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What’s in a Creed? A New Perspective on Old Texts

  • Wolfram Kinzig

Abstract

In recent years, scholarship on credal texts and formulae has made much progress. In this process, the traditional view about the origin of the Roman creed in particular has come under intense scrutiny. Furthermore, recent studies have, for example, focussed on the influence of the Roman emperors on the development of the creeds and on their use in liturgy and in everyday life. Finally, many new relevant texts have been published. This paper explores to what extent these new insights have changed our overall view of the origin and history of the creeds since J. N. D. Kelly’s famous monograph Early Christian Creeds (third ed. 1972). It reaches the conclusion that it is time for a ‘New Perspective’ on the creeds.

Abstract

In recent years, scholarship on credal texts and formulae has made much progress. In this process, the traditional view about the origin of the Roman creed in particular has come under intense scrutiny. Furthermore, recent studies have, for example, focussed on the influence of the Roman emperors on the development of the creeds and on their use in liturgy and in everyday life. Finally, many new relevant texts have been published. This paper explores to what extent these new insights have changed our overall view of the origin and history of the creeds since J. N. D. Kelly’s famous monograph Early Christian Creeds (third ed. 1972). It reaches the conclusion that it is time for a ‘New Perspective’ on the creeds.

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