Rooted in the Ancient Faith: Calvin and the Nicene Creed at Calvin Seminary
The 150th year of Calvin Theological Seminary and the Nicene Creed
In this anniversary year, there are multiple opportunities to look back on the past, perhaps even further than our own. One way to think about our theological heritage, in fact, is to consider the foundation upon which the seminary was established. The year 2025 is a great year to reflect on this, as it is the 1700th year of the Nicene Creed.
Reflecting on the Nicene Creed as we mark the 150th year of our seminary is a call to remember where we came from and why we exist. The seminary’s identity is built on the Reformed confessional tradition, and that Reformed tradition is rooted deeply in the creeds of the early church. Thus, this milestone of our institution is a superb opportunity to ask these questions: what can we learn from the ancient creeds, especially the Nicene Creed? What are their implications for today?
The Theological Depth and Relevance of the Nicene Creed for Today
As I consider the Nicene Creed’s theological implications, perhaps what is at the center is this: what does the Creed talk about? The Creed concerns the central issues of Christian faith: who is God? Who is Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit? Who is our triune God, what did God do, and what is God doing now? The Nicene Creed gently and yet firmly pushes us to ask the crucial questions and concentrate on them. The Creed helps us focus on fundamental matters and return to the basics.
Moreover, the Creed holds together truth and worship. Sometimes we separate those two things, or, worse, prioritize one over the other. Significantly, in the grammar of this Creed, the phrase “we believe” is repeated poetically throughout. It speaks of truthful confession and reverent adoration. When we recite this Creed together, it becomes at once a moment of worship and a time of intense learning.
One more key lesson that the Creed conveys is the unity of the whole church on earth. Whenever I read, recite, and meditate on this Creed, whether on my own or with my local church, I am compelled to remember that this is not a relic of the past, but a living testimony of what it means to belong to the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.
John Calvin and the Nicene Creed
How is this ancient confession of faith relevant to Calvin Theological Seminary? Let’s start with John Calvin, the theologian for whom the seminary is named. A popular caricature of Calvin depicts him as something of a lone wolf. Many believe Calvin desired to invent something entirely new, that his intention was to turn the world upside down by going against everything old. The reality is quite different. In fact, Calvin was deeply committed to going back to Scripture and the ancient faith. These two things are simultaneously true for Calvin. Scripture was the center of his attention, and he sought to be a reader and teacher of the Word of God. He was also immensely passionate about the church fathers and their deep ancient wisdom.
As Calvin sought to be a teacher of Scripture and the early creedal tradition, his theology is both catholic, in that it is rooted in the early church, and reforming, in that it addressed the spiritual needs of his time and its people. Think of Calvin as a chef—he was, after all, a Frenchman. His main ingredient is the Word of God, but he was never afraid of blending the church fathers and the early church theology into his favorite recipes.
He was also devoted to the unity of the church. The ancient confessions, like the Nicene Creed, were often used by Calvin in order to promote oneness in the church of God. He routinely turned to early church fathers and ancient theology in order to foster agreement.
Implications for Calvin Theological Seminary’s Future
The striking commonality between Calvin and the Nicene Creed is the bridge built to connect belief and life. Calvin never wanted theology to be something that is detached from reality or Christian life. He insisted that true theology is wisdom concerning God and ourselves and that theology should be practical and pastoral. Likewise, the Nicene Creed does not teach separated and isolated facts. Instead, the Creed is written in a form of confession, worship, and adoration.
Both Calvin and the Nicene understanding of Christian thought compel us to think of theology not as an abstract set of theories. Rather, they help us think about theology in a doxological and embodied way. This theology helps us know and love our God. This relational wisdom and love empower us to live a life of love, peace, joy, and holiness.
As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Calvin Seminary and the 1700th year of the Nicene Creed, it’s a ripe moment to reflect on the seminary’s connection to John Calvin as well as the ancient faith of the Creed. When I do, I’m reminded that theological education is never merely intellectual. It’s an act of worship, a source of joy, and our way to enjoy a deeper and richer relationship with our God. The seminary that is rooted in the Reformed tradition and the ancient faith is not merely a place to learn about God but a community in which we come to truly know and love God and each other.
Importantly, both Calvin and the Creed spoke in their time. Their prophetic voices rang loud and clear. Remembering our legacy and heritage anchors us in the biblical and ancient faith while also enabling us to engage faithfully with the world now and in the days to come.
What will Calvin Theological Seminary look like in the next 150 years, based on its connection to Calvin and the Nicene Creed? My hope is that we will remain firmly rooted in the biblical and ancient faith and embody that theology to both comfort and challenge the church and the world that we are called to serve.
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