The Athanasian Creed, also known as Quicunque vult (from its opening words in Latin), is one of the three ecumenical creeds of the Christian Church, alongside the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. Though traditionally attributed to Athanasius of Alexandria, a key defender of Trinitarian orthodoxy in the 4th century, the creed likely originated in the 5th or 6th century in Western Europe. The Athanasian Creed is especially notable for its detailed articulation of the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation, emphasizing the equality and unity of the three Persons of the Trinity and the dual nature of Christ.

Historical Background

Context of the Creed’s Formation

The Athanasian Creed emerged in a context of theological controversy and doctrinal development within the early Christian Church, particularly surrounding the nature of the Trinity and the relationship between Jesus’ divine and human natures.

• Arian Controversy: During the 4th century, the Church faced the Arian controversy, which questioned the full divinity of Jesus Christ. Arius, a priest from Alexandria, argued that Christ was a created being and not co-eternal with the Father. This led to the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, which affirmed the full divinity of Christ and produced the Nicene Creed.
• Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 296-373 AD): Although the Athanasian Creed was not written by Athanasius, it reflects his theological concerns. Athanasius was a staunch defender of the Nicene Creed and the doctrine of the Trinity, arguing that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-equal and co-eternal.
• Western Development: The Athanasian Creed is thought to have been composed in the Western Church, possibly in Gaul (modern-day France), during the 5th or 6th century. It was written in Latin, unlike the earlier Greek creeds, and was likely used for catechetical instruction and as a standard of orthodoxy.

Structure and Content of the Creed

The Athanasian Creed is structured into two main sections: the first focuses on the doctrine of the Trinity, and the second on the doctrine of the Incarnation.

1. The Doctrine of the Trinity

The first part of the creed articulates the doctrine of the Trinity, affirming the equality and unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• One God in Three Persons: The creed emphasizes that there is one God in three Persons, who are distinct yet fully equal in power, majesty, and eternity.
  • Matthew 28:19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This Trinitarian formula, given by Jesus, is foundational to the doctrine of the Trinity as articulated in the creed.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:14: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” This benediction reflects the Trinitarian understanding of God’s nature.
• Unity and Distinction: The creed carefully maintains the balance between the unity of God and the distinctiveness of each Person of the Trinity, avoiding both modalism (which denies the distinctiveness of the Persons) and tritheism (which denies the unity of God).
  • John 10:30: “I and the Father are one.” This verse reflects the unity of the Father and the Son.
  • John 14:26: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” This verse illustrates the distinct roles within the Trinity while affirming their unity in purpose and essence.

2. The Doctrine of the Incarnation

The second part of the creed focuses on the doctrine of the Incarnation, affirming that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man.

• Two Natures of Christ: The creed asserts that Christ has two natures—divine and human—that are united in one Person without mixing, changing, or separating.
  • John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” This verse speaks to the Incarnation of Christ, where the eternal Word took on human nature.
  • Colossians 2:9: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” This verse underscores the fullness of Christ’s divinity dwelling in His human nature.
• Necessary for Salvation: The creed states that belief in the Trinity and the Incarnation is essential for salvation, emphasizing the importance of holding to orthodox Christian doctrine.
  • 1 John 4:2-3: “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.” This passage highlights the necessity of confessing the true nature of Christ.

Theological Significance of the Athanasian Creed

Defense of Orthodoxy

The Athanasian Creed serves as a defense against heresies that threatened the orthodox understanding of the Trinity and the Incarnation.

• Anti-Arian: The creed stands against Arianism by affirming the full divinity of the Son and the Holy Spirit, alongside the Father.
  • John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This verse directly counters the Arian claim that Christ was a created being, instead affirming His eternal divinity.
• Anti-Nestorian and Anti-Eutychian: The creed also addresses the Christological controversies of the 5th century, including Nestorianism (which overly separated Christ’s divine and human natures) and Eutychianism (which confused or merged the two natures into one). The creed affirms the Chalcedonian definition of Christ as fully God and fully man, in one Person.
  • Philippians 2:6-7: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” This passage supports the orthodox understanding of the Incarnation.

Importance in Christian Worship and Confession

The Athanasian Creed has been used in Christian worship, particularly in the Western Church, to affirm the faith of the Church in the face of doctrinal challenges.

• Liturgical Use: The creed has been traditionally recited in the liturgy on Trinity Sunday, emphasizing the centrality of the doctrine of the Trinity in Christian worship.
  • Ephesians 4:4-6: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” This passage echoes the unity and oneness of the faith, as confessed in the Athanasian Creed.
• Catechetical Function: The creed has also served as a tool for catechesis, helping to educate Christians about the essential truths of the faith.
  • 2 Timothy 1:13-14: “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” This exhortation to hold to sound teaching underscores the importance of creedal statements like the Athanasian Creed in preserving the integrity of the faith.

Protestant Reception and Criticism

While the Athanasian Creed has been widely accepted in Western Christianity, including within many Protestant traditions, it has also faced some criticism.

• Acceptance in Protestantism: Many Protestant denominations, including Lutheran and Anglican churches, accept the Athanasian Creed as a faithful summary of Christian doctrine. The creed’s emphasis on the Trinity and the Incarnation aligns with Protestant theological convictions.
• Criticism of the “Damnatory Clauses”: Some Protestant groups have criticized the creed’s “damnatory clauses,” which state that holding the correct faith, as articulated in the creed, is necessary for salvation. Critics argue that this language is overly rigid and could be interpreted as excluding those who may hold to the Christian faith but are unfamiliar with the specific formulations of the creed.
  • Romans 10:9: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Protestants often emphasize the simplicity of faith in Christ for salvation, as opposed to the detailed doctrinal formulations of the creeds.

Practical Implications of the Athanasian Creed in Christian Life

Confession and Belief

The Athanasian Creed underscores the importance of right belief in the Christian faith, reminding believers of the necessity of holding to the core doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation.

• 1 Timothy 4:16: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” This verse emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine, as reflected in the Athanasian Creed.

Unity in Faith

The creed serves as a unifying statement of faith, bringing together Christians across different traditions who share a common belief in the Trinity and the Incarnation.

• Ephesians 4:13: “Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” The Athanasian Creed contributes to this unity in faith by clearly articulating the essential truths of Christianity.

Worship and Devotion

The theological truths expressed in the Athanasian Creed inspire worship and devotion, as they lead believers to a deeper understanding of the nature of God and the mystery of the Incarnation.

• Revelation 4:8: “Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.'” The confession of God’s triune nature in the Athanasian Creed leads to a response of worship, as reflected in this heavenly vision.

Conclusion

From a Christian worldview, the Athanasian Creed is a vital expression of the core doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation, serving as a key component of the Church’s confession of faith. While its origins are in the Western Church and it emerged in a context of doctrinal controversy, the creed has been widely accepted as a faithful summary of Christian orthodoxy.

The Athanasian Creed’s detailed articulation of the nature of God as Trinity and the person of Christ as fully God and fully man provides a firm foundation for understanding the Christian faith. It has played an important role in the Church’s liturgy, catechesis, and defense of orthodoxy, helping to preserve the integrity of the faith across the centuries.

Despite some criticisms, particularly regarding its strong language about the necessity of correct belief for salvation, the Athanasian Creed remains a powerful and unifying statement of the essential truths of Christianity, inspiring believers to worship, confess, and live out their faith with a deepened understanding of the God they serve.