In September 2011, NavPress released Winfield Bevins’ Creed: Connect to Basic Essentials of Historic Christian Faith. Winfield is an alumnus of SEBTS, a church planter in the Outer Banks, and an important voice in church planting circles. In light of the release of Creed, we asked Winfield for a brief interview about his book, which I have reproduced below:

1. Tell us a bit about yourself, your family, and your ministry.

I live in the Outer Banks of North Carolina with my wife Kay and two daughters Elizabeth and Anna Belle. My wife and I moved here six years ago from Tennessee to plant Church of the Outer Banks. We began meeting in a home with only five people in June 2005. Since that time, the church has grown to several hundred people. This is an amazing place to live because I get to do some of my favorite things; surf, write, and take long walks on the beach with my family.

The last twelve months have been pretty big for me. In December 2010, I earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southeastern Theological Seminary, in Wake Forest, NC. Then on September 1st, I published Creed: Connect to Basic Essentials of Historic Christian Faith (Nav Press).

2. What was the impetus for writing this book? And why did you feel the need to write it?

One of the primary reasons for writing Creed was to fill a void that I saw in a lot of current discipleship books. A lot of the stuff that is out there is either too academic, or too watered down that you don’t even get the gospel. I wanted to write a discipleship tool that helped real people connect with real doctrine in a way that was simple, yet profound. While at the same time helping readers reconnect to the historic roots of the Christian faith.

An important thing about the book is that it grew out of the context of my local church. I wrote it as a real pastor for real church people. I first wrote Creed as a small bible study several years ago for new believers and it grew from there.

3. What is the primary argument (thesis) of the book?

The primary argument of the book is that Christians need to rediscover the historic foundations of the Christian faith by revisiting the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments. The Apostles’ Creed addresses the doctrinal foundation; the Ten Commandments address the ethical foundation; and the Lord’s Prayer addresses the spiritual foundation. When the doctrinal, ethical, and spiritual dimensions are woven together, they offer us a balanced model for the Christian life. These three summarize the heart of Christianity and offer us a glimpse of the Christian faith as a whole.

4. What, above all, do you wish for readers to know and/or do because of the book?

First and foremost, I want readers to know that doctrine matters and is an essential part of Christian faith. Most books on doctrine are not accessible to the average Christian. Christian doctrine is not just for knowing, but for living. The essentials give us a foundation to build our life upon. What we believe about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit shapes and influences how we live. Doctrine helps us live out the Christian faith and message.

The Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments provide us with a doctrinal and moral compass to live by and for. Like a road map, they provide us with a clear and concise summary of what Christians should know and believe from the Bible. You can find out more about Creed at www.creedthebook.com.