The Nicene Creed: A Historic Anchor, not a Complete Compass

In recent years, discussions within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) have reignited interest in the Nicene Creed, particularly following a 2024 proposal to add it to the Baptist Faith and Message (BF&M). While the Creed serves as a valuable historical anchor for Christian orthodoxy, it is crucial to recognize its limitations and the ongoing need to define and defend the gospel.

The Nicene Creed and Its Limits

The Nicene Creed, formulated in 325 A.D. and expanded in 381 A.D., was designed to combat heresies that denied the full divinity of Christ and clarify the doctrine of the Trinity. It remains one of the most universally recognized statements of Christian faith, embraced by Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and many Protestants alike.

However, affirming the Creed does not guarantee fidelity to the gospel. Roman Catholicism, for instance, embraces the Nicene Creed but has historically distorted the gospel by adding human works, sacramental merit, and ecclesiastical authority as conditions for salvation. The Creed alone establishes orthodoxy in the what of God’s nature but does not protect against distortions of the how of salvation—grace alone through faith in Christ alone.

This is precisely why Reformation theology insisted on returning to Scripture to define and defend the gospel: the church must not only confess Christ’s divinity but also uphold the biblical means of salvation. Even today, Christians must continue to clarify the gospel, ensuring that historic truths are neither diluted nor misapplied.

Southern Baptists and the Call to Nicene Unity

The 2024 proposal to include the Nicene Creed in the BF&M reflects a desire among some Southern Baptists to reaffirm historic orthodoxy. While the Creed provides a helpful framework for uniting around shared beliefs about God, it cannot replace careful attention to gospel clarity. Affirming Nicene orthodoxy must go hand-in-hand with affirming Reformation truths: salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Importantly, the very existence of the Baptist Faith and Message demonstrates the ongoing need to develop and defend truth. The BF&M was created not merely to summarize Christian belief, but to articulate and clarify doctrine in response to theological error. Its history shows that Christianity is not static; as heresies and distortions arise, the church must continually define and uphold truth. Nicene unity can be a part of that effort, but it cannot substitute for the careful, ongoing work of defending the gospel in the life of the church.

Defending Truth in a Fragmented Church

If truth must be continually defended, defined, and clarified, what does unity look like in a fragmented church landscape? Christianity today is divided not only across broad streams—Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Catholic—but also within those streams, with dozens or even hundreds of denominations, conferences, and independent groups.

Here are a few guiding principles for maintaining unity without compromising truth:

1. Focus on the Essentials: Unity is possible around the core doctrines of Christianity—who God is, who Christ is, and how salvation is accomplished. These essentials can form a foundation for cooperation, dialogue, and mutual respect, even amid secondary differences.
2. Maintain Clarity in the Gospel: While cooperation and fellowship are important, they must never come at the cost of compromising the gospel. Defending and defining truth is a precondition for meaningful unity.
3. Draw Appropriate Boundaries: Unity does not mean agreeing on everything. It is appropriate to recognize when someone is not a Christian or to divide denominationally over significant theological issues, such as baptism or the Lord’s Supper. At the same time, Christians should exercise charity on lesser truths, avoiding unnecessary division over secondary matters like worship style or minor doctrinal interpretations.
4. Practice Charity and Patience: Recognizing diversity within the body of Christ requires humility. Christians can agree to disagree on non-essential matters while celebrating the shared confession of Christ’s work.
5. Promote Reformation Principles: Across denominations, a commitment to Scripture as the final authority, and salvation by grace alone through faith alone, provides a unifying framework that transcends cultural and denominational divisions.

Unity in the church is therefore both possible and necessary, but it is grounded in truth, not merely in shared rituals or creeds. The Nicene Creed is a helpful historical anchor, but it must be paired with a living, robust commitment to the gospel as revealed in Scripture. Only then can Christians maintain both fidelity to truth and meaningful fellowship across a fragmented church landscape.

Conclusion: Unity Rooted in Truth

The Nicene Creed remains an invaluable tool for affirming the historic faith, but it cannot substitute for a living, faithful commitment to the gospel. Roman Catholics and others may affirm the Creed while distorting salvation, reminding us that unity around words is not enough. Southern Baptists’ discussions about adding the Creed to the BF&M highlight the ongoing need to define and defend truth clearly, guarding against error while fostering unity.

True Christian unity is not uniformity, but a shared commitment to the essentials of the faith, careful defense of the gospel, and wise boundaries where necessary. In a fragmented church, we can stand together around Christ, proclaim the gospel boldly, and still navigate diversity with charity. The Creed is a compass, but the gospel is the path—and that path must always lead to grace alone through faith in Christ alone.