Theological Statement

The SWL is ecumenical yet orthodox; we foster a “mere Christian” culture while defending essential and historic Christian doctrines. Our Leadership Council and our Bluestockings in Residence affirm the following:

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son].* With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Sanctity of Life

We affirm that human life is sacred and that it begins at conception and ends at natural death. Measures taken to terminate human life prematurely, such as elective abortion and euthanasia, are strictly prohibited by God’s law. 

Sexuality

We affirm the historical, biblical definition of gender as determined by one’s biological sex and the historical, biblical definition of marriage as the divine union of one man and one woman. A married Christian is called to fidelity to his or her spouse, and unmarried Christians are called to chastity. As Christ-followers, we honor the dignity and worth of all people as made in the image of God.

*We offer latitude on the filioque.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash