beliefs


With the help of God’s Spirit, we trust the Trinity and the unfolding story of God’s Love summarized by the Apostle’s Creed.  We hold this creed in common with a diverse community (Protestant, Roman Catholic & Orthodox) from all over the world and throughout the ages:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead.  On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.  Amen.”

7 responses to “beliefs”

  1. When the Apolstle's Creed is revised to include the feminine side of God, as in God the Mother as well as God the Father, perhaps God the Parent, as weird as it sounds, I will feel fully welcome in the church that is called Christian. I believe that Jesus would approve of his Beloved taking the bold step to envision and speak the true equality of men and women that would reflect the truth of God's full embodiment of all that is Good in the male and the female aspects of God's divinity. Just some food for thought as you grow… this issue is brought up so many times when I talk to people about why they have walked away from the organized practice of Christianity.

    • But God does not reveal Himself in His Word as female. Calling Him “mother” is nothing short of heresy.

  2. When the Apolstle's Creed is revised to include the feminine side of God, as in God the Mother as well as God the Father, perhaps God the Parent, as weird as it sounds, I will feel fully welcome in the church that is called Christian. I believe that Jesus would approve of his Beloved taking the bold step to envision and speak the true equality of men and women that would reflect the truth of God's full embodiment of all that is Good in the male and the female aspects of God's divinity. Just some food for thought as you grow… this issue is brought up so many times when I talk to people about why they have walked away from the organized practice of Christianity.

  3. Also it's important to know that translations of the bible have removed (either through translation error or otherwise) many references to the feminine qualities of God, as in God giving birth to us and so on. Have you read John Crossan's discussions of the Apostle's Creed? Interesting stuff. In the meantime I think it helps to acknowledge the feminine qualities of God in our prayers and worship services … but I agree we have some way to go …

  4. I don't agree with lavali I think our earliest texts are pretty clear, but sister barbara…I understand your point. The verse from Isaiah that tells of God saying

    14But Zion said,(A) “The LORD has forsaken me;
    my Lord has forgotten me.”

    15(B) “Can a woman forget her nursing child,
    that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?
    Even these may forget,
    yet I will not forget you.

    but Jesus called God Father…and also I have some sensitivity to it I will do the same. We should not judge our Father in heaven by the behavior of our own fathers, we should judge our own fathers by the love and compassion of our heavenly Father.

  5. Hey folks commenting about God and gender – take a look at our service archive called “Our Mother Who Art In Heaven”: http://belovedschurch.org/2009/05/11/our-mother-who-art-in-heaven/

    A point that's not included in that service is this – our scriptures do not have this debate in mind when it's writing to it's audiences – it's unfair to try and make it say that is does… even when uses male pro-nouns. The scriptures are not saying, “Hey, We are intentionally using male pro-nouns in order to weigh in on your gender debate.” Even the feminine example that Dubayd sites, which I really want help symbolize a point for the femininity of God, I'm not sure that's what it's intended to say – rather it says, “God wont forget you!” and the prophet asks, “How can I ignite the imagination of my hearers around this promise? I know, God is like a mother… even more than a mother.”

    But we can certainly have a modern conversation about gender and language and power… but, for christians, you know exactly what God thinks about power because Jesus loves/serves his enemies and dies for them. That's a good word to men who want to put women down and raise themselves up… and that's a good word to women who want to put men down and raise themselves up. Christ is the great equalizer of persons who calls us to raise up the Other.

  6. Coming from someone whose both earthly mother and father have abandoned them, I rejoice in the compassion and love I receive from my heavenly Father. Yes, I make mistakes. I must be corrected and learn from these mistakes but I know beyond a doubt that He has never and will never leave nor forsake me. I take comfort in the faith I have that my Father accepts me no matter what….And what else do I rejoice in? WE are the feminine side of Christ. WE are the BRIDE. We are blessed to be commissioned to take what God has created and to continue to create. WE are the womb from which great things can come forth.

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