Creeds as Practice: A Practice-Engaged Theology

TY - JOUR

T1 - Creeds as Practice

T2 - A Practice-Engaged Theology

AU - Cocksworth, Ash

PY - 2025/12/19

Y1 - 2025/12/19

N2 - Drawing from new empirical work on experiences of saying creeds among older Christians in South-West London, this article presents a practice-engaged theology of the creeds. While much has been said about what creeds say, less has been said about what it means to say creeds. Moving beyond the standard definition of creeds as statements of belief, this article considers what it might mean to think of creeds as practice. It argues that the performance of saying creeds, the practice of not saying creeds, the idea of praying creeds, and the difference all this makes to the nature of belief contribute to the overall meaning of creeds in theologically important ways.

AB - Drawing from new empirical work on experiences of saying creeds among older Christians in South-West London, this article presents a practice-engaged theology of the creeds. While much has been said about what creeds say, less has been said about what it means to say creeds. Moving beyond the standard definition of creeds as statements of belief, this article considers what it might mean to think of creeds as practice. It argues that the performance of saying creeds, the practice of not saying creeds, the idea of praying creeds, and the difference all this makes to the nature of belief contribute to the overall meaning of creeds in theologically important ways.

U2 - 10.1163/17455316-bja10054

DO - 10.1163/17455316-bja10054

M3 - Article

SN - 1744-1366

VL - 21

SP - 259

EP - 281

JO - ECCLESIOLOGY

JF - ECCLESIOLOGY

IS - 3

ER -