W Dean Witten

The Christian's Creed W Dean Witten

"What do I believe?" Mary asked her pastor. She was confused. She belonged to the church but had difficulty putting into words what she believed. And she was embarrassed at a party where several people got into a discussion about various beliefs. One woman was Jewish and she told clearly and succinctly what she believed as a Jew. Another was Roman Catholic, and she stated enthusiastically what Catholics believe. Another was a Christian Scientist, and she spoke eloquently about what they believe. Mary was the only Protestant in the group, and did not know what to say or how to say it. Mary knew she should have been able to express what she believed. She could not and it troubled her deeply. The next morning, she called her pastor. "What do I believe?" she asked. "What do you mean?" he replied. And she told him what had happened at the party and her inability to share her faith as the others had done. Why did she not know? After all, she had been a member of the church for many years. She joined the church family at each Sunday service to recite the Apostles' Creed as their affirmation of faith. Yet, she did not think to use it to share with her friends what she affirmed in church. Hopefully, as we focus on the Apostles' Creed through prayer and meditation, its words, sentences and faith will grip us in the depths so that we will have clarity and be able to say what we believe.