Before the people at Shechem, a religious sanctuary of Israel, Joshua recited an historical creed. In this address Joshua begins with mention of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, delivered from their idolatry. Then Moses and the deliverance from Egypt, the central event that Israel commemorates, is recounted, followed by entrance into the land the people were promised. It was by the power of God that these things happened.
After this rendition, Joshua calls on Israel to serve God in faithfulness and sincerity. The people are given the choice between following the true God or the gods that their ancestors worshipped both in the land of Canaan and beyond the River (Euphrates). Joshua is firm about the answer. He and his family will worship the true God.
Here we have a Creed imbedded in history with an important “Therefore” at the end. In other words, the creed rehearses what the God has done for the people and then calls on them to be faithful to God.
This text including the Book of Joshua is part of the Deuteronomistic history that extends from Deuteronomy to II Kings except for the Book of Ruth. This history shows God’s faithfulness and ultimately the unfaithfulness of the people of Israel.
We Christians also have creeds–the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian. Especially in the Second Article about Jesus, God’s faithful and righteous acts in history are recounted. The Athanasian Creed does not possess as clearly the three articles that constitute the creed; but, in an expanded form tells of the three Persons of the Holy Trinity.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church uses all three creeds. In them is affirmed the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, three persons in One substance.
The witness and apologist holds dear the creeds and remembers them as he proclaims the faith and explains it. Ultimately, many who accept Christ will be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. The Apostles’ Creed is used in Baptism. The adult coming to Baptism affirms this faith. For children, the sponsors do the same.
The “Therefore” that is found in the rehearsal of God’s deeds in Joshua means that those who receive the grace of God live according to His will and worship Him alone. In Baptism this point is made clear. Near the end of the baptismal rite, these familiar words from the Sermon on the Mount are recited, “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Lutheran Book of Worship)
In our witness it is necessary to teach and preach the orthodox faith. The orthodox faith is expressed in the creeds, that summarize the Scriptural teaching. Heresy, or wrong belief, is a bad witness and bad apologetics.
Michael G. Tavella
November 22, 2024
