First, I am happy to recommend Crossway’s recent release of Kevin DeYoung’s The Nicene Creed: What You Need to Know about the Most Important Creed Ever Written. It is succinct and can be read quickly. Typical of KDY, he is mainstream, wonderfully averse to extremes. In this work, which is designed to accompany a coming commemoration and acquaint churches with some of the history and text behind this creed, DeYoung provides a readable commentary on a great council and a great creed.

The book does not devote as much discussion to the latter parts of the creed (in sequence, although those matters are touched upon earlier), and ends with a helpful chapter on baptism and the remission of sins. Each chapter has scriptural references and packs a lot into a little space. DeYoung’s book covers a bit more content than some of the other popular works.

My second book to recommend is Philip Cary’s wonderful small work (published by Lexham Press, 2023): The Nicene Creed: An Introduction. Like KDY’s it is simple, biblical, and practical. It takes each phrase and devotes 500-700 words to that phrase. It is great for beginners. He also has a short introduction to set this in its context. As its title suggests, it does not intend to overwhelm the reader nor provide exhaustive commentary.

He stresses in Lutheran tones, explaining that the creed is Gospel, informing us what God has done, rather than Law, pointing to our shortcomings. In short chapters, Cary always provides straightforward explanation of the terms of each clause in the Creed, along with scriptural references to support the truth. The brevity of these chapters lends itself to making this a popular book.

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David Hall | “Nice Scene Summer: Review Of Books On The Nicene Creed” | June 5, 2025

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Post authored by:

• David Hall

  

  Reverend David W. Hall is married to Ann, and they are parents of three grown children and grandparents of eight grandchildren. He has served as the Senior Pastor of Midway Presbyterian Church (PCA) since 2003. Previously, he served as Pastor of the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (1984–2003) and as Associate Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Rome, Georgia (1980–1984). He was ordained to pastoral ministry in 1980. He was educated at Covenant Theological Seminary and is the editor and author of several volumes.

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