What
We Believe
Almost every Christian church has a statement or statements of its
fundamental beliefs. These are often called articles of religion
or articles of doctrine. (The word "doctrine" simply means
"teaching.") In this section of the United Church website,
important statements of our doctrine are presented. These historic
statements have a unique defining role in the faith of the church.
At the same time their authority is not unlimited. From the beginning,
those who envisioned the United Church believed that Christians
could distinguish between "the substance of the faith"
and all particular (e.g., denominationally or culturally specific)
expressions of it.
For our forebears, this meant that there would be an ongoing clarification
of this substance through periodic restatement, given changing context
and challenges. Successive generations in the church have shared
this outlook on the ongoing task of restatement. Thus in 1940 the
9th General Council adopted "A
Statement of Faith," and in 1968 the 23rd General Council
adopted "A
New Creed." Currently the Committee on Theology and Faith
is beginning work on the draft of "a timely and contextual
statement of faith," as mandated by the 37th General Council.
Below
follows the most recent interpretation of the ongoing task of restating
the faith, as expressed by the November 1997 meeting of the Executive
of General Council:
Three words are helpful in clarifying the place of doctrinal standards
in The United Church -- continuity, context and diversity.
1. Continuity
The doctrine of The United Church of Canada is set forth in two
basic documents, the Basis
of Union (1925) and the Statement of Faith (1940). As well,
"A New Creed" (1968) is an affirmation of faith used widely
in our worship. These standards are authorized by General Councils
and belong uniquely to the unfolding life of the United Church.
Yet we do not seek to stand alone. As members of one body of Christ,
we acknowledge our Reformation heritage and the teaching of the
creeds of the ancient church (particularly the Apostles'*
and Nicene*
Creeds). Our membership in the World
Council of Churches* today links us to a fellowship of churches
"which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according
to the Scriptures". Above all, we trace our continuity in faith
to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, whose witness is
the ultimate standard for Christian faith and life.
2. Context
The Statement of Faith of 1940 reminds us that "the Church's
faith is the unchanging Gospel of God's holy, redeeming love in
Jesus Christ". It also declares that each new generation is
called to state this gospel afresh, "in terms of the thought
of their own age and with the emphasis their age needs". The
call to renew our confession has led us not only to the Statement
of 1940, but also to "A New Creed" and to other statements
such as "The Lordship of Jesus" (1978) and "The Authority
and Interpretation of Scripture"(1992). No single statement
or creed can capture all that may be required of the church to make
the good confession in a new context. Our claim that "Jesus
is Lord" must be a timely one. The journey of a pilgrim people
goes on.
3. Diversity
Based on the understanding that the Bible is the ultimate standard
for our faith, the creeds and confessions formulated by the church
can only possess a "subordinate authority". Thus, membership
in the church is based on a profession of faith and not on a credal
subscription or test. New members are asked to profess their faith
in the triune God and to commit themselves to faithful conduct in
church and world. What is required additionally of those being ordained
or commissioned in the United Church is "essential agreement"
with the doctrinal articles of the Basis of Union.
We have doctrinal standards and attempt to set them forth in continuity
with the Biblical faith. But our grasp on the truth of God is finite
and fallible, and we do not believe that faithfulness consists in
assenting to particular statements. Rarely, if ever, do we use doctrinal
standards to exclude anyone from the circle of belonging. Rather
we lift up Jesus Christ and his way, saying to all who seek God's
grace and service, "Come and see."
From
the United Church of Canada Web Site
http://www.united-church.ca/ucc/webelieve.shtm
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