Primal Credo is a fresh, modern reading of the Apostles' Creed. Some followers of Christ have never heard of the creed and others recite the creed Sunday after Sunday without giving it much thought. This book will help new Christians and seasoned saints enter into the creed and discover our DNA as believers in Jesus Christ.
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Primal Credo brings to light an ancient creed for these modern times.
The Apostles’ Creed is an entry point into God's story. From “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth” to “I believe in…the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting” the Apostles' Creed provides a helpful synopsis of God's story recorded in Scripture. Both the creed and the Scriptures are gifts from the historic church to the contemporary church. The creed works to keep us focused on the big ideas of the Bible, namely God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The creed has been around nearly as long as there has been a Christian Church and for centuries followers of Christ have looked to the creed as a guide to weed out wrong ideas about God, creation, Jesus, salvation, and the end of human history. This book offers a compelling reflection on the Apostles’ Creed, guiding the reader through the language of the creed without big, hard-to-understand, theological words.
Primal Credo allows everyday Christians to understand and live out the essentials of the Christian faith.
From the Introduction:
Derek writes, “I pray God uses this little book to connect present-day followers of Jesus with an ancient faith so we can grow together in our love for God and each other. The creed gives us a way to explore an ancient faith, a faith that’s been long abandoned. This book is my reflection on the Apostles’ Creed, a new reading of the creed. I do not assume to offer an individual or subjective reading of the creed. I am indebted to the dozens and dozens of writers, thinkers, theologians, pastors, mentors, and friends who have influenced my perspective on the creed and the Christian life.”
Praise for Primal Credo:
Don’t just read this book. Live it. In Primal Credo, Derek Vreeland provides a vehicle for personal and group study. Witty, scholarly, pastoral and above all, accessible, Primal Credo gives professional and layman alike a deeply personal interaction with a touchstone of the Christian faith. Today the creed is finding whole new audiences as Christians rediscover its pithy encapsulation of orthodoxy. In this concise study, Vreeland proves an apt and engaging companion for that discovery.
—Walter Rogero
Pastor, Calvary Gospel Church of the Assemblies of God
Arlington, Virginia
In Primal Credo, Derek Vreeland offers the world an engaging reading of the Apostles’ Creed. He writes well and crafts vivid images to convey the power and importance of a creed that many repeat weekly without reflecting on its true meaning. He weaves theological reflection around illustrations drawn from the best of modern and ancient sources. To drive home his writing, Vreeland ends each chapter with discussion questions that will help individuals and groups to go deeper in their own journey with God. I happily endorse Primal Credo and hope that it gains a wide audience.
—Brian D. Russell, Ph.D.
Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary
Orlando, Florida
Primal Credo is an excellent blend of theology and practicality. Smart, contemporary, and concise, Derek invites us to explore doctrine that is not only essential but also warm and personal. As someone responsible for the spiritual formation of a congregation, I will be suggesting Primal Credo as a resource for small groups and other avenues of discipleship.
—Dr. Sam Nunnally
Minister of Discipleship and Family, First United Methodist Church
Thomasville, Georgia
Growing up and now serving in a tradition that has not historically embraced creeds, Primal Credo has encouraged me to consider the words of the Apostles’ Creed as a reminder of the good faith we embrace. Through the words of this book, Derek helps encourage us to drink deeply of the goodness of our God and celebrate the manner in which He chooses to work in humanity. I would encourage you to read this book, but not just as another text. No, read and worship as you walk through the pages of this book.
—Micah Fries
Lead Pastor, Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church
St. Joseph, Missouri
Postmodern people are happily rediscovering spirituality, but they must wonder where faith might find authentic roots. Vreeland's guidance through the creed offers a fresh connection to the apostolic faith and community. These meditations take us to the heart of how Jesus' early disciples understood his message and still bear witness to it today.
—Brad Jersak
Author / Teacher, Fresh Wind Christian Fellowship
Abbotsford, British Columbia
My good friend Derek Vreeland and I come from different backgrounds, but as he parses the Creed of the Apostles he, as we say down here in the South, "makes it preach." He weaves scholarly insight with common folk wisdom for these modern times, bridging the gaps of our differences and joining us in the communion of the saints. I would encourage all of my radical friends to take this journey with Derek where you will learn from Primal Credo the truths that we need to embrace and share.
—Kirk Lyman-Barner, M.Div., M.B.A.
Director of Covenant Partner Development and
Faith Builders Programs, The Fuller Center for Housing
Americus, Georgia
If you desire to go deeper in your walk with God, Primal Credo is a must read. This book is relevant and thoughtful. As Christians, we too often look for the new and the trendy while paying little attention to the power of the past. Derek has provided a livable guide from an ancient creed, one that can help you personally reconnect with, and find new meaning from, the basic theological foundations of the Christian faith. I highly recommend this book.
—Dr. Stephen Gray
Church Planting Director, Free Methodist Church
Austin, Texas
To examine old truths in a contemporary setting is what Derek has accomplished in Primal Credo. The Christian creeds are full of truth. Truth understood can be believed, and authentic belief in God’s Truth begets “joy inexpressible and full of glory…” So join him in this wonderful and instructive journey through the ancient creed.
—Darrell Chatraw
Pastor, Bay Area Vineyard Church
Milton, Florida
By revisiting the historic Apostles’ Creed, Derek Vreeland provides a helpful guide for those who want to know more about the faith they adhere to. He very clearly and carefully articulates and expands the pregnant truths held in the creed. For those who are working out their faith, this book provides an excellent entry into primal Christian doctrine. Reading this book leads the reader out of confusion and onto firmer ground.
—Santosh Ninan
Lead Pastor, Heritage Mountain Community Church
Port Moody, British Columbia
Derek Vreeland has given a great gift to the modern church, especially those of us from traditions that are not overtly creedal. In his book Primal Credo, Derek pens a clear, thoughtful, and passionate explanation of the Apostles’ Creed and why it is a crucial guide for Christians today. If you, like me, have ever believed that creeds were lifeless and irrelevant, this book will deepen your faith and show you what you are missing.
—Jim Vining
Associate Pastor, Elmbrook Church
Brookfield, WI
With this book, Derek Vreeland provides a powerful antidote to the overly spiritualized and individualized gospel that is all too prevalent in our culture. Saying “yes” to Jesus involves actually following him (with his other followers), being baptized into the body of Christ, and believing certain things about Jesus Christ – and not just any “christ,” but the unique, particular Jesus Christ of the Scriptures – the hero, focus, and center of both the Apostles’ Creed and our faith. I highly recommend this book.
—Joseph S. Beach
Pastor, Amazing Grace Church
Englewood, Colorado
The Apostles’ Creed is truly Good News! In this book, Derek Vreeland provides a service to our evangelical community by helping us better understand the creed. We are reminded of the beauty of our salvation. More importantly, we are reminded of the beauty of the God who has provided that salvation in Christ Jesus.
—Todd Lowery
Pastor, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Americus, Georgia
If you ever wanted to find out more about what the core beliefs of the early church mean for twenty-first century believers, this is a book for you. Don't be put off by the Latin title or the old-sounding subject matter. This book is a clearly, concisely, and poetically written navigation through some of the earliest recorded boundary lines of the Christian faith. Derek Vreeland writes with a Bible in one hand and an iPad in the other. Relevantly written and engaging. Let this book help you on your journey.
—Chris Anthony
Leader, Faith Life Centre
Manchester, UK
In Primal Credo, Derek Vreeland opens the gift passed down to us from the early Christians, and makes the Apostles’ Creed accessible and real. As I read, I'm continually drawn into the story of the early church and the foresight that would cause persecuted people to erect landmarks of truth for our benefit. I highly recommend this book.
—Rocky Russell
Pastor, Access Church
Asheville, North Carolina
