The new Roman Missal states that the Apostles’ Creed may be recited instead of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan (Nicene) Creed, and especially during Lent and Easter time. We use the Apostles’ Creed as a general practice in our archdiocese because the latest translation of the Nicene Creed still uses exclusive language (“for us men”) to refer to the whole community, even though in the Gloria the same Latin word is used inclusively (“..and peace to people of good will”). For the sake of inclusivity, our archdiocese has therefore been directed to use the Apostles’ Creed instead of the Nicene Creed as a regular practice.
I pass this on only because of the recent interest in the language of the creed -- some of which was occasioned by this blog and comments thereafter. Let me express a few comments on the announcement of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese.
The use of the Apostles' Creed is ancient, ecumenical, and good. It should not grow out of the memory of the people and the surest way to keep this memory a living one is to confess it regularly. Luther, it should be said, recommended praying (the devotional use of the creed) the Apostles' Creed no less than 8 times a day! I don't think we are in any danger of over use so I applaud the occasional use of the Apostles' Creed. We use it here mostly during Advent and Lent (penitential seasons) and for a month or so during the summer.
That said, the use of the Apostles' Creed should not be determined by our embarrassment or discomfort with the lack of "inclusive" language in the creed. Frankly, I find this just as trite and silly as when Lutherans complain that they cannot swallow the word "catholic" without getting the taste of Roman bile in the back of their throats. Inclusivity is hardly injured nor is it fostered by the use of man or the lack of it. Grow up.
Furthermore, the exclusive use of the Apostles' Creed represents its own monumental hurdle for the faith. The Nicene is the ordinary creed of the Mass. It has been that way for generation upon generation. There is grave danger to the erosion of the corporate memory so that the words of the Nicene Creed become unfamiliar to the people of God. As much as I am concerned about the living memory of the Apostles' Creed through its regular recitation (inside and outside of a setting of corporate worship), I am greatly concerned that the Nicene Creed will suffer the same fate, destined to obscurity within a generation of such a practice and its only offense being that some folks find it hard to say man or men for all mankind. Such silliness diminishes the faith and trivializes the whole nature of words and conversation -- something in enough trouble even without this decision.
Personally, I hate it when the words to hymns are changed for the same silliness. If a translation errs with respect to the original or uses an obscure word that has passed from usage, update. All in all I favor using hymns as they were, with all their foibles and idiosyncrasies. We live in an age of education in which such simplistic sins should be easily handled by reading good literature and improved vocabulary. That could not hurt anyone.
10 comments:
"Inclusivity is hardly injured nor is it fostered by the use of man or the lack of it. Grow up." --- Amen!!!
Anglicans use the Apostles Creed twice a day, everyday, at Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. But we unfailingly (I hope!) use the Nicene Creed for Mass. On Trinity Sunday, we (sometimes) use the Athanasian Creed, although this is not consistent. The last is not included in any Book of Common Prayer that I know about.
Political Correctness is out to destroy the Church as a part of its march to destroy society. If PC can force us to change historic words (Creeds, hymns, Lectionary readings, etc.) then they have won and the Christian tradition has lost. We should know better than to try to placate people who are bent on our destruction.
Fr. D+
Where's the link, Pastor. Seemeth weird to me. The passive "been directed" is odd. The argumentation - given the fact that the translation of the Nicene Creed is is not up for review - is odd given that elsewhere on the site the Year of Faith study of the Nicene Creed is promoted.
http://thesoutherncrossnews.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/whats-your-question/
Q: Why is the Apostles’ Creed used at Mass in preference to the Nicene Creed?
A: The new Roman Missal states that the Apostles’ Creed may be recited instead of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan (Nicene) Creed, and especially during Lent and Easter time. We use the Apostles’ Creed as a general practice in our archdiocese because the latest translation of the Nicene Creed still uses exclusive language (“for us men”) to refer to the whole community, even though in the Gloria the same Latin word is used inclusively (“..and peace to people of good will”).
For the sake of inclusivity, our archdiocese has therefore been directed to use the Apostles’ Creed instead of the Nicene Creed as a regular practice.
Looks like Rome is succumbing to PC! One might have hoped that they would know better, but it appears not to be the case. What a shame!!
The venerable Dr. Tighe got it right and I restored the link that somehow did not post when I did the original. Thanks and regrets to my RC friends living in that diocese.
Maybe Pastor Peters can take this into account when he writes the next worship service. Want to be in line as much as we can with Roman Missal
And the butchering of old hymns in the name of updating them for a modern audience and supposedly making them more relevant, is also a disgrace. For example I think of the version "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" by Chris Tomlin that is sung in many churches now. The corporate memory that Pastor Peters talks about is being eroded.
The unifying ability of Christians to be able to sing together a great hymn (from memory) is undermined by the rewriting of great hymns.
Geez are you the same anonymous from a while ago? Whatever your gripe, pick up the phone and talk to him. Its obvious you are local to his congregation. You certainly do not know what it is like to live with only praise bands and seeker services in LCMS churches. If you are in the church talk to him, if you aren 't. Get over it.
To Anonymous:
I do not "write" my own worship services. Every part of it is from Scripture, the various worship books of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, or from the worship forms of Lutheran jurisdictions in the earliest of Lutheran days. It is a lie and slander to put this on the same par as those who sit each week at a keyboard and literally write a new worship service each week.
When it comes to the creed and your concern about "we believe" I suggest you look up what the Wisconsin Synod uses. When it comes to a Eucharistic Prayer, I suggest you read what the LCMS published in Worship Supplement 1969 and Hymnal Supplement 1998. When it comes to the line after the absolution (May He who began this good work...), read Philippians 1. When it comes to the introduction to the lessons, check with Synod's website for their own lectionary summaries. If you are offended by a consecration bell, check with hundreds of LCMS parishes including the one which our Synod's Director of Worship formerly served.
Honestly, you make it out as if I am out here playing fast and loose with the things of God and doing whatever I please.
If you think that what I do is informed by Rome, you do not know what Lutheranism is. Have you read our Confessions? What does it mean when we insist we have not abolished the Mass, when we insist up retaining church usages, ceremonies, etc.?
I can only assume that these are but token arguments for issues you have with me personally. If that is so, then speak with me directly. It is not difficult to get in touch with me.
Well said. The Missouri Synod is an apostolic, Bible believing church if there ever was one. All in all, I am glad you use the more inclusive Apostles Creed too. Blessings.
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