by Brandon Jubar

I had answered his question in the best way I knew how. I had let this "born again" Christian rocker know the basics of what I believe by telling him the Nicene Creed. In spite of a few interruptions, I had finished my profession of faith and concluded with a resounding "Amen".

"I Believe" and "Amen"

"Amen" is a Hebrew word, and it is the last word of the last book of the Bible. This word is one which we use all the time, yet few people understand its true import.

The term "amen" actually shares the same root as the word "believe", which ties up the Nicene Creed very well. We begin our profession of faith with the words "We believe", then come full circle and end it with the word "amen". Thus, when we utter the final word, we are saying "we believe" to all of God's truths, teachings, and commandments.

What About the Apostle's Creed?

The first ecumenical council was convened at Nicea in 325AD, and it included all the Christian bishops of the time. One of the main goals of the council was to address the various heretics and heresies that were cropping up throughout the church.

One of the most significant things the Council of Nicea accomplished was the hammering out of a general statement of Christian faith -- the Nicene Creed. This statement was needed in order to clearly distinguish the true Church from the numerous heresies that had arisen. The Nicene Creed was based upon the Apostles Creed -- which is about 100 years older, and considered the "oldest Roman catechism" -- but is different in that it clarifies certain aspects of Christianity.

The Creed for You and Me

Even today, hundreds of years after the council of Nicea, the Nicene Creed is still a wonderfully accurate expression of the basic tenets of our faith. As I discovered while explaining my faith to a non-Catholic, the truths contained in the Creed are significant and profound. And the words have a much deeper meaning than simply what is conveyed on the surface.

The Nicene Creed, in essence, is a way for us to say "amen" to the Lord, and to reaffirm the profession of faith made through our baptism. In a way, the Creed is analogous to our lives. We should live our lives as if to say "amen" to the vows we made at our baptism. Our thoughts and feelings, expressed through our words and deeds, should function as a living creed by which others can clearly see what we believe.

I look back on my conversation with that Christian Rock guitar player and I'm satisfied with my reply to his question. Even years later, knowing so much more about our Catholic faith, I believe the answer I gave was a good one. And it is one that any Catholic should be able to give. When asked what we believe, the most basic and truthful answer of all is the Nicene Creed.

Life Applications:

What do you mean when you say the word "amen"?

Do you think many protestant's realize that the Nicene Creed is something we have in common?

Can others tell what you believe by the way you live your life? Why or why not?

Copyright 2002 by Brandon Jubar
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