The Apostles Creed is an ancient statement of faith recited by millions around the world and down through the centuries. The words transcend denominational differences and cultural distinctions to summarize what believers have always embraced. The late singer-songwriter, Rich Mullins, set the Apostles Creed to music in his award-winning song, “Creed.” He occasionally broke into the flow of the ancient lines to sing—
I did not make it
It is making me.
I like that line. What makes you? We all operate out of a set of assumptions about the way the world is, such as:
“If I do good things, then good things will happen to me.”
“The only person you can count on is yourself.”
“Life is a dressing room for eternity.”
“God likes me.”
“God hates me.”
We make our decisions and respond to circumstances out of the assumptions we hold. As Mullins sang, what we believe makes us what we are. The Anchor Course will help you examine the beliefs that drive your life. It begins this Sunday.
The Anchor Course is a walk through the Apostles Creed. According to the Bible, one of the characteristics of the first believers was that “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching” (Acts 2:42). So, the best way to discuss Christian faith with each other is to organize it around what the apostles taught. In the Anchor Course, the points of the Creed will serve as touchstones for conversations over the basics of what Christ-followers believe.
When I teach the Course, I confess I’m not neutral in my hopes of where such an inspection will lead you. If you are exploring Christianity, I pray you will trade in your way of looking at the world for the way Jesus looked at things. If you are already committed to Christ, I hope that your time in the Course will help you operate more consistently out of the beliefs you hold. I have yet to meet a believer who was a “finished product.” Mullins said the Creed was making him, and that implies a work still underway.
To find out more about the Anchor Course and to register for the on-campus study, click here.
--Tom
Tom serves as pastor at Hillcrest Church in Austin, Texas. His sermons are available on YouTube and the HillcrestToGo Podcast and you can find him on Facebook and Twitter. If someone forwarded this email newsletter to you, sign up here to receive Tom’s weekly devotional in your email inbox.