Disclaimer: We share this sample
creed from a movement among the Masai in Africa, not as a model to be emulated,
but simply an example of how one group formulated a creed after a certain
period of time. It may be other groups
will not need creeds and will communicate the essence of their biblical faith
among themselves through Biblical stories, poetry, narratives, songs, prayers,
rituals, Scripture readings or yet unknown creative means.
Activity: Look at the following
example of indigenous theologizing, noting significant themes.
An African Creed
We believe in the One High God, who
out of love created the beautiful world and everything good in it. He created man and wanted man to be happy in
the world. God loves the world and every
nation and tribe on the earth. We have
known this High God in the darkness, and now we know him in the light. God promised in the book of his word, the
Bible, that he would save the world and all the nations and tribes.
We believe that God, made good his
promise by sending his son, Jesus Christ, a man in the flesh, a Jew by tribe,
born poor in a little village, who left his home and always was on safari doing
good, curing people by the power of God, teaching about God and man, showing
that the meaning of religion is love. He was rejected by his people, tortured
and nailed hands and feet to a cross, and died.
He lay buried in the grave, but the hyenas did not touch him, and on the
3rd day he rose from the grave.
He ascended to the skies. He is
the Lord.
We believe that all our sins are
forgiven through him. All who have faith
in him must be sorry for their sins, be baptized in the Holy Spirit of God,
live the rules of love and share the bread together in love, to announce the
Good News to others until Jesus comes again. We are waiting for him. He is alive.
He lives. This we believe. Amen.
(from Christianity Rediscovered by Vincent Donovan, p. 200)
