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If you were watching the United States vs. Mexico World Cup Qualifier earlier this year, you could hear the familiar chant begin in the crowd as the game got underway:

I Believe…I Believe that…I Believe that we…

I Believe that we will win! I Believe that we will win!

My daughter was watching part of the game with me and asked me, “Daddy, what are they saying?” I explained to my daughter what the chant was and some of the story behind its origins (which are obscure at best, but may point back to a Navy vs. Air Force football game in 2003). As the night continued and the USMNT went on to win 2-0, I reflected back to the chant – which has a familiar ring for those who are Christians, but with different words.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Known as the Apostle’s Creed, the above words (sometimes sung, sometimes chanted) were a summary of Christian belief in the face of heretical opposition beginning as early as the third or fourth century. The creedal statement became and continues to be a bedrock of orthodox faith for Christendom.

The Apostle’s Creed and it’s statement of belief stands as an incredible contrast to the chants that we hear ringing in the football stadiums and arenas of sport, today. For in realizing that the statements of faith and belief contained within the Creed are based upon truth, grounded in fact – yes there are some things that are unseen and necessitate faith, but it is much more than the belief that one might have in the local sports team and whether that team may or may not win. And that faith in God is something worth chanting about.

Blessings,

Rev. Brad Kenney