The Rule of Faith: A Guide

by Everett Ferguson

The rule of faith was a summary of apostolic preaching and teaching made by writers of the early Christian centuries. As such it carries great importance for what the early church considered basic to its being and identity. It was not a fixed text, like a creed, but varied in wording and content according to circumstances. Yet, despite this flexibility and diversity, there is a clear Christ-centered, Trinitarian core at the heart of the rule shared by the early apostolic churches. In this short guide, Everett Ferguson introduces readers to the primary sources of our knowledge of the rule, the variety of ways in which ancient Christian authors spoke of the rule, and different scholarly attempts to interpret this ancient evidence. Ferguson argues that statements of the rule of faith were used to instruct new or potential converts, to combat false teachings, and to provide a framework for interpreting the Scriptures. He maintains that the rule retains considerable importance for churches of the twenty-first century.

Genres: Theology

116 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2015

Reviews

[Robert D. Cornwall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a member of the clergy of a non-creedal faith community. We have a tendency to recoil at anything smacks of a test of fellowship. Freedom is prized. But how much freedom is too much freedom? Is there a place for a rule of faith, a summary of biblical theology that can guide us? As the early church expanded in the first few centuries, and as the New Testament itself was emerging, early Christian leaders laid out what has come to be known as the Rule of Faith. These rules took on different forms, but they all were understood to be summations of the Gospel, but they were not, necessarily, the same as creeds. So what are these rules and how did they come to be and get used?

Everett Ferguson has long been one of the leading scholars of early Christianity. He is Church of Christ, which is itself a non-creedal community, and a branch of the Stone-Campbell Movement, of which my denomination (Disciples of Christ) is part. Ferguson is Professor Emeritus of Bible and Church History at Abilene Christian University. In this brief book, Ferguson introduces us to the various forms the Rule of Faith took, defines its meanings, and shows how the Rule of Faith was interpreted, and studied (by scholars). He notes the functions that the Rule of Faith played. Finally, and perhaps most importantly for us, he suggests ways in which the Rule of Faith is relevant for today.

It is important to note here what Ferguson is attempting to do in this book. He wants to "clarify the relation of the rule of faith to Scripture and creed" (p. xi). Right from the beginning, Ferguson distinguishes the Rule of Faith from a creed. The former is a summation of what early Christian leaders like Origen, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Augustine believed were essential beliefs. Creeds had more ecclesial authority and tended to move beyond summation to interpretation, as well are requiring adherence -- the presence of anathemas being key. His thesis then is "that the rule of faith was a summary of apostolic preaching and teaching, to be found most authoritatively in written form in the Scriptures." While in form they might look similar to baptismal confessions and creeds, they had a differnt function. (p. xi).

With that in mind, Ferguson proceeds to cover a vast amount of material with a brevity of words. He invites us to ponder the question of what Christians believe, noting that many are suspicious of any notions of orthodoxy. I know that to be true in my circles. But, as he suggests, when the label Christian becomes too elastic, then the Christian faith becomes almost meaningless (I'm putting that in gentler terms than does the author).

The book begins with an introduction to some of the more important rules of faith, beginning with that of Justin Martyr. While Justin doesn't use the term Rule, he includes many of the elements that would become important in the development of these Rules. Key to these are the emphasis on God the Creator and on the centrality of Jesus.

The word rule comes from the Greek kanon, which becomes in Latin regula, which speak of standards of belief and behavior. What we learn is that there was no fixed usage in terminology in the first few centuries. Some writers spoke of the rule of faith, others rule of truth, and others ecclesiastical rule, and more. But, there was a similarity of content, of what early Christians were discerning were essentials, long before Nicaea. Having an interpration of the rules and how they are used is helpful, as is the discussion of their function. He notes that these rules were used in several ways. They were used as guides to preaching and teaching --- "It represented the content of the proclamation fo the gospel and the instruction given to inquirers and potential converts." (p. 68). It provided the basis of catechesis or instruction of new converts. These rules, of course, were also used in refuting heresy. Consider that one of the chief sources of an early rule was to be found in Irenaeus' Against Heresies, which sought to refute gnostiicism. These rules were also used as guides to interpreting scripture, helping interpret difficult passages and providing some boundaries for interpretation. He notes that "authors allowed multiple interpretations provided they did not transgress the boundaries set by the rule of faith" (p. 78).

The final chapter of the book offers us a look at ways in which such rules might relevant today. A rule of faith can offer a succinct statement of core doctrine, without becoming a test of fellowship. Such statements can help inquirers know what the congregation believes and practices. It can help leaders know what to focus on and pass on to others. It can help Christians distinguish what is the center and was is the periphery. Such statements don't give an explanation, they simply lay out the core beliefs. They help us test the teachings given in our churches, and keep us focused on Christ. A rule of faith helps guide our interpretation of scripture. Ferguson notes that "Scripture is not 'flat'; not all of it is of equal importance (cf. Matt 22:36-40 AND 1 Cor 15:1-9). The rule of faith summarizes the most important facts of the gospel." (p. 88).

As I read through this, there were times when I found myself differing on points of what should be considered essential from Ferguson, but I found his emphasis on the importance of understanding a core set of beliefs compelling. If Christianity is nothing more than what as individuals define it to be, then doesn't it lose cohesion? Does it not lose meaning? As I like to point out to other members of my denomination that seek to free themselves from any particular beliefs, to be part of a community called "Disciples of Christ" suggests at the very least that Jesus fits in somewhere, otherwise the name is meaningless. One of the slogans of my tradition, and that includes Ferguson's branch, is "in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity (love)." The question that continually bedevils us is the definition of an essential. They may be few and they may be simple, but there must be some essentials upon which we unite. Ferguson suggests that the rule of faith could be of help in this work. That makes this book useful for us today. Indeed, it is not simply of historical interest. It is of contemporary relevance.

[Zach Worden · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Examines the use of the “rule of faith” in the writings of the early church fathers—essentially, a summary of the preaching and teaching of the apostles derived from the Scriptures. I think it’s right to say the rule is pre-any formalized creed, so it may have slight variations in wording or emphasis as early theologians referred to it.

This was a little tedious to get through at points. However, a strength was the amount of primary sources Ferguson quotes from. As someone who has not read much of the writings of the church fathers in the 2nd-5th centuries, it was pretty awesome to see that what we confess today in church is the historic faith passed down from the apostles to these faithful men. Though church history is a wild ride, Jesus has been faithful to preserve His gospel.

I also appreciated the final chapter on the relevance of the rule of faith for the life of the church today—a great way to end the book.

[Ali McNeely]

For HT601: Church Fathers and the Middle Ages

[Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The heart of this apostolic preaching was the career of Jesus, particularly focused on his death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor 15:3-5). The rule of faith was the continuation of these summaries of main elements in the gospel, set in the larger context of faith in God and the church's experience of the Holy Spirit.”

An excellent and brief guide to the early church’s diversified expressions of the unified content of the rule of faith, the terminology and uses of the rule in the early church, a survey of contemporary scholarship on the rule, and the value of the rule of faith for Christians today. Chapter 2 is extremely dry as Ferguson simply lists out the various terms/titles for the rule of faith in the early church. I also think that the chapter surveying scholarship on the rule was a little clunky and underdeveloped. Still a great book on the formation of early Christian identity as the rule of faith shaped doctrine and practice in the Christian way of life. The most insightful discussions by Ferguson are on the relationship between the rule and Scripture.

“Tertullian took the regula as the general interpretive device that provided the metanarrative—comparable to Irenaeus’s hypothesis (the plot) of Scripture; that is, the framework of the biblical storyline—to which individual scriptural passages must conform. Tertullian saw the Bible story as presenting a cosmic Christology.”

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to enjoy these short, easy-to-read Cascade Companions - and this one on "the Rule of Faith" is no exception. It provides a brief overview of how Early Church Fathers (especially Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Augustine and others used the Rule of Faith (though some times calling it Rule of Truth, etc), as well as a brief overview of what different Historians / Theologians interpret the Rule of Faith to be, and how it was used. Whilst the Author clearly shares his views on these matters, he does seem to give fair coverage to all.

Whilst the author keeps clearly indicating the difference between the Rule of Faith and the Creeds (especially the Apostles Creed), I kept feeling like I wanted to look up and read the Rule of Faith. I found it still remained a bit ill-defined by the end of the book, and that one could easily argue about what was and was not in the Rule of Faith. However, even that, means that the book has given me things to think about, which I think is good in such a companion.

This is well referenced, and is a good starting point for those who which to delve further.

[David Haines · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book taking the reader through the early use, in the works of the early church fathers, of the term "the rule of faith".

[Todd Hains · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some helpful basic information but this book is basically Ferguson’s research notes. Should have and could have been organized and digested better.

[John Kight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everett Ferguson is no stranger to the many discussions that center around the life and theology of early Christianity. Ferguson is Emeritus Professor of Church History at Abilene Christian University and holds numerous academic and scholarly honors. Ferguson has a doctoral degree with distinction in History and Philosophy of Religion from Harvard University. He is also the author of a long list of important works pertaining to the history of Christianity, including, Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, 2nd edition (Routledge, 1997), Church History, Volume One: From Christ to Pre-Reformation: The Rise and Growth of the Church in Its Cultural, Intellectual, and Political Context, 2nd edition (Zondervan, 2013), Church History, Volume Two: From Pre-Reformation to Present Day: The Rise and Growth of the Church in Its Cultural, Intellectual, and Political Context (Zondervan, 2013), and Backgrounds of Early Christianity, 3rd edition (Eerdmans, 2003).

Most recently, Ferguson has brought together a small but welcomed addition to the growing Cascade Companion series. The Rule of Faith: A Guide fits well within the overall aim of this ambitious series, as it couples academic rigor and readability with intentional precision. Ferguson presents the “rule of faith” (or regula fidei) as a necessary companion to the well-known creeds of early Christendom and something that developed as an outcome of the written Scriptures. It is the summary of apostolic preaching and teaching, found most authoritatively in the canon of Scripture (p. xi). But, interestingly enough, as Ferguson articulates clearly in the initial chapters of the book, the “rule of faith” obtained ecumenical support far before the fourth and fifth centuries. In other words, Ferguson demonstrates without a shadow of a doubt, a clear consensus among early Christian writers concerning some of the most foundational tenets of the Christian faith prior to the traditionally agreed upon date for the canon of Scripture.

Ferguson begins the journey with a survey of the “rule of faith” in early Christian literature and guides the reader through the fluidity of terminology that unites the underlying concept among the primary sources. Chapter one and two are necessary starting points for the unfamiliar reader, but I think Ferguson’s handling of the passages will benefit the familiar reader as well. Chapter three brings clarity to the concept as Ferguson guides the reader through interpretation of the “rule of faith” among the various early Christian authors. This section is well written and appropriately placed within the book. Chapter four outlines the history of the study of the “rule of faith” and familiarizes the reader with the various theories that emerge within the discussion. This section is helpful and builds a context for the fifth chapter in which Ferguson carefully summarizes and articulates the function of the “rule of faith” in the life and practice of the early Christian communities. Lastly, Ferguson applies the academic investigation of the “rule of faith” to the contemporary church, suggesting it’s usefulness in bringing to bear a succinct statement of core doctrine, discerning a center from the periphery in Christian doctrine, testing teaching, as well as keeping the focus on Christ and his story.

The Rule of Faith: A Guide is a helpful little book that successfully examines an often overlooked reality within early Christianity. Despite the lack of the Bible as we know it today, the early community of God’s people overtly gathered themselves around a common core of beliefs—the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Everett Ferguson was an ideal candidate for the task that a book of this caliber required, and his contribution is sure to be enjoyed by readers of all educational backgrounds. It’s an intentionally short read that is guaranteed to perk interest in the right places. If you are looking for an intriguing and well-written study on one of the most foundational aspects of early Christianity, then look no further.

I received a review copy of these books in exchange for and honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

[Радостин Марчев]

Кратко запознаване, което работи основно с първичните източници, които надгражда с някои кратки и ясни разяснения.