Confessing the One Faith in Many Tongues

Abstract

This article critically reflects on the historical and cultural implications of the Nicene Creed, focusing on its relevance in non-Western contexts. It explores the Creed not just as a theological concept but also as a tool that has influenced both ecumenical unity and hegemonic power dynamics, especially in Indigenous and colonial encounters. After outlining the Creed's role in settling debates about the nature of the relationship between the Father and the Son, while acknowledging the Creed's later global and liturgical adoption, the article critically examines the interaction between the Nicene Creed and Indigenous faith traditions. It then reflects on a possible continuity between African traditional religions and the Christian faith, focusing on the relationship of the Father and the Son. The article concludes that creeds need to be continuously reinterpreted in diverse cultural contexts and the ecumenical fellowship and advocates for a more nuanced approach to the apostolic faith, where the Nicene Creed becomes a decolonizing tool, allowing Indigenous theological perspectives to reshape how the Christian faith interacts not only with local traditions but also with the modern world. Ultimately, the article calls for an ongoing reflection on the triune God's self-revelation to avoid the hardening of confessions as witness into creeds as a colonizing and excluding tool.