What is the Athanasian Creed's origin, authorship, and theological structure?
This Creed is named after Athanasius (293 – 373 A.D.), the champion of orthodoxy over against Arian attacks upon the doctrine of the Trinity.
Although Athanasius did not write this Creed and it is improperly named after him, the name persists because until the seventeenth century it was commonly ascribed to him. Another name for it is the Symbol Quicunque, this being its opening word in the Latin original.
Its author is unknown, but in its present form it probably does not date back farther than the sixth century.
It is not from Greek Eastern, but from Latin Western origin, and is not recognized by the Greek Church today.
Apart from the opening and closing sentences, this symbol consists of two parts: the first setting forth the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity (3 – 28), and the second dealing chiefly with the incarnation and the two natures doctrine (29 – 43).
This Creed, though more explicit and advanced theologically than the Apostles’ and the Nicene Creeds, cannot be said to possess the simplicity, spontaneity, and majesty of these.
For centuries, it has been the custom of the Roman and Anglican Churches to chant this Creed in public worship on certain solemn occasions.
The Athanasian Creed
1. Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith;
2. Which faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.
3. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity,
4. Neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance.
5. For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit.
6. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one, the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal.
7. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit.
8. The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated.
9. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible.
10. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal.
11. And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal.
12. As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated, but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.
13. So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Spirit almighty.
14. And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty.
15. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.
16. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.
17. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord.
18. And yet there are not three Lords, but one Lord.
19. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every person by Himself to be both God and Lord,
20. So we are forbidden by the catholic religion to say: there are three Gods, or three Lords.
21. The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten.
22. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created, but begotten.
23. The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
24. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.
25. And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other; none is greater, or less than another;
26. But the whole three persons are co-eternal and co-equal.
27. So that in all things, as aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.
28. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity.
29. Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ .
30. For the right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man,
31. God, of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and man, of the substance of His mother, born in the world;
32. Perfect God and perfect man, of a reasonable soul in human flesh subsisting;
33. Equal to the Father as touching His Godhead; and inferior to the Father, as touching His manhood.
34. Who, although He is God and man, yet He is not two, but one Christ;
35. One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of the manhood into God;
36. One altogether; not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person.
37. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and man is one Christ;
38. Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead.
39. He ascended into heaven, He sitteth on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty,
40. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead;
41. At whose coming all men shall rise with their bodies;
42. And shall give account of their own works.
43. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting, and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.
44. This is the catholic faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved. Amen.