[[Biblical Theology]] / Athanasian Creed > [!note] New - 2026-03-26 ![[assets/covers/athanasian-creed.jpg]] The Athanasian Creed is a detailed statement of two doctrines central to Christian faith: the [[Trinity]] and the [[Incarnation]]. Though associated with Athanasius of Alexandria for his celebrated defence of Trinitarian theology, the creed was likely composed in Gaul during the sixth century. It remains a significant doctrinal standard within Christian tradition, particularly in liturgical contexts. ## Historical Origins and Attribution Despite its name, the Athanasian Creed was not actually written by Athanasius.[^bray-common-prayer-p54] Its association with the fourth-century theologian stems from his stalwart defence of the Trinity against Arian heresy. The creed probably dates to the 500s and appears to have been composed in Gaul (modern-day France).[^bray-common-prayer-p54b] ## Central Doctrines The creed provides a detailed and careful statement of two doctrines that are central to the Christian faith.[^bray-common-prayer-p53] These are the Trinity: the doctrine of God’s threefold nature: and the Incarnation, the affirmation that God became flesh in Christ. Together, these doctrines form the theological heart of Christian orthodoxy. ## Knowledge and [[Salvation]] The Athanasian Creed does not function as a precondition for salvation. [[Faith and Trust|A person need not memorise all its technicalities in order to be saved]].[^bray-common-prayer-p55] This principle is illustrated in the Gospel narrative: the thief crucified alongside Jesus did not require knowledge of the creed before hearing the promise of paradise. > [!quote] > ‘A person doesn’t have to know all the technicalities of the Athanasian Creed in order to be saved: the thief on the cross did not have to memorise this creed before Jesus could say to him, “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43 RSV).’ > > *How to Use the [[Book of Common Prayer]]*, p. 55 ## Selected passages > ‘To be sure, **a** **person** **doesn’t** **have** **to** **know** **all** **the** **technicalities** **of** **the** **Athanasian** **Creed** **in** **order** **to** **be** **saved-** the thief on the cross did not have to memorize this creed before Jesus could say to him, “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43 RSV).’ > > *How to Use the Book of Common Prayer: A Guide to the Anglican Liturgy*, p. 55 ([[data/bray-common-prayer/source-images/p55.jpg|🖼️]]) ## Appearances - *How to Use the Book of Common Prayer: A Guide to the Anglican Liturgy*, Samuel L. Bray and Drew Nathaniel Keane - THE ATHANASIAN CREED, pp. 53–54 - LITANY, p. 55 ## Related [[Trinity]] . [[Incarnation]] . [[Ecclesiastical Formularies and Doctrinal Standards]] [^bray-common-prayer-p54]: [[How to Use the Book of Common Prayer: A Guide to the Anglican Liturgy]], p. 54 ([[data/bray-common-prayer/source-images/p54.jpg|🖼️]]) . ‘**Despite** **the** **name,** **the** **Athanasian** **Creed** **wasn’t** **actually** **written** **by** **Athanasius.**’ [^bray-common-prayer-p54b]: Ibid. ([[data/bray-common-prayer/source-images/p54.jpg|🖼️]]) . ‘It’s associated with him because of his stalwart defense of the Trinity, but it **probably** **dates** **to** **the** **500s** **and** **seems** **to** **have** **been** **written** **in** **Gaul** **(modern-** **day** **France).**’ [^bray-common-prayer-p53]: Ibid., p. 53 ([[data/bray-common-prayer/source-images/p53.jpg|🖼️]]) . ‘The Athanasan Crecd” → a detailed and carcful statement of **two** **doctrines** that arc central to the Christian faith.’ [^bray-common-prayer-p55]: Ibid., p. 55 ([[data/bray-common-prayer/source-images/p55.jpg|🖼️]]) . ‘To be sure, **a** **person** **doesn’t** **have** **to** **know** **all** **the** **technicalities** **of** **the** **Athanasian** **Creed** **in** **order** **to** **be** **saved-** the thief on the cross did not have to memorize this creed before Jesus could say to him, “Today you will be with me […]’