Guard the Gospel: The Value and Treasure of Creeds

Throughout much of the world today, the church seems in retreat. Cowed by our culture, Christians fear sticking out and looking odd. What we need, more than ever, is a generation prepared to say boldly and publicly, “I believe.”

Creeds and confessions are opportunities to take our stand and declare our glorious God and his marvellous good news. They renew our vision and affirm our communal identity. They safeguard against error. Timeless yet timely, they proclaim a message that the world needs to hear.

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Endorsements

“Michael Reeves offers a clear and stirring call to rediscover the value and necessity of the historic Christian creeds. Guard the Gospel reminds us that doctrine is not a cold set of propositions but a life-giving declaration of the truth about God and his saving work. With clarity and warmth, Reeves shows how the creeds anchor believers in the gospel, strengthen faith, and connect us to the communion of saints throughout history. This brief yet rich book is a timely encouragement for those seeking theological depth and confidence in a confused age. A helpful resource for discipleship, worship, and witness.”

Augustus Nicodemus Lopes,
Pastor of Esperança Bible Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida

“Right from the get-go, the Christian faith has been a confessional religion. The affirmation” ‘Jesus is Lord’ and similar creed-like assertions adorn the pages of the New Testament. It has only been under the impress of the Enlightenment project in the West that Christians have conceived of a non-confessional approach to being a Christian. This fresh study of creeds and their importance by Dr. Reeves is therefore most welcome. It is a vital reminder of why we need robust statements of faith. Highly recommended.

Michael A.G. Haykin,
Professor of Church History,
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“People take all sorts of ‘stands’ these days.  But Christians take their stand on the scriptural truths summarized in the Nicene Creed. Let this be our rallying point in an age of division and confusion! Michael Reeves proves to be an extraordinarily astute and accessible guide.”

Michael Horton,
Professor of Theology and Apologetics,
Westminster Seminary California

“In this rich and accessible book, Michael Reeves reminds us of the beauty, depth, and necessity of the church’s creeds. He places special emphasis on the Apostolic and Nicene Creeds, showing that they are not dry relics of tradition, but living confessions of the glorious God we worship and the marvelous gospel we proclaim. With clarity and warmth, Reeves shows that creeds are not empty rituals but vital expressions of God’s revealed truth—truth that grounds the church, expresses our faith, unites us with fellow confessors, and stirs our hearts to worship.

In an age of doctrinal drift, this book is a timely call to cherish, confess, and rejoice in the faith once delivered to the saints.”

Sherif A. Fahim,
Professor & Chair of New Testament Department,
Alexandria School of Theology,
and author Justification, Sanctification, and Union with Christ

“In Guard the Gospel, Michael Reeves gives a stirring call to live in light of the truth and proclaim it boldly. He shows the creeds not to be dry and obsolete, but instead to be robust statements of the gospel that unite us together and point us to God’s revelation about himself.

May our churches hear Reeves’ rallying cry, and recover not rote recitation, but vigorous affirmation of the faith once for all entrusted to the saints.”

Keri Folmar,
Priscilla Talk, a podcast by 9Marks