Statements of Faith and Their Importance

           Since ancient times, the Christian Church has had statements of faith.  They were formerly called “creeds” or “symbols”, and they formed a summary of essential doctrines.  They have several purposes, such as: to form a framework or summary of biblical teaching, to train new Christians in the basics of doctrine, and to remind older Christians what is essential.  The most well known of these is called the Apostle’s Creed.  This was used as a test for Christian orthodoxy in the early centuries, until the Council of Nicea, when the Nicene Creed was composed.  The their design was to draw a doctrinal line distinction between Christians and heretics.

            The Christian Camp and Conference Association’s Statement of Faith serves a similar purpose.  It demands that all camps and organizations affiliated with it subscribe to this Statement, in order to insure that they are, indeed, Christian in doctrine, that is, that they correctly teach what the Bible says about the central doctrines.  For those who run or are employed by Christian camps, this statement has several good purposes.  First, it is well suited for use as a standard for employees.  Those seeking employment and a Christian camp ought to be Christian, and the Statement of Faith provides a doctrinal standard by which a candidate’s Christianity may be measured.  Secondly, it may also be put to groups who desire to use the camp’s facilities.  Thirdly, for those employed by Christian camps, it is useful not only to know what their camp teaches, but also to provide a framework for their own doctrine, that they may, “always be ready to give an answer to everyone asking you a reason concerning the hope in you, with meekness and fear.”  -I Peter 3:15b, LITV