From the Gospel to the Creeds. Studies in the Early History of the Christian Church

From the Gospel to the creeds – is a book which was published in 1919 and written by William Laurence Sullivan. He was an American Unitarian clergyman, literary critic and prolific author. This book is suggested for use by any high school or college group whose development, previous training, and current interest allow them to enjoy and benefit from it. The knowledge and skills of the teacher will also be a determining factor. Classes for adults may well take advantage of his insight and clarity. In addition to this, the book will surely attract a wide range of grateful readers. Here the author describes the growth of Christianity from a time when the blessings were sufficient to a time when creeds were obligatory. The author traces the development of certain doctrines that were not in primitive Christianity, and points to some of the practices of the Roman Church that limited and finally destroyed the spirit of freedom that was characteristic of the first disciples. Together with him, we see the gospel presented by Jesus in such simplicity and beauty, turned into an obligatory credo of a dogmatizing, persecuting and authoritative church. In our days, when denominations are crumbling and the church itself is under threat, many will gladly take advantage of the spiritual understanding that pervades the teachings of Christianity here and sees that it is not they, but the spirit and teaching of Jesus that are essential. All of them will find consolation in their faith in the thought that, as the author says so well: “The creeds have not conquered Jesus. He is forever conquering the creeds.”