In The Jesus Creed, Scot McKnight (Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies at North Park University) adapts the Shema of Judaism as the "creed" of the Old Testament to the "Great Commandment" of Mark 12:28-33 as the "creed" of the New Testament for Christianity. Basically, he proposes that "loving God and loving others" from Mark 12:28-33 is the focus of our experience of living by faith. I have to admit that I find a lot of value in that perspective.
However, this must be more than a creed to repeat or a doctrinal supposition to adhere to. It must be a tangible expresssion of how we live on a daily basis. I have always heard that we should live in such a way that others will see Jesus in us. Maybe this is backwards. Maybe we should live in such a way that we see Jesus in others. This might cause us to respond in ways that seek their well-being before our own. This was certainly the case in the story of the "good Samaritan" in Luke 10:30-37.
Maybe that's how the church should live in community. Not necessarily that others will "see" Jesus in our buildings and programs, but that we will see Jesus in the community and serve "Him" in compassion and humility.
As Dr. Phil might ask, "How is your current 'creed' working for you?"
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