transform lives."
—Tim LaHaye, Minister and co-author of the Left Behind series

"In these pages, Ray Pritchard introduces us to the creed of the early church, the doctrines that sustained the Christians as they suffered for Christ. I pray that God will use this book to revive the same courage in our hearts."
—Erwin W. Lutzer, Senior Pastor, The Moody Church, Chicago, IL

"Credo lays out the basics for a life that is what it was intended to be. Most of my generation and younger (under thirty) have no concept of the truths found in 'The Creed.' Yet never has there been a day when a generation needed it more. Credo bridges that gap!"
—Kevin McCullough, Host of MuscleHead Radio, WMCA, New York City, author of The MuscleHead Revolution

"Living in a time when the need for reformation and revival has never been greater, the title of this book is like water in a dry land. Pritchard writes with such clarity, insight, and pastoral wisdom that it makes this ancient creed come alive with meaning."
—Rebecca Manley Pippert, Author of Out of the Salt Shaker

About the Author

Ray Pritchard is Senior Pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Illinois. He has been a professor and guest lecturer at many schools and is a frequent guest on nationally broadcast radio programs. He has ministered extensively overseas, preaching in India, Nepal, Paraguay, Colombia, Haiti, Nigeria, Switzerland, Russia, and Belize. He has written more than twenty books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Crossway Books (November 16, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581347197
• ISBN-13: 978-1581347197
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,478,406 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ray Pritchard is Senior Pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Illinois. He has been a professor and guest lecturer at many schools and is a frequent guest on nationally broadcast radio programs. He has ministered extensively overseas, preaching in India, Nepal, Paraguay, Colombia, Haiti, Nigeria, Switzerland, Russia, and Belize. He has written more than twenty books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Treasure!, February 15, 2006

By 

Angel "of "The Rogue Angel"" (Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Credo: Believing in Something to Die For (Paperback)

The first thing that struck me when I received Credo was the cover and the style of the book. The texture of the pages, the uneven edges, the old world style type--made me feel that I was opening a treasure of sorts. It was like I was opening an old scroll of secrets yet untold. My impressions were correct. Credo is definitely a treasure.

The Apostles Creed is the oldest and most widely accepted creed within the Christian faith and Credo sets out to explain it like no other book has ever done. Not only does it tackle why the Apostles Creed matters, but it also breaks it down point by point. Pritchard even goes so far as to show why we should believe the creed and what it means to our lives. I was not only drawn to his arguments, I found myself nodding my head constantly in agreement.

Each section ends with questions that can be used to further study the creed individually or as a group. I honestly think this book would be great for churches to use to study the creed and why it is important to our faith. Those new to the faith and those that have been Christians all of their lives will enjoy this book. It made me look at the creed in a whole new light. It isn't just something I say at the end of service anymore. It is a statement of my belief in God, in my salvation through Christ, his resurrection, the Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of sins, and so much more. I agree with Pritchard that some things are not negotiable and you must believe in certain things to actually be a Christian. Our faith is founded on truth and it means something to believe in the tenets of Christianity. The creed reminds us of that.

I highly recommend this book and will consider it required reading for my children as they grow in their faith. As Christians, we believe in something worth dying for and Christ is the cornerstone of everything we believe. Credo expresses that in a fundamental and powerful way.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting down the basics Christianity, April 23, 2006

By 

Roger N. Overton (La Mirada, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Credo: Believing in Something to Die For (Paperback)

As Christians, what do we believe? If we can begin to articulate our beliefs, do they have any impact in our lives? In Credo, author Ray Pritchard looks to the Apostles Creed as an exceptional answer to these questions. He gives three reasons we should to this creed: "First, it is the oldest and most widely accepted... Second, it offers a broad survey of Christian doctrine... Third, the Creed offers a radical challenge to the skepticism of this generation." (17)

After introducing the Creed, each chapter examines it line-by-line, resulting in 19 chapters ranging from 7 to 13 pages each. Each chapter explains what is meant in each line, ways we can understand it, and what it means for our lives. The importance of practical application is made apparent throughout the book. "This is more than a doctrinal statement. It's a declaration of your personal commitment to what the Creed says... The world will not be moved by a halfhearted commitment to things we don't really believe." (207-8)

Ray Pritchard does an excellent job explaining what's at stake in each part of the Creed. For example, in discussing the virgin birth, he explains that "in order for Christ to be our Savior, three conditions had to be met: He must be a man... He must be an infinite man... He must be an innocent man." (63) He doesn't shy away from the most controversial part of the Creed- the idea that Jesus descended into hell. Instead, he thoughtfully describes what it cannot mean, what it might mean, and what it must mean.

Not only is each doctrine thoughtfully addressed, but application is made by asking what difference they make for us. In covering the practical issues as well, Ray Pritchard does a great job making the Apostles Creed come alive, which is necessary in a Christian culture that's forgetting its roots. Credo recommits these ancient truths to our hearts and minds in a meaningful and accessible style.