For several months I have been considering posting something regarding my religious views. I’m still working on that but for now I would like to post something that sums up much of my views. It is one of my favorite songs Creed by Rich Mullins & Beaker. It is from the Album A Liturgy, A Legacy and A Ragamuffin Band. Among other influences Mullins music and life was influenced by Brennan Manning and his book The Ragamuffin Gospel. Yes, I am aware that it is essentially the Apostles Creed set to music.
Creed
By Rich Mullins and Beaker
I believe in God the Father
Almighty Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, our Lord
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
Born of the virgin Mary
Suffered under Pontius Pilate
He was crucified and dead and buried
And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man
I believe that He who suffered was crucified, buried, and dead
He descended into hell and on the third day, rose again
He ascended into Heaven where He sits at God’s mighty right hand
I believe that He’s returning
To judge the quick and the dead of the sons of men
And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it
I believe it, I believe it
I believe in God the Father
Almighty Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, our Lord
I believe in the Holy Spirit
One Holy Church
The communion of Saints
The forgiveness of sin
I believe in the resurrection
I believe in a life that never ends
And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
I did not make it, no it is making me
I said I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man
I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it
One of the most profound statements of this song is:
And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am,
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man
As much as some try to compartmentalize their faith, at least for me my faith is an important part of who I am. My beliefs as a Christian have greatly impacted who I am. In fact I believe that a faith does not affect one’s daily life is not very useful.
The Dee Zone 
I love this! Thamk you for visiting and commenting so I could find your blog!
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Glad you liked it.
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This is one of my favorite Christian artists, and Creed remains one of his best songs. Awesome God is an incredible song.
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I know this isn’t very Baptist of me to say, but I wish we said the creeds in church.
I, too, like this song, but I like Third Day’s version better. That’s just me, I’ve always been a 3D fan….
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Natedog: agreed
Alan: Heard someone comment years ago that because Baptist’s weren’t a creedal people for years we had used hymns to transmit theology. Since we don’t use hymns anymore we are loosing even that. I think creeds and catachisms would be good to incorperate in our Baptist churches.
Third Day is my number 1 all time favorite band. Rich Mullins was may favorite solo artists.
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Yeah, I’m not much of a fan of Christian music, but I do love Third Day.
Anyway, I think that the hymn thing is probably the case. And the argument could be made that some hymns became liturgy. But not only do we not sing hymns in many churches, many of the hymns we sing aren’t overly sound theologically anyway. The book I reviewed a while back, Robert Letham’s The Holy Trinity, pointed out how few hymns are Trinitarian in nature–the main thing that the Nicene Creed intended to teach. And most “modern hymns” are just as pitiful as many of the “praise choruses.”
Anyway, on the post, I do admire Mullins for his talent, but his music just doesn’t often do it for me. I am glad, however, that he put the Apostle’s Creed to music and that 3D redid it.
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I agree- that last part you posted is a very profound statement!
Our Happy Happenings
Livin’ With Me
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Alan,
The person whom I was referring to about hymns was Dr. William J. Reynolds, aka Mr. Baptist hymnals. I had him toward the ends of his teaching career and he was out of touch with the younger generations on many levels but on that he was correct. Several years ago we attended the contemparory/young adult service at St. John’s of Chauncy (spelling) Anglican in Vancouver, BC I was impressed with the quality of the praise music they used. I realize that St. John’s is not the typical church at that time J.I. Packer was the senior pastor.
This is off topic sort of but have you ever read Gordon Fee’s essay on being a Trinitarian Christian?
Did you ever see Mullins in concert? What impressed me more about Mullins was his lifestyle. I’m not knocking Mac and the boys either.
Melanie,
Thanks. I really enjoyed your blogs.
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Dee, I’m agreeing that hymns are the way we’ve passed on theology. And that’s usually a complaint from those who are adamant about hymns. But I hate almost all hymns written since 1900 (not all, but almost). They paved the way for shallow praise music. Good thing is that it seems the call has been noticed about the need for good, theological praise and worship music.
I haven’t read Fee’s essay. Letham’s book has convicted me about my lack of Trinitarianism, albeit implicit. I’ll see if I can find Fee’s essay.
I never saw Mullins in concert. I think he died shortly after I became a Christian, so most of what I know of him is from after that fact. And of course, I’m not knocking Mullins either. His music just isn’t as enjoyable to me for some reason.
-Alan
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Alan,
Are you familiar with BB McKinney’s hymns? The tune name of the tune identifies where or what the hymn was written. For example Travis Ave was for a church in Ft Worth. Truett was written for SWBTS. Falls Creek aka Wherever He Leads I’ll Go was written for Falls Creek Baptist Assembly in Ok. In a small week the camp runs 5,000+ youth making it one of the largest youth camps in the country.
Mullins made a drastic change mid-way through his career. He started out as one of Amy Grant’s keyboard ist, the other was Smitty. Mullins got caught up in the glitz for a while. His music got much deeper after he realized it was about ministry. Mullins was a Quaker and a very deep thinker. You many not enjoy listening to his music but take some time to read the lyrics of some of his stuff. His music started changing with World As Best I remember it Vol. 1. In his later years he put out some projects that the record companies wouldn’t pay for because it wasn’t a money maker. One of his last projects was Canticle of the Plains. Ok, I’ll stop now since my age is probably showing.
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Haha….your age isn’t showing….
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Good. Of course, people usually underestimate my age. Now it is ok but it was frustrating when I was 21-23 and being stopped by truancy officers.
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Beautiful beliefs Dee, I agree with you [“I believe that a faith that does not affect one’s daily life is not very useful.”]
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Thank you. Wish I could take credit for writing them.
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This post rings pretty true. I love doctrine and scripture set to music. And you are right, since we are losing the hymns more and more, we are losing an aspect of our worship that communicates that. Anyhow, I wrote a post similar in subject to your last paragraph and thought you might be interested:
http://timmyjohnboy.com/?p=76
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TimmyJohn,
Don’t know what you have on your blog but it was blocked by my fliters
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