What Christians Ought to Believe, Second Edition
An Introduction to Christian Doctrine through the Apostles' Creed
- Theology
- Publisher: Zondervan Academic (Zondervan)
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
The Apostles' Creed is a treasure trove of basic Christian beliefs and wisdom that helps ensure the integrity and orthodoxy of our faith. Sadly, modern churches have often hesitated to embrace the ancient creeds because of our "nothing but the Bible" tradition. In What Christians Ought to Believe, Second Edition Michael Bird will open your eyes to the possibilities of the Apostles' Creed as a way to explore and understand the essential teachings of the Christian faith. This updated edition enhances the explanations to provide even more thorough expositions and illustrations of the basic tenets of Christian faith and tackles questions such as: Are the creeds biblical? Why do churches still need the creeds? How can the creeds invigorate my faith? Bringing together theological commentary, tips for application, and memorable illustrations, What Christians Ought to Believe, Second Edition summarizes the basic tenets of the Christian faith using the Apostles' Creed as its entryway. After first emphasizing the importance of creeds for the formation of the Christian faith, each chapter, following the Creed's outline, introduces the Father, the Son, and the Spirit and the Church. An appendix includes the Apostles' Creed in the original Latin and Greek, as well as the Nicene Creed. What Christians Ought to Believe, Second Edition is ideally suited for both the classroom and the church setting to teach beginning students and laypersons the basics of what Christians ought to affirm if they are to be called Christians.
Endorsements (4)
“The Apostles’ Creed is chiseled in stone in the chapel of Beeson Divinity School, and every candidate for admission is asked to write an essay on it. Thank you, Michael Bird, for a fresh exposition of this classic expression of our Christian faith. Thank you for reminding us of what too many Protestants, evangelicals no less than liberals, have forgotten: creeds matter!”
“You know what I love about Michael? He writes in a colorful, accessible, and engaging way even though he is a scholar of epic proportions; he writes to regular people like me. I’m going to take the staff of Transformation Church through What Christians Ought to Believe and I will use it to introduce new Christians to the faith.”
“The genius of this book is the way in which it makes profound truth a pleasure to read. The general reader will be both engaged and richly encouraged by Bird’s winsome exploration of the Apostles’ Creed. His direct and even chatty style makes you feel as if you are visiting an ancient cathedral in the company of a friendly and yet knowledgeable tour guide. I would commend What Christians Ought to Believe to study groups and to individual Christians looking to deepen not just their knowledge of the Christian faith but their knowledge of the triune God. REV DR. MICHAEL P. JENSEN, St Mark’s Anglican Church, Sydney Michael Bird has done a huge favor for those whose traditions need to be reacquainted with the Apostles’ Creed as more than a pedantic statement. He uses the Creed as it was intended to be used—to teach and form Christians in the living way of Jesus! Well-researched and engagingly written, Bird’s volume will prove valuable in both church and academy, for those considering Christian faith as well as seasoned saints. His wit, clarity, and scholarship reflect the inherent winsomeness of the theological task and of a creed-contoured faith. I’m already looking for ways to use it.”
“What Christians Ought to Believe is more than a clear, concise exposition of the essential tenets of faith informed by the very best of biblical and theological scholarship. With deep-rooted evangelical conviction and his trademark wit, Professor Bird also makes a compelling case that even committed biblicists can appreciate the beauty, instructional value, and fidelity to Scripture found in the ancient Creed.”
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