"Rooted: The Apostles' Creed" By Raymon Cannata and Joshua Reitano. A Review

It's so simple. Almost too simple. It can be memorized without much sweat, as easily as the Pledge of Allegiance; and rattled off with just as much thoughtlessness. I'm talking about the Apostles' Creed. Yet its effortless simplicity can cause it's gravity to be completely overlooked. That's where the second edition of "Rooted: The Apostles' Creed" comes into play. Raymond Cannata, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New Orleans, and Joshua Reitano, pastor of New City Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, have compiled a handy and handsome guide through the Apostles' Creed in 214 paperback pages; a directory that takes the reader inwardly into healthy reflection and brings them out into hearty revelry! As the authors note, "good theology should lead to great doxology" (118), and that emphasis lingers just below the surface throughout the whole document.

The authors tease out thirteen studies that walk readers through the Apostles' Creed successively.  Each chapter begins with a passage of Sacred Scripture that gives each credal statement a biblical backdrop. Cannata and Reitano unpack the scriptural passage, while explaining a given affirmation. But they also weave into the chapters other aspects from historical theology, liturgy, sacraments, etc. Then the well documented chapters end with sundry intense study questions. I was impressed by the way both writers stayed the course and never shied away from the tough concepts, such as the Day of Judgment, heaven and hell, sin, the Holy Spirit, bodily resurrection, and so forth. And through it all good theology was leading to great doxology. 

"Rooted" was a pleasure to read. I found myself excited at times, and at other times, praying. This is a book for those who aren't Christians but want to know more, as well as for new Christians, older believers, boards of elders and deacons, upper schools and college classes. I highly recommend the book, and I warmly affirm that the good theology between these covers leads to great doxology.

My thanks goes to Raymond Cannata who gladly sent me an autographed copy of the book on my request. I used that copy for this assessment, and no one - not even Rev. Cannata - made any demands on me, nor were any diktats imposed. Therefore my evaluation is all mine, freely made, and now freely given, because I joyfully agree that "good theology should lead to great doxology."

The book can be purchased here: "Rooted"