Simpson advances the Catholic Church's most familiar formulation of belief as
the Christian answer to spiritual seekers. The Nicene Creed arose out of a fourth-century dispute over the nature of Christ. Was he equal to God the Father or, as the priest Arius propagandized, inferior? The Roman emperor Constantine finally had to intervene in the bitter wrangling, calling a council of bishops in Nicaea (now Iznik, Turkey) to settle the matter. A credo was hammered out that expressed the divine equality of God and Christ. Arius' heresy revived, however, after Constantine's death, and another council had to bolster the decision at Nicaea. In the fifth century, from parts now unknown but not from Nicaea, the Nicene Creed as we know it emerged. Simpson's modest effort is a fine primer on the great credo's history (for a full-scale account, turn to Rubenstein's
When Jesus Became God ) and a clear exposition of its meaning.
Ray Olson
Review
"Simpson advances the Catholic Church's most familiar formulation of belief as the Christian answer to spiritual seekers. The Nicene Creed arose out of a fourth-century dispute over the nature of Christ. Was he equal to God the Father or, as the priest Arius propagandized, inferior? The Roman emperor Constantine finally had to intervene in the bitter wrangling, calling a council of bishops in Nicaea (now Iznik, Turkey) to. settle the matter. A credo was hammered out that expressed the divine equality of God and Christ. Arius' heresy revived, however, after Constantine's death, and another council had to bolster the decision at Nicaea. In the fifth century, from parts now unknown but not from Nicaea, the Nicene Creed as we know it emerged. Simpson's modest effort is a fine primer on the great credo's history (for a full-scale account, turn to Rubenstein's When Jesus Became God [BKL JI 991) and a clear exposition of its meaning. --
Ray Olson, Booklist, October 1, 1999"Simpson offers a brief, clear, layman's narrative of how the Nicene Creed reached its present form, and shows how it focuses the unchanging realities of the gospel." --
J.I. Packer, Professor, Regent CollegeIn narrative style, this book sets the scene for the Council of Nicea, the religious and historical landmark of 325 AD, examining the integral players and the political and social climate of the day. Rather than interpreting the Creed from a solely theological perspective, this volume looks at the dynamic interaction and the passionate faith of the council members, and relates how the arduous task of developing a universal, enduring creed was accomplished. Gregory Simpson serves on the clergy staff of The Community of Jesus, an ecumenical Christian community in Orleans, Massachusetts. --
Ecumenism, No 136, December 1999
