What is the source of the 44 assertions made in the Creed of Athanasius?

Unlike the shorter and more universally accepted Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed is notable for its length, precision, and complexity. It contains 44 distinct assertions that serve to define orthodox Christian belief concerning the Trinity and the incarnation of Jesus Christ. But where do these 44 assertions come from? What are their scriptural, theological, and historical sources?

The Origins and Structure of the Athanasian Creed

Despite its name, the Athanasian Creed was almost certainly not written by Athanasius of Alexandria, who lived in the 4th century and was a staunch defender of Trinitarian orthodoxy against Arianism. Most scholars date the creed to the late 5th or early 6th century, likely in the Latin-speaking West, possibly in Southern Gaul (modern-day France). It was intended to summarize and clarify the orthodox faith in response to ongoing heresies and misunderstandings, particularly concerning the Trinity and the nature of Christ.

The creed is structured in two main parts. The first section (assertions 1-28) addresses the doctrine of the Trinity — the belief that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons but of one essence. The second section (assertions 29-44) focuses on the person of Christ, affirming both his divinity and humanity, and the doctrine of salvation. Each assertion is crafted to affirm the boundaries of orthodoxy and to refute specific heretical views that had arisen in the centuries after the earliest Christian creeds.

Scriptural Foundations of the Creed

The Athanasian Creed, like the other major Christian creeds, draws heavily on the language and concepts found in the New Testament. Many of its 44 assertions are rooted in scriptural passages that articulate the nature of God and Christ. For example, its statements about the Trinity echo Matthew 28:19, where Jesus commands his disciples to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Likewise, the creed’s declarations about Christ’s dual nature reflect passages such as John 1:14 ("The Word became flesh and dwelt among us") and Philippians 2:6-8 (Christ, "being in very nature God… made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant").

The creed does not directly quote scripture, but it weaves together scriptural ideas and terminology, often using technical language that had developed in theological debates. Its assertions represent an attempt to summarize, clarify, and protect interpretations of scripture that were deemed orthodox by the church.

Theological Sources: Councils and Controversies

To understand the specific content of the 44 assertions, it is essential to recognize the influence of earlier church councils and the theological controversies they addressed. The Creed of Athanasius is, in many ways, a product of doctrinal development that took place between the 4th and 6th centuries.

The Nicene Creed and the Council of Nicaea (325)

The Council of Nicaea produced the Nicene Creed, which was the first to articulate the doctrine of the Trinity in clear terms, affirming the full divinity of the Son against Arianism, which held that the Son was a created being. Many of the Athanasian Creed’s assertions echo the Nicene formula: that the Son is "of one substance with the Father" (homoousios), co-eternal and co-equal.

The Council of Constantinople (381) and the Holy Spirit

The Council of Constantinople expanded the Nicene Creed to articulate the divinity of the Holy Spirit, which the Athanasian Creed echoes in its repeated insistence that the Holy Spirit is also fully God, of one substance with the Father and the Son.

The Council of Ephesus (431) and the Council of Chalcedon (451)

The Christological controversies of the 5th century, particularly those surrounding the person and nature of Christ, find expression in the second half of the Athanasian Creed. The Council of Ephesus condemned Nestorianism, which separated the divine and human natures of Christ; the Council of Chalcedon affirmed that Christ is "one person in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation." The Athanasian Creed’s assertions regarding Christ’s incarnation, birth, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension draw directly from these conciliar definitions.

The Language of the Creed: Latin Theology and Western Influence

Unlike the earlier creeds, which were formulated in Greek, the Athanasian Creed was written in Latin. Its terminology reflects the Latin theological tradition, including terms like "persona" (person) and "substantia" (substance or essence). This language was shaped by Western theologians such as Augustine of Hippo, whose writings on the Trinity had a profound influence on Western Christianity.

Augustine’s treatises, especially "De Trinitate," provided the intellectual framework for understanding the unity and distinction within the Godhead. Many of the Athanasian Creed’s phrases and arguments bear the stamp of Augustinian thought, especially the insistence on co-equality, co-eternity, and the avoidance of subordinationism (the idea that the Son or Spirit are inferior to the Father).

The Polemical Purpose: Refuting Heresies

The 44 assertions of the Athanasian Creed are not merely positive statements of belief—they are also polemical, crafted to exclude a range of teachings regarded as heretical. Over the centuries, the church faced a series of challenges to its understanding of the Trinity and Christ:

• Arianism: Denied the full divinity of the Son.
• Sabellianism (Modalism): Denied the real distinction of persons in the Trinity.
• Nestorianism: Divided Christ’s divine and human natures.
• Eutychianism/Monophysitism: Confused or merged Christ’s two natures.

Each assertion in the creed is designed either to affirm orthodox teaching or to reject these heretical positions. The repeated use of phrases such as “not three Gods, but one God” and “He is not two, but one Christ” are direct responses to these controversies.

The Number 44: Structure and Significance

While the numbering of the assertions can vary depending on translation and format, most modern editions recognize 44 distinct statements. These range from affirmations of the necessity of holding the Catholic faith for salvation (assertion 1) to detailed statements about the descent of Christ into hell and his coming judgment (assertions 40-44).

The structure reflects the creed’s dual focus:

• Assertions 1-28: The doctrine of the Trinity, establishing the equality and unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Assertions 29-44: The doctrine of the incarnation and salvation, summarizing the main points of Christology.

This systematic arrangement was intended to provide clarity and completeness, ensuring that every essential aspect of the faith was covered and every major heresy was excluded.

Historical Transmission: From Liturgy to Doctrine

The Athanasian Creed entered the liturgy of the Western Church by the 8th or 9th century, used particularly in the context of teaching and catechesis rather than in regular worship. Its detailed assertions made it an ideal tool for instruction, especially for clergy who needed to be able to distinguish orthodox teaching from heresy.

As the creed was copied and transmitted, its wording and numbering sometimes varied, but the content remained remarkably stable, testifying to its importance in shaping Western Christian doctrine.

Conclusion: The Sources Behind the Assertions

The 44 assertions of the Athanasian Creed are the product of centuries of theological reflection, scriptural interpretation, and ecclesiastical controversy. Their sources include scripture, ecumenical Councils, Latin theological tradition and polemical context.

• Scripture: Underlying all assertions are biblical texts, especially those relating to the Trinity and the person of Christ.
• Ecumenical Councils: The language and dogmatic definitions of Nicaea, Constantinople, Ephesus, and Chalcedon are reflected throughout.
• Latin Theological Tradition: The influence of Western thinkers, particularly Augustine, shaped the creed’s terminology and logic.
• Polemical Context: Each assertion is crafted to affirm orthodoxy and exclude specific heresies.

In sum, the Athanasian Creed’s 44 assertions represent a synthesis of scriptural faith, conciliar definitions, and the lived struggle of the early church to preserve the mystery and integrity of Christian belief.