The Athanasian Creed Trivia Quiz

Answer: Quicunque Vult

Sometimes the creed is known as Quicunque (or Quicumque) Vult, and sometimes it is also called the Pseudo-Athanasian Creed. This Christian statement of belief, along with the Nicene Creed and the Apostle's Creed, is one of the three major ecumenical creeds of Christianity, having wide acceptance among many Christian denominations.

Answer: Since the 6th century

Athanasius of Alexandria, who was a bishop of Alexandria in the 4th century, is traditionally credited with authoring the Creed, and he was purported to have composed it during his exile in Rome before presenting it to Pope Julius I. This traditional attribution has since been called into question. Although it is unknown precisely when the creed was authored, it was used in a sermon by Caesarius of Arles, so we can assume it has been in use since at least the 6th century, but no earlier than the 4th century.

Answer: True

Although the Nicene Creed references all three persons of the Trinity, the Athanasian Creed is the first in which their equality is explicitly stated: "The Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal" (as translated on Wikipedia).

The Athanasian Creed is typically divided into two sections, with the first 28 lines addressing the doctrine of the Trinity. This doctrine holds that there is one God in three coeternal, consubstantial persons; that is, the Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit are of one substance, essence, and nature.

Answer: omniscient (pantognóstis)

The creed uses the terms æternus (eternal), increatus (uncreated), and immensus (which is varingly translated unlimited, limitless, immeasurable, infinite, or incomprehensible) to describe each of the three persons of the Trinity. The omniscience of the Trinity is not explicitly mentioned in the creed.

"What quality the Father has, the Son has, and the Holy Spirit has.
The Father is uncreated,
the Son is uncreated,
the Holy Spirit is uncreated.

The Father is immeasurable,
the Son is immeasurable,
the Holy Spirit is immeasurable.

The Father is eternal,
the Son is eternal,
the Holy Spirit is eternal."

(translation from https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/creeds/athanasian-creed)

Answer: Lutheran

Published in 1580 in German, the "Book of Concord" contains the historic doctrines of the Lutheran Church. A portion of the Athanasian Creed may also be found in "Common Worship", a liturgical book authorized by the General Synod of the Church of England and published in 2000.

Answer: Christology

Pneumatology is the study of the Holy Spirit, patrology of the early church fathers, and eschatology of the end times. The second section of the Athanasian Creed primarily concerns itself with Christology, or the study of the person of Jesus Christ. The Athanasian Creed takes pains to negate the heresies of both Sabellianism and Arianism by emphasizing that Christ is consubstantial with the father.

Answer: False

The rhythmic nature of its 44 lines, coupled with the language of public worship (i.e. "We worship one God...") suggests the creed was indeed intended for public worship. In fact, in medieval times, the Athanasian creed was set to music and often sung like a psalm. It was also recited in public worship.

Answer: Trinity Sunday

The use of this creed is not common today in liturgical churches, but because of its emphasis on the Trinity, it is most likely to be recited on Trinity Sunday. In the Western church calendar, Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost, and celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.

Answer: Anathemas

An anathema is a formal curse of excommunication or expulsion from the Christian community. The term can be found in Paul's epistles. It comes from the Ancient Greek ἀνάθεμα, which is derived from a verb meaning "to offer up". Near the start of the creed is the warning, "Which faith unless every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly." The Athanasian creed concludes: "This is the catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved" (as translated on Wikipedia).

Answer: Eastern Orthodox

Because the creed contains the filioque clause, it never gained acceptance in the Eastern Orthodox church. Filioque is a Latin term added to the Nicene Creed to say that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father "and the Son." This disagreement over the nature of the Trinity contributed to the schism between the Eastern and Western churches.