Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

  • Apple
  • Android
  • Windows Phone
  • Android

To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number.
Download to your computer
Kindle Cloud Reader
Facebook Twitter Pinterest <Embed>
  • List Price: $15.99
  • Save: $3.07 (19%)
FREE Shipping on orders with at least $25 of books.
Only 18 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
The Creed: What Christian... has been added to your Cart
Want it Thursday, Aug. 18? Order within and choose this date at checkout.
Ship to:
Select a shipping address:
To see addresses, please
or
Please enter a valid US zip code.
or
FREE Shipping on orders over $25.
Used: Good | Details
Sold by madluckbooks
Fulfilled by Amazon
Condition: Used: Good
Comment: Some wear to cover, minor corner dings

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and .

If you're a seller, Fulfillment by Amazon can help you increase your sales. We invite you to learn more about Fulfillment by Amazon .

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Have one to sell? Sell on Amazon
Flip to back Flip to front
Listen Playing... Paused   You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more
See this image

The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters Paperback – August 17, 2004

by
Luke Timothy Johnson (Author)
› Visit Amazon's Luke Timothy Johnson Page
Find all the books, read about the author, and more.
See search results for this author
Are you an author? Learn about Author Central
Luke Timothy Johnson (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 31 customer reviews
See all 6 formats and editions Hide other formats and editions
Price
New from Used from
Kindle
"Please retry"
$10.40
— —
Hardcover
"Please retry"
—
$22.76 $0.48
Paperback
"Please retry"
$12.92
$8.11 $0.01
Wiley Summer Savings Event.
Wiley Summer Savings Event.
Save up to 40% during Wiley's Summer Savings Event. Learn more.
$12.92 FREE Shipping on orders with at least $25 of books. Only 18 left in stock (more on the way). Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
click to open popover

Frequently Bought Together

  • The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters
  • +
  • "I Believe": Exploring the Apostles' Creed
  • +
  • The Apostles' Creed for Today
Total price: $36.54
One of these items ships sooner than the other. Show details
Buy the selected items together

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
This shopping feature will continue to load items. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading.
Back
  1. "I Believe": Exploring the Apostles' Creed
    Alister McGrath
    4.5 out of 5 stars 17
    Paperback
    $11.44 Prime
  2. The Apostles' Creed for Today
    Justo L. González
    4.2 out of 5 stars 10
    Paperback
    $12.18 Prime
  3. Exploring and Proclaiming the Apostles' Creed
    Roger E. Van Harn
    4.8 out of 5 stars 4
    Paperback
    $10.86 Prime
  4. Catholicism in the Third Millennium
    Thomas P. Rausch SJ
    4.7 out of 5 stars 6
    Paperback
    $21.93 Prime
  5. Rooted: The Apostles' Creed
    Raymond F. Cannata
    4.9 out of 5 stars 41
    Paperback
    $11.95 Prime
  6. Affirming the Apostles' Creed
    J. I. Packer
    4.3 out of 5 stars 22
    Paperback
    $8.92 Prime
Next
NO_CONTENT_IN_FEATURE
The latest book club pick from Oprah
"The Underground Railroad" by Colson Whitehead is a magnificent novel chronicling a young slave's adventures as she makes a desperate bid for freedom in the antebellum South. See more

Product Details

  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Image; Reprint edition (August 17, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385502486
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385502481
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsCredo...
By FrKurt Messick HALL OF FAMEVINE VOICE on May 29, 2004
Format: Hardcover
Truth in advertising compels me to confess that Luke Timothy Johnson was a professor of mine during my undergraduate years - I took several classes from him in the Religious Studies field while an undergraduate at Indiana University; I have used his books consistently both as a student and as an instructor, and they have been of a consistently high quality in scholarship and readability.
Many of Johnson's text deal with the New Testament directly, or with issues deriving from it (explorations of Jesus, early church studies, etc.). This book, 'The Creed', combines a lot of this kind of scholarship into an overall discussion of the creeds the modern church espouses. Johnson, a life-long Roman Catholic, has had the recitation of the creed as part of his regular worship experiences all his life - first in Latin, then later in English. Many Christians Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant share this kind of experience. Often faithfulness is a response to God, but Johnson has in this text developed more along the lines of faith as belief, as giving a common sense of purpose and identity. In the preface, Johnson states his belief, his faith that the creed may be a most important element in helping the church to recover its sense of itself.
Johnson identifies the pervasive character of modern philosophical thinking from the Enlightenment through to Modernity as rather inimical to the kind of faith the creed called for when first formulated by the early church. The world is now set up in many ways in duality between belief and inquiry, and rarely to the two intersect happily. Not only is creedal Christianity a subject of criticism from outside Christian culture, but is also a controversial topic within - how are the creeds to be interpreted and applied? How vital are they?Read more ›
Comment 55 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
4.0 out of 5 starsUneven but sharp and concise primer and apology
By R. Cannata on February 19, 2005
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Maybe 3 and a half stars.

Luke Timothy Johnson is a moderately conservative neo-orthodox Roman Catholic. A world-class Biblcial scholar teaching at (liberal Methodist) Emory.

There are some VERY outstanding new books on the Creed: Alister McGrath's I Believe; Van Harn, ed., Exploring and Proclaiming The Apostles' Creed [2004]; Michael Horton, We Believe, and the last section of David Matzko McCarthy, The Good Life [2004]. If I bought just two, one would be Johnson's. McGrath and Horton's works are certainly more orthodox in spots. (For example, 'born of the Virgin Mary': Horton and McGrath believe that the Creed is right on that, while Johnson strongly hedges.) But Johnson makes up for shaky orthodoxy in style, precision, and clarity.

His introduction is the best part of the book. His defense of creeds, against Modernity on one hand and Anabaptists on the other, is alone worth the $10. Pleasant cover and packaging too.
Comment 23 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
4.0 out of 5 starsStrong presentation of the Creed - Christian fundamentals
By D. Keating on March 27, 2004
Format: Hardcover
This book was given to me by my father as a gift after I expressed interest in possibly pursuing an advanced degree in Christian theology or apologetics. It was an excellent choice because it deals with one of the fundamental Christian creeds - the Nicene creed. Overall, the author's presentation about the subject was strong, but I did find a few sections somewhat tangential.
The author states that his aim in writing this book is "to make the creed controversial for those Christians who say it, but do not understand it, and therefore, do not grasp what a radical and offensive act they perform when they declare these words every week in a public assembly". Oddly enough, the church I attend actually does not recite the Creed during weekly services. None the less, I was very interested to see how the author goes about fulfilling his aim.
The bulk of the book focuses on a line by line analysis of the Creed, and the fundamental doctrines it represents. Basically, the book illustrates how different the Christian view is from other religions, and the world we in which we eixts. Additionally, the author feels like the Creed should be a unifying way to help the Church find common ground. He realizes that the Body contains diverse views throughout, but he proves the point that the Creed helped unify the early church, and it can do the same today.
Additionally, the author offers analysis of various denominations approachs to certain doctrines, such as baptism, the Holy Spirit, and the accuracy of the Bible. It is these sections which are not all successful. For example, pointing out that the modern charismatic movement does a better job of including the Holy Spirit in their doctrine, but go overboard on the issue of speaking in tongues is insightful.Read more ›
Comment 13 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
5.0 out of 5 starsLTJ ( Roman Catholic) Inspires A Baptist
By Mengo on August 23, 2003
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
Luke Timothy Johnson does a superb job describing the history and early function of the Nicene Creed, then he skillfully produces compelling arguments for modern day functions of the Creed for all Christians who confess Christ as Lord. Although it may be a bit idealistic of me, I think The Creed could potentially close the gap that formed in the Church as a result of the Protestant Reformation.
A must read for all Christians who believed Jesus wanted unity in his body when he prayed in John 17.
Comment 20 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
3.0 out of 5 starsHurrah for Creedal Christianity!
By G. Stucco on May 20, 2006
Format: Paperback
This book stands in stark contrast with the lofty Clues to the Nicean Creed (see my review). It is filled with solid theology, scriptural references and persuasive arguments in support of one thesis: the Creed should be the interpretative backbone of the Christian faith, the flag around which disoriented and wavering Christians ought to rally in our age of uncertainty.
According to Johnson, in order to share a meaningful message with the world, Christianity ought to rediscover the wealth and value of the Creed or stand in danger to lose its "salt" and become either irrelevant or another club. I totally concur with his assessment. In his last chapter ("Creedal Christianity"), probably the most valuable of the book, the author makes a spirited defense of the Creed against reductionist/minimalist claims about Jesus and the content of the Christian faith made by people within and outside of it. I also was delighted by two suggestions advanced by Johnson: that the doctrinal claims of the Creed can and should guide the practice of the Church (Johnson made a convincing case that the Creed defines parameters and boundaries, but not obstacles); and that the Creed emphasizes the what and not the how of the Faith, and thus should not be accused of saying "too much where one ought to remain silent."
I gave the book only three stars because of its underdeveloped historical treatment and because I was not impressed with what I personally considered a de rigoeur, artificial and somewhat forced correlation between the Creed and the social agenda of the Church.
Comment 14 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse

Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Our faith as Christians.

Published 4 days ago by Warren
4.0 out of 5 starsRevisiting the Christian Faith

This is a very well written scripturally and historically based explanation of every statement of faith recited in the Nicene Creed. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Robert D. Odum
5.0 out of 5 starsFor anyone who wants to understand what Christians believe

This is the book for those who want to learn more about the Nicene Creed. Luke Timothy Johnson explains the meaning and history behind the words many Christians recite each Sunday. Read more

Published 8 months ago by Peggy M.
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat resource that breaks down the Nicene Creed and gives ...

Great resource that breaks down the Nicene Creed and gives an explanation of each component. If I remember correctly, Johnson is from the Catholic faith tradition, but he really... Read more

Published 14 months ago by John
1.0 out of 5 starsThis is NOT Catholic Faith

If you want to know Catholic Faith, this is not the book. I am familiar with LT Johnson's work on scripture and he is excellent. Read more

Published 16 months ago by Phoenixguy
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent Treatment

This is my go-to book for the Nicene Creed. I found it refreshingly clear, concise and illuminating. I felt challenged more than once.

Published 16 months ago by Paul D. Panaretos Jr., S.J.
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

ok

Published 19 months ago by Mary K.
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

An enlightening and inspiring work.

Published 23 months ago by Gene Hecker
4.0 out of 5 starsExplains what we believe if we are Christians

This is an amazing and inspiring book. Gives each of us who want to follow Christ a better understanding of our history and theology. Read more

Published 23 months ago by Penelope S. Tzougros
4.0 out of 5 starsAn excellent read.

I belong to a liturgical church and have known the Nicene Creed since I was a little girl in church listening to the grown ups recite the words. I think Mr. Read more

Published on May 25, 2014 by Audre'

Set up an Amazon Giveaway

The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters
Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers. Learn more about Amazon Giveaway
This item: The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters
Set up a giveaway

There's a problem loading this menu right now.

Learn more about Amazon Prime.