Christians are fighting. Disagreements between denominations abound and there seems to be no end in sight.

Sound familiar? As it turns out, this isn’t a reference to modern times. Instead, it’s a glimpse into church history—about seventeen hundred years ago when a Roman emperor ordered Christians to find common ground.

The result of this was the Nicene Creed. It didn’t solve everything; Christians have continued to debate theological points with fervor, and the creed itself has been the subject of many arguments. Evangelicals have often been not so sure about it, but in recent years, more and more seem to be reciting the creed as part of their worship practices. Why?

In a recent interview compilation at CT, more than a dozen evangelicals share their insights.

Suzanne Nicholson, a professor at Asbury University, explains that the creed helps Christians respond with truth to claims like “Jesus was just a good teacher.” Tish Harrison Warren, author of Liturgy of the Ordinary says that the creed roots Christians “in a much bigger story of God’s work.”

Whether we recite the Nicene Creed each Sunday or find its words new, may we be heartened by the message it proclaims—from the goodness of the Trinity to the surety of the Resurrection.