1) Because these creeds faithfully articulate the teachings of the Bible.
To be clear, the Westminster Confession and Catechisms are also faithful to the Bible (otherwise we wouldn’t have adopted them when we entered the EPC), but it’s important to start by saying that the reason we would adopt any creed is because it faithfully communicates what the Bible says.
2) Because we believe these creeds are more practical and relatable.
While the Westminster Catechisms have great material, they read a lot like a theology lecture. By contrast, the Heidelberg Catechism answers questions that young Christians are really asking and do so in a very practical way.
3) Because we believe these creeds are better suited for families.
The Heidelberg Catechism is written in 52 sections, one for each week of the year. They were originally intended for parents teaching the faith to their children and make great material for weekly family devotions.
4) Because for many in our faith family and tradition, these are the creeds they know.
For those who grew up going to church in this area, these are the creeds you probably read from or memorized in Sunday school. These creeds have a rich history in our area and in churches with similar backgrounds to ours.
5) Because the Three Forms of Unity provide a more diverse set of documents.
While the Westminster Confession and Catechisms were written by the same group of people in the same time period, the Three Forms of Unity had different authors and were written for different purposes by different church councils. While these documents all articulate the same theology, their diversity communicates that theology in a beautiful, multi-faceted way.
6) Because the theological flow and wording are preferred by our pastors.
While our pastors affirm the theology of both sets of creeds, they do have a preference for the Three Forms of Unity. There is something special about the way these creeds communicate the faith.
7) Because these were the original creeds of Peace Church.
From the founding of this church and for the next 50 years, these were the creeds we used to profess and teach the truths of Scripture. They reflect much of the history and culture of Peace. Our leaders were trained with these creeds, they have helped our church teach the Bible for a long time, and we are excited to use them to profess the truths of Scripture for generations to come.
