Book: The Creed in Slow Motion

"The only way to engage properly with what one is saying when one says the Creed is not to say it right through and all together, but to take it slowly and reflectively by oneself, phrase by phrase, or even word by word... Every statement in the Creed is capable of being rationally disbelieved, or it would not need to be there: and believing it turns our view of the world inside out. That is the Christian revolution."

The Creed is the foundation point of our faith - Martin Kochanski describes it as "the bones of the mystical body of Christ." Yet, all too often, when reciting it in the "forward march of a congregation all saying the same words", we have no time to think about what we are saying.

The Creed in Slow Motion is a meditative deep dive into the essential tenets of the Christian faith. Central to Kochanski's book is the principle that the commandment to 'love the Lord your God with all your mind' shows that Christianity is rational - "if God hadn't meant us to think," he writes, "he wouldn't have given us minds... Divine reason is above our reason, but it is never unreason." In 40 short chapters, with clarity and wit, The Creed in Slow Motion explores the core beliefs of Christianity and why they are outrageous, revolutionary - and life-giving.

With a mathematician's sense of order, Kochanski breaks down the Creed into a series of words and phrases, taking time to reflect on and explore the truths of each one systematically. The Creed is not a statement simply of our belief in the existence of God, argues Kochanski, but an active assertion of our trust in God - 'not a description but a declaration... not a sequence of statements but an act.' This thought-provoking, multi-layered and witty exposition draws on a wide range of disciplines - including modern fiction, philosophy, physics, chemistry, maths, Greek mythology, Bible passages, geography, music, films, art and plumbing - as well as Kochanski's own original modern- day parables about scissors, signposts, and vinaigrette, to mention but a few.

In doing so, Kochanski addresses a wide range of questions and topics, including:

- Why faith is much more than cultural identity
- How understanding the truth of the Creed will not only help us to grow in our faith but will also help us to help others who are searching for faith
- Owning the creed for ourselves
- Why God has no name
- The outrageousness of calling God 'Father'
- Why we should be grateful to disbelievers

The Creed in Slow Motion by Martin Kochanski. Published by Martin Kochanski..