Book Review: Credo by Ray Pritchard

Date April 23, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

As Christians, what do we believe? If we can begin to
articulate our beliefs, do they have any impact in our lives? In Credo,
author Ray Pritchard looks to the Apostles Creed as an exceptional answer to
these questions. He gives three reasons we should to this creed: “First, it is
the oldest and most widely accepted… Second, it offers a broad survey of
Christian doctrine… Third, the Creed offers a radical challenge to the
skepticism of this generation.” (17)

After introducing the Creed, each chapter examines it
line-by-line, resulting in 19 chapters ranging from 7 to 13 pages each. Each
chapter explains what is meant in each line, ways we can understand it, and
what it means for our lives. The importance of practical application is made
apparent throughout the book. “This is more than a doctrinal statement. It’s a
declaration of your personal commitment to what the Creed says… The world will
not be moved by a halfhearted commitment to things we don’t really believe.” (207-8)

Ray Pritchard does an excellent job explaining what’s at
stake in each part of the Creed. For example, in discussing the virgin birth,
he explains that “in order for Christ to be our Savior, three conditions had to
be met: He must be a man… He must be an infinite man… He must be an innocent
man.” (63) He doesn’t shy away from the most controversial part of the Creed-
the idea that Jesus descended into hell. Instead, he thoughtfully describes
what it cannot mean, what it might mean, and what it must mean.

Not only is each doctrine thoughtfully addressed, but
application is made by asking what difference they make for us. In covering the
practical issues as well, Ray Pritchard does a great job making the Apostles
Creed come alive, which is necessary in a Christian culture that’s forgetting
its roots. Credo recommits these ancient truths to our hearts and minds
in a meaningful and accessible style.

Related posts:

  1. Book Review: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit by Bruce Ware
  2. Book Review: Spiritual Birthline by Stephen E. Smallman
  3. Book Review: Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
  4. Book Review: The Deep Things of God by Fred Sanders
  5. Book Review: Sex and the Supremacy of Christ ed by. John Piper and Justin Taylor
  6. Book Review: The Power of Integrity by John MacArthur

Category Posted in Book Reviews, Main Page, Roger's Posts, Theology

2 Responses to “Book Review: Credo by Ray Pritchard”

  1. Anonymous said:

    April 23rd, 2006 at 11:32 pm

    Thanks for your very kind review of Credo. I will link to it on the weekly sermon that I send out to 2400 people each week. Hopefully it will draw some new readers to the A-Team Blog, which I am glad to say is already part of my Blogroll. If my book helps introduce a new generation to the Apostles' Creed, I will count it as time well spent. Thanks for all you are doing on this blog to advance the cause of Christ in our day. Ray Pritchard

  2. Anonymous said:

    April 24th, 2006 at 10:28 pm

    Thanks Dr. Pritchard!
    That's exactly why I think your book is important. The Creed is incredibly useful, yet very underappreciated. We never had anything to do with it at the church where I grew up- our creed was “no creed but Jesus.” I fear too many have adopted that creed, at the expense of something truly valuable. Thanks for contending for the faith once delivered to the saints!

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.