With all due respect Peter, I see the character of Jesus in some of my atheist friends, but does this define them as “Christians?” I suppose the bigger question is, What is the definition of someone as “Christian,” or a member of the “people of God?”

Credal or confessional formulas have always been an important aspect to the identity of the community of believers. Some examples include the taditional formula which Paul cites to remind his Corinthian converts of what he had “delivered” to them (1 Cor 15:3), or Justin Martyr’s summary reference to “Jesus Christ, who came in our times, was crucified, and died, rose again…” (1 Apol 42.4).

In the early Church, the Credal formulas were also very prominent as a confession of faith, which constituted the formula of baptism. Candidates for baptism were asked a series of questions as they stood in the water, to each of which they replied “I believe.” The baptismal confession then, was the basis of the individual’s membership in the community and, in consequence, the most fundamental expression of the community’s self understanding.

Soon after, the creedal formulas were formed not as questions, but as direct declarations on the part of the believer. Hence, the formulas were broadly defined in councils to help unify churches around the Mediterranean.

The Creeds then and now, served as an integral part in the membership and identity of the community. — A belief system, to unify and ground the community’s allegiance and self understanding. Without this, we are just a community of people who call the name of “Jesus,” however we see fit to define him, and allegiance to the scriptures, however we see fit to interpret them.

del dominus