The Apostles’ Creed, one of Christianity’s oldest and most cherished texts, has long been cherished for its “sublime simplicity, unsurpassable brevity, beautiful order, and liturgical solemnity”. The Apostle’s Creed is notable for invoking the essential tenets of the early Christian faith in just over 100 words. Though its name comes from from ancient legends that say it was originally dictated by the apostles themselves, it is typically believed to have originated sometime around 500 AD.

Here Brother David Steindl-Rast offers a fascinating re-interpretation of these sacred words. In his carefully thought-out, lovingly rendered, phrase-by-phrase translation of the Creed, Br. David liberates the hidden meaning of the text from the yoke of mythic symbolism, revealing the silent, timeless, esoteric core at the heart of the Christian tradition—the very same core that lies at the heart of this and every other moment.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son,
our Lord:

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified,
died,
and was buried.
He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into
heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

About Deeper Than Words: Living the Apostles’ Creed by Br. David Steindl-Rast

In Deeper Than Words: Living the Apostles’ Creed, Brother David Steindl-Rast reexamines the words with which the early followers of Jesus summarized their faith, reading line by line to reveal the often overlooked message of trust, love, and awareness contained in this widely known but rarely examined statement. The words of the Apostles’ Creed are Christian, but its heart is a universal and timeless guide to the fullness of life. This is the message of Deeper Than Words and, from Brother David’s transformative spiritual perspective, it becomes clear theta the Creed expresses a faith beyond ritual and exclusivity that is available to all people in touch with themselves and the world.

Click here to purchase!

“I love Brother Steindl-Rast and all of his work, especially this latest. He is right up there for me with C.S. Lewis, Denise Levertov, and the great Frederick Buechner. I am sure I’ll read Deeper Than Words many times over the years.”
– Anne Lamott, author of Traveling Mercies

“This book belongs on every pastor’s desk, and on the nightstand beside the bed of every Christian who is trying to deepen his or her spiritual life.”
– Huston Smith, author of The World’s Religions

“A timely, profound, and important book. Highly recommended for individuals who want a spirituality that makes sense!”
– Ken Wilber, author of Integral Spirituality and founder of Integral Institute