Rating: 
Summary: Awesome for All
Review: Dr. Johnson does it again. The Creed is cogent, concise and very readable. Congrats on a lot of white space, (i.e. double spacing of text) and quality feel paper, easy to hightlight and underline. This is an important quality as there is much to underline and contemplate in this very fine work.
Rating:
Summary: Solid Theology!
Review: I've always liked Dr. Johnson's writing, and I was not disappointed in this book. For a solid, thoughtful, catholic address to the essential points of Christian faith, this book doesn't fail to meet expectations. Unlike some books which deal with these historical and theological issues, this volume sets aside political and skeptical agenda and simply presents the truth in a way that is easy to read and accept. Good work, Dr. Johnson!
Rating:
Summary: Solid Theology!
Review: I've always liked Dr. Johnson's writing, and I was not disappointed in this book. For a solid, thoughtful, catholic address to the essential points of Christian faith, this book doesn't fail to meet expectations. Unlike some books which deal with these historical and theological issues, this volume sets aside political and skeptical agenda and simply presents the truth in a way that is easy to read and accept. Good work, Dr. Johnson!
Rating:
Summary: Why Does It Matter?
Review: Is the Creed still relevant? Johnson answers with a resounding, "Yes!!" He offers an historical perspective in which he shows how the early believers sorted through the Scriptures to summarize the essence of the faith. He takes on the Enlightenment mindset and reminds the reader that the New Testament (and our own faith today) comes out of an experience of the resurrection and not out of an empirical analysis. I preached a series based on this book and got more positive feedback from it than any other series in the last two years. If you only have a few minutes, read his thoughts regarding, "on the third day he rose again according to the scriptures" (page 180 ff). You will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Why Does It Matter?
Review: Is the Creed still relevant? Johnson answers with a resounding, "Yes!!" He offers an historical perspective in which he shows how the early believers sorted through the Scriptures to summarize the essence of the faith. He takes on the Enlightenment mindset and reminds the reader that the New Testament (and our own faith today) comes out of an experience of the resurrection and not out of an empirical analysis. I preached a series based on this book and got more positive feedback from it than any other series in the last two years. If you only have a few minutes, read his thoughts regarding, "on the third day he rose again according to the scriptures" (page 180 ff). You will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Why Does It Matter?
Review: Is the Creed still relevant? Johnson answers with a resounding, "Yes!!" He offers an historical perspective in which he shows how the early believers sorted through the Scriptures to summarize the essence of the faith. He takes on the Enlightenment mindset and reminds the reader that the New Testament (and our own faith today) comes out of an experience of the resurrection and not out of an empirical analysis. I preached a series based on this book and got more positive feedback from it than any other series in the last two years. If you only have a few minutes, read his thoughts regarding, "on the third day he rose again according to the scriptures" (page 180 ff). You will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: LTJ ( Roman Catholic) Inspires A Baptist
Review: Luke Timothy Johnson does a superb job describing the history and early function of the Nicene Creed, then he skillfully produces compelling arguments for modern day functions of the Creed for all Christians who confess Christ as Lord. Although it may be a bit idealistic of me, I think The Creed could potentially close the gap that formed in the Church as a result of the Protestant Reformation.A must read for all Christians who believed Jesus wanted unity in his body when he prayed in John 17.
Rating: 
Summary: Uneven but sharp and concise primer and apology
Review: Maybe 3 and a half stars.
Luke Timothy Johnson is a moderately conservative neo-orthodox Roman Catholic. A world class Biblcial scholar teaching at (liberal Methodist) Emory.
There are some VERY outstanding new books on the Creed: Alister McGrath's I Believe; Van Harn, ed., Exploring and Proclaiming The Apostles' Creed [2004]; Michael Horton, We Believe, and the last section of David Matzko McCarthy, The Good Life [2004]. If I bought just two, one would be Johnson's. McGrath and Horton's works are probably certainly more orthodox in some spots. (For example, he Creed says 'born of the Virgin Mary' and Horton and McGrath believe that the Creed is right on that, while Johnson strongly hedges.) But Johnson makes up for shaky orthodoxy in style, precision, and clarity.
His introduction is the best part of teh book. His defense of creeds, against Modernity on one hand and Anabaptists on the other, is alone worth the $10. Pleasant cover and packaging too.
Rating:
Summary: Worth Reading on So Many Levels
Review: Regardless of your faith tradition, The Creed is a book worth exploring, studying, and discussing in your church. Agreement with Johnson's arguments and conclusions is not necessary -- it is the questions that Johnson raises that are important. Contemporary Christianity suffers a monumental credibility problem and identity crisis. Few Christians can clearly articulate what they believe, why it is important, and what ultimate meaning it has for their lives. Rigid fundamentalism to anything-goes liberalism paint a wide spectrum for confused seekers. Church-goers often simply go through the motions, mouthing professions of faith that have little or no meaning in their daily lives. Johnson calls all Christian believers to take seriously what we claim to believe, and he challenges us to act counter-culturally -- first and foremost by defining ourselves in relationship to community, rather than as individuals. This is a fine historical review as well as a clarion call to create a future grounded in a clear, compelling identity that says once and for all who we are, what we believe, and why we are here.
Rating:
Summary: Worth Reading on So Many Levels
Review: Regardless of your faith tradition, The Creed is a book worth exploring, studying, and discussing in your church. Agreement with Johnson's arguments and conclusions is not necessary -- it is the questions that Johnson raises that are important. Contemporary Christianity suffers a monumental credibility problem and identity crisis. Few Christians can clearly articulate what they believe, why it is important, and what ultimate meaning it has for their lives. Rigid fundamentalism to anything-goes liberalism paint a wide spectrum for confused seekers. Church-goers often simply go through the motions, mouthing professions of faith that have little or no meaning in their daily lives. Johnson calls all Christian believers to take seriously what we claim to believe, and he challenges us to act counter-culturally -- first and foremost by defining ourselves in relationship to community, rather than as individuals. This is a fine historical review as well as a clarion call to create a future grounded in a clear, compelling identity that says once and for all who we are, what we believe, and why we are here.
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