Ford co-authors book encouraging contemporary believers to ‘think Nicenely’
Christians should “think Nicenely,” contends Coleman Ford, assistant professor of humanities at Texas Baptist College, in his new book, Nicaea for Today: Why an Ancient Creed (Still) Matters.
Written with fellow theologian Shawn Wilhite, the authors timed the volume to coincide with the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, an important gathering in A.D. 325 that produced a doctrinal statement about the Trinity and responding to heretical teaching about Jesus. The book fills the need for an “entry level academic work on the Council of Nicaea that can speak to 18- to 22-year-olds, yet still challenge them and sort of set a high bar,” Ford said.
“We thought it would just be a good opportunity to write about this council that most of us have at least a basic knowledge of,” Ford explained. “We know it existed, we might not know all the history about it or the theology around it.”
Southwestern President David S. Dockery praised the timely work.
“I heartily applaud the efforts of Coleman Ford and Shawn Wilhite to provide readers with this outstanding exploration of the historical context, key participants, theological commitments, and biblical considerations related to the Nicene Creed,” Dockery said. “In helping readers to ‘think Nicenely,’ our authors, on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, have given us a thoughtful and pro-Nicene exposition of the Creed, advocating for its adoption in private and public use.”
Through their work, Ford hopes to give clarity to not just the events and conclusions of the council, but also the historical contexts leading up to, during, and following the assembly. More importantly, he said his goal is to provide a resource for those who may have little to no context on the council of Nicaea, especially students.
“We wanted to write a book that could be easily translated into a college classroom, like freshman, sophomore college classes, church history class,” Ford said. The book is also accessible for church members who have some knowledge of history and theology but may “want to go a little bit deeper.”
Ford said the book includes theological explorations surrounding the concepts that emerged from Nicaea, such as the Trinitarian formula, as well as the idea of helping the reader “think Nicenely.” This concept is how Ford described his and Wilhite’s goal to take the reader and focus their vision not just on arbitrary dates and recounted stories, but to envision these ancient theologians gathered together, discussing the being and mind of God based on the biblical texts.
By focusing on the theological priorities that came from the Council of Nicaea, Ford said Christians today can “capture every thought for Christ in order to help us better understand the Gospel, help us better understand Scripture.”
Ford also hopes that this idea of “thinking Nicenely” will embolden church leaders to put more emphasis on the importance of the Nicaean Creed for their own congregations, even perhaps for some churches that have been previously unfamiliar with it.
“If nothing else, to enter into this world and say, ‘This is good; this is right; this is biblical. This is our faith,” Ford continued. “This is the Christian faith, and this is how it’s expressed more concretely.”
Dockery applauded their theological exploration of the role of the Creed in Christian practices.
“Ford and Wilhite offer insightful and pastoral guidance regarding the role of the Creed at times of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, in catechetical instruction, and in public worship, doing so with particular sensitivity to those in the Free Church tradition,” Dockery said. “Pastors, church leaders, and students will benefit greatly from engaging this superb work.”
The book, published by B&H Academic, is available for purchase here.
On Sept. 9, Southwestern Seminary held a special chapel service celebrating the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed with a message by Malcolm Yarnell, research professor of theology at the seminary. Learn more here.
