“Reformed churches have a particular way of engaging with creeds and confessions. According to the foundational understanding of the Reformed church—always reforming according to God’s word—creeds and confessions should be received in the present tense. Commemorating the central symbols of the Christian faith means reengaging with what was at stake at the time of their formulation and engaging with what is at stake today,” said the Rev. Dr. Hanns Lessing, executive secretary for communion and theology, World Communion of Reformed Churches.

The year 2025 marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. For centuries, the Nicene Creed has been a cornerstone of the Christian faith, uniting believers across denominational and theological lines. However, in today’s rapidly evolving religious landscape, its role remains an area of active exploration and dialogue. Recognizing the need for a fresh engagement with this historic confession, the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) has launched a landmark publication—a collection of 30 essays reflecting on how the Nicene Creed continues to shape faith, theology, and the mission of the church today.

More than an academic endeavor, this project is a deeply theological and pastoral response to the shifting contexts in which churches find themselves. It approaches the creed not as a static artifact but as a living tradition that speaks meaningfully to contemporary challenges.

Direction and Flexibility in Contributions

A defining feature of this initiative is its balance between structure and openness. Rather than assembling a disparate collection of essays, the publication is being carefully curated to offer a cohesive and dynamic engagement with the Nicene Creed. Scholars and church leaders from diverse traditions and global regions are contributing, ensuring a truly international and ecumenical perspective.

While the project is rooted in a Reformed theological framework, its scope extends beyond Reformed circles, aiming to provide insights beneficial to the wider Christian community. This ecumenical approach fosters dialogue that respects historical confessions while addressing pressing contemporary questions of faith and practice.

Contextualizing the Nicene Creed

One of the key concerns in shaping this project is ensuring that it adequately reflects the major shifts in global Christianity. The growing influence of churches in the Global South, the rise of Pentecostalism, and the realities of post-Christian Europe all necessitate a fresh engagement with historic creeds.

In response, project organizers emphasize that this is not a rigid confessional exercise but rather a Reformed reflection on the Nicene Creed as a theological resource for today’s world. The goal is to explore how the creed continues to inform faith across cultural, social, and theological contexts. By broadening its relevance beyond traditional Western theological frameworks, the project seeks to make the Nicene Creed accessible and applicable to contemporary global Christianity.

The publication is structured around six thematic sections, each addressing a vital aspect of the Nicene Creed’s historical and contemporary significance:

• Ecumenical Conversation on Hermeneutics – Exploring how confessions are interpreted in today’s theological discourse.
• Historical Context and Empire – Examining the role of political power in shaping theological formulations in the early church.
• Theological Development – Investigating the intersection of scriptural traditions and the Nicene Creed.
• Church Order and Governance – Analyzing the impact of Nicene formulations on church polity and governance.
• Confessional Tradition in Reformed Theology – Tracing the influence of the Nicene Creed from the Reformation to the present.
• Mission and Teaching of the Church – Exploring the contemporary implications of the creed for faith, ministry, and social engagement.

Emerging Thematic Concerns

As discussions unfold, two emerging themes are gaining attention:

• Humanity and Artificial Intelligence: What does it mean to be human in an age of AI? How does the Nicene Creed’s understanding of the incarnation and human dignity inform contemporary discussions on technology and identity?
• Pentecostal Engagement: Given the rapid global growth of Pentecostalism and its diverse approaches to creeds, this project will incorporate perspectives from Pentecostal theologians to enrich the conversation.

Audience and Accessibility

Recognizing the importance of reaching a broad audience, the project is designed to be accessible to a wide range of readers. While maintaining theological depth, contributions are intentionally written in a way that lay readers, ordained ministers, and theologians alike can engage meaningfully with the material. Affordability and accessibility are also key priorities. WCRC is actively exploring options for open-access publishing or subsidized distribution, particularly for churches in the Global South, to ensure the book reaches as many readers as possible.

Collaborative Process and Timeline

Contributors are working in coordinated groups to refine their approaches, with the editorial process fostering dialogue across sections to ensure a holistic and integrated final product.

This publication is more than a historical reflection; it is an urgent and timely engagement with one of Christianity’s foundational statements of faith. By bridging historical tradition with contemporary challenges, the project affirms that the Nicene Creed is not merely a relic of the past but a living, breathing confession that continues to shape Christian identity and mission.

True to the Reformed principle of semper reformanda—always being reformed according to God’s Word—this initiative seeks to renew and reinvigorate engagement with the Nicene Creed, ensuring that it speaks meaningfully to today’s church. Through this collaborative effort, scholars, church leaders, and theologians from diverse backgrounds are coming together to reimagine the role of the Nicene Creed in today’s world—ensuring that it remains a relevant and transformative force in Christian faith and practice.

Stay tuned for further updates as this exciting project moves closer to publication.