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The Christian Faith and Meaning in Life at the Council of Nicaea and Now

Authors

Abstract

The Nicene Creed has provided a standard statement of Christian beliefs that is used in many Christian communities. It could be seen as a basis for the ‘sacred cosmos’ in which Christian believers may locate themselves and find meaning in life. Interviews with 44 Australian church attenders during 2024 and 2025, revealed that the general tone by which faith is presented is more important to them than its detail. The majority of attenders spoke of small groups, either within or outside of their churches, being most significant in providing them with meaning in life. Meaning arose primarily in social contexts where individuals felt that they were valued and where they in turn could contribute value. Perhaps Constantine’s initial assessment of the Arian controversy as being ‘too abstruse’ for most people is correct. St. Paul reminds us that our knowledge ‘will pass’, but love remains, and it is in loving and supportive relationships that most people find meaning.

Author Biographies

Philip Hughes, Christian Research Association, Alphacrucis College

Former Senior Research Officer, Christian Research Association.

Emeritus Professor, Alphacrucis University College.

Honorary Research Fellow, University of Divinity

Fleur Creed, Alphacrucis University College

Dr Fleur Creed is an Honorary Postdoctoral Associate at Alphacrucis University College.

Johannes Luetz, Alphacrucis University College

Johannes Luetz is Professor of Sustainability and Religion, Director of Graduate Research and Research Development, Chair Human Research Ethics Committee at Alphacrucis University College. He is also Adjunct Associate Professor University of New South Wales and Adjunct Professor University of the Sunshine Coast.

Jessica Nelson, Christian Research Association

Jessica Parsons is a research assistant with the Christian Research Association. 

Stephen Reid, Christian Research Association

Dr Stephen Reid is a Senior Researcher and Research Coordinator with the Christian Research Association and also works concurrently as a Senior Researcher with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s National Centre for Pastoral Research.

Enqi Weng, Deakin University

Dr Enqi Weng is a teaching fellow at Deakin University, School of Communication and Creative Arts. She is also an honorary associate at Whitley College, University of Divinity.

Robyn Wrigley-Carr, Whitley College, University of Divinity

Associate Professor in Spirituality and Spiritual Care at Whitley College. 

Published

2026-05-19

Versions

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Contemporary Ministry

Section

Peer Reviewed Articles

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