The attributes of the true church in the Nicene Creed and its relevance for ecumenism
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21609612 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sarel P van der Walt (0000-0001-9291-2223, North-West University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Publication date | 2026-06-30 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1018-6441 • E-ISSN: 2305-0853 |
| Publisher | AOSIS (PUBLISHER • ZA) |
| DOI | 10.4102/ids.v60i2.3271 |
| OpenAlex | W7140125708 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 10 |
The Nicene Creed, formulated during the Councils of Nicaea (AD 325) and Constantinople (AD 381), offers a foundational statement of Christian faith, expressing key theological tenets about God, Christ, and the church. Among its most distinctive affirmations is the declaration of the ‘one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church’. These four marks – unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity – are regarded as essential characteristics of the true church in Christian theology. Unity reflects the church’s oneness in faith and communion; holiness its divine foundation and sanctifying mission; catholicity its universality and inclusiveness; and apostolicity its continuity with the teachings of the apostles. Contribution: In the context of ecumenism, these marks play a crucial role in fostering dialogue and reconciliation among divided Christian denominations. While differences in doctrine, worship, and governance exist, the marks provide a common theological framework for discussion between Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions. By focusing on these shared principles, the Nicene Creed serves as a potential foundation for healing divisions and fostering greater unity among Christian communities globally, encouraging mutual understanding and cooperation in the pursuit of Christ’s mission
Acknowledgement · Christianity · Creed · Declaration · Ecumenism · Gospel · Protestantism · Catholicism and Religious Studies · Christian Theology and Mission · Global Development and Urbanization
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |