The Great Creeds

The Creeds The Catholicity of the Anglican Church

In the early centuries the word “catholic” was used for those whose faith was defined by the Ecumenical Creeds. This word derives from the Greek words kath’ holike,| “according to the whole” and was explained as “that which has been believed everywhere, always and by all”. [1]

Historically, those who deviated from these “catholic” beliefs were deemed “heretics” (the original word hairesis meant “self-chosen opinion”) and “schismatics” (the original word schizein meant “to split”). The words “heresy” and “schismatic” are old fashioned and rather confrontational yet, they express the reality that the “catholic” faith is a defined faith that calls for convinced commitment from church members. Accordingly, the creeds are instruments of godly unity. Those who deviate from them do so wilfully and idiosyncratically, based on their better judgements and in consequence they divide the body of Christ.

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