Creed ז

Creed ז [∞]

Historic Creeds that Summarize the Text:

1. The Nicene Creed: The Nicene Creed speaks of the eternal plan of God and Christ's work in the world. It doesn't explicitly mention the "bride" concept, but it touches on the idea of the Church as part of God's eternal purpose: "We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church." This reflects the universal and eternal plan of God for the Church, which parallels the bride imagery.
2. The Apostles' Creed: Similar to the Nicene Creed, the Apostles' Creed emphasizes the universal Church but does not elaborate on the bride concept. The notion that Christ "rose from the dead" and "will come to judge the living and the dead" can be connected to the final union of the bride and the Bridegroom, as envisioned in the Scriptures.
3. The Belgic Confession: The Belgic Confession has a focus on the doctrine of the Church, emphasizing its nature as the body of Christ, which is connected to the idea of the Church as the bride. "We believe and profess that the Church is a congregation of true Christian believers..." This echoes the concept of the bride being the congregation chosen by Christ.
4. The Westminster Confession of Faith: While the Westminster Confession does not directly mention the bride of Christ, it does emphasize the eternal covenant and plan of God. The doctrine of election (in Chapter 3) supports the idea that God chose His bride (the Church) before the foundation of the world.

Proposed Creed Inspired by Biblical Themes and Sensus Plenior Principles:

Creed of the Bride Chosen Before Time

1. We believe in the One True God, who, before the foundation of the world, chose us to be His holy and blameless bride, in love, through the eternal wisdom and grace of His plan.
2. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Lamb slain before the creation of the world, whose love for His bride—the Church—was revealed in time, through His life, death, and resurrection. He gave Himself up for her, that she might be made holy and perfect in His sight.
3. We believe that the Church, hidden in the mystery of God's eternal plan, was revealed in Christ, and that through Him, we are united with God and one another in a sacred covenant of love and grace.
4. We believe that the Church is Christ's bride, chosen and prepared to meet Him at His glorious return. In anticipation of that day, we await the final consummation of our union with Him, when He will present us as His holy bride, without spot or wrinkle.
5. We believe that, from before time began, God promised eternal life to His bride, and that this promise, fulfilled in Christ, is the hope of our salvation and the foundation of our faith.
6. We believe in the eternal plan of God, which has always included the Church as the bride of Christ, and that in the fullness of time, all things will be united in Him, and we shall be revealed as His radiant bride, prepared for the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Amen.

Novel Ideas Identified:

• Bride Imagery in the Old Testament: The concept of the Church as the bride of Christ is rooted in Scripture, with several key verses from the Old and New Testaments reinforcing this idea. The understanding of the church as the bride chosen before time reveals a deeper connection to God's eternal plan.
• Eternal Plan of God: The creed highlights the eternal nature of God's plan for the Church, choosing the bride before the foundation of the world, an idea that ties together God's foreknowledge and His active role in salvation history.
• Sensus Plenior of the Bride: The hidden mystery of the bride, revealed in Christ, is an example of sensus plenior—the fuller meaning—unfolding through Scripture. This deeper, hidden meaning of the bride is not only revealed in the New Testament but is part of God's eternal purpose.

Elucidation Needs:

• Further Exploration of the Bride Metaphor: While the bride metaphor is well-established in the New Testament, further exploration of how this image develops in the Old Testament would help strengthen the connection between the church as the bride and God's people throughout history.
• Connection to the Covenant: A deeper understanding of the covenant between God and His people as it relates to the bride metaphor could be helpful. How does the idea of God's covenantal promises to Israel prefigure the relationship between Christ and the Church?
• The Role of the Holy Spirit in Preparing the Bride: While the sacrifice of Christ and the Church's preparation as the bride are emphasized, the role of the Holy Spirit in preparing the Church for this union could be explored more thoroughly. How does the Holy Spirit work to sanctify the bride in anticipation of the final wedding feast?