Would you consider this heretical?

[diggerdomer]

Calvary Chapel. My parents (who have always been evangelical) have recently started attending one of these, and their “creed” struck me very obviously NOT the Nicene Creed:

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from their website: calvarychapel.com/what_we_believe.cfm

"Calvary Chapel has been formed as a fellowship of believers in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our supreme desire is to know Christ and to be conformed into His image by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are not a denominational church, nor are we opposed to denominations as such, only their over-emphasis of the doctrinal differences that have led to the division of the Body of Christ.
We believe that the only true basis of Christian fellowship is His (Agape) love, which is greater than any differences we possess and without which we have no right to claim ourselves Christians.
We believe worship of God should be spiritual. Therefore, we remain flexible and yielded to the leading of the Holy Spirit to direct our worship.
We believe worship of God should be inspirational. Therefore, we give a great place to music in our worship.
We believe worship of God should be intelligent. Therefore, our services are designed with great emphasis upon teaching the Word of God that He might instruct us how He should be worshiped.
We believe worship of God is fruitful. Therefore, we look for His love in our lives as the supreme manifestation that we have truly been worshiping Him."

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I don’t want to argue with anyone–I do believe these people are Christians, because they do valid baptisms with water and the Trinitarian formula . . . but there are many churches out there that don’t pray the Nicene Creed (Wikipedia says 1000+ just of these!). Just for reference.

Thanks. Ok, let me clarify. I’ll restrict my comment to Christian denominations, and exclude independent or local or self-styled groups. I was primarily rejecting what I thought others were saying i.e. only Catholics pray the Creed truly.

Yes, of course there are exceptions, some Christians have chosen to write their own creeds or pray non-traditional ones. But the vast majority of Christians pray the Nicene and or Apostles Creeds (and for those who don’t, that still leaves the question open regarding whether they actually reject those traditional creeds, or just have come up with their own preferred profession…still a problem, but not necessarily heresy).

 

[Janet1983]

‘One Holy, Universal and Apostolic Church’

In the past, when I have been discussing the Catholic faith with non-Catholics (Protestants, non-Christians, ect) we usually get to a point in the discussion where I am asked what I believe as a Catholic. I like to recite the Nicene Creed since it covers all the basics. When I get to the ‘One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church’ I will sometimes substitute the word ‘Universal’ for ‘Catholic’. I did this because as soon as I say ‘Catholic’, the wheels come off the bus and the conversation shifts more often than not to’Why should I obey the pope!’.

I researched this New Advent (Nicene Creed, Catholic) and the general context of the word is ‘universal’, as opposed to referencing the Catholic Church proper.

What is your opinion on changing the word but keeping the meaning? Part of me feels that if Church wrote catholic, use catholic. Another part of me feels that if I can get to the core issues by changing the word and keeping the meaning, go for it.

Discuss.

I would not consider the translation of the word “catholic” heretical. As a matter of fact the creed is being said in various Protestant churches throughout Germany and there it is always translated as universal. The word itself means just that and that is why I see a disctinction between what was called “catholic” back then and the Catholic Church today under the pope in Rome.

May God bless you.
Your sister in Christ,
Janet