Newly Published Book by Rev. Dr. Peter B. Doghramji, ‘Exploring Our Faith: In the Words of the Apostles' Creed’

By Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian

Although previously appearing in the form of a series of articles in the monthly “News Bulletin” of the Armenian Martyrs’ Congregational Church of Havertown, Pa., from 1977-79, the Rev. Dr. Peter B. Doghramji’s present volume, Exploring Our Faith: In the Words of the Apostles’ Creed, is a most welcome addition to contemporary Armenian Evangelical literature.

Cover of Exploring Our Faith: In the Words of the Apostles’ Creed — Cover of *Exploring Our Faith: In the Words of the Apostles’ Creed*

Rev. Doghramji is one of the most distinguished Armenian Evangelical theologians in our days. In 37 brief chapters, he takes up line by line and word by word the Apostles’ Creed and discusses its meaning to us. The Apostles’ Creed is one of the most ancient and important creeds of Christendom, which summarizes the essential and foundational beliefs of the Christian Church.

Speaking of the Christian Creeds and how they were formulated, it must be stated that even in the early centuries of Christendom, when thousands of martyrs were dying for their faith, there were those within the ranks of the church who were questioning and challenging some of its basic teachings. The church tried to define its faith. In doing so, it often engaged in a battle between orthodoxy and heresy.

Orthodoxy (derived from a Greek term meaning “right opinion”) slowly and gradually took form through give-and-take arguments, scriptural interpretations, and decisions of the Ecumenical Councils. Heresy was a departure from the accepted orthodox doctrine.

The struggle between orthodoxy and heresy produced several creeds of universal significance. Every plank in the platform of a creed was laid because some heresy had arisen, threatening to change the nature of Christianity. In facing heresy, Christians were forced to think out the implications of their faith and convictions.

Although not written by Jesus’ Apostles themselves, the Apostles’ Creed contains the main teachings of the Apostles. The creed probably originated in the 2^nd century, but was developed through a few centuries until it received its final form.

The Apostles’ Creed deals primarily with God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. But it also covers other essential themes such as the church, the communion of saints, sin and salvation, heaven and hell, and life everlasting.

In this book, Rev. Doghramji, with inspiring zeal and profound theological reflection, explores the implications of the basic tenets of the church in our daily lives.

Born in Aleppo, Syria, Peter Butros Doghramji received his college and seminary education at Aleppo College in Syria, the American University of Beirut, and the Near East School of Theology in Beirut. After serving Assyrian, Armenian, and Presbyterian churches and educational institutions for about two decades, Rev. Doghramji came to the United States and did his graduate work at Harvard Divinity School, receiving a Master of Theology degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Rev. Doghramji is a retired veteran Armenian Evangelical minister who has served more than six decades in various pastoral, educational, and administrative positions in Syria, Lebanon, and in the United States. He is a pastor, educator, and an administrator par excellence. Whether an elementary school principal or college president in Aleppo; or professor of theology at the Near East School of Theology in Beirut; or a pastor in Aleppo, Jezireh, Havertown, Downey, Hollywood, and New York, Rev. Doghramji’s career has included all three areas of pastoral, educational, and administrative ministries.

Rev. Doghramji also played an important role in the Armenian Evangelical Union of America (AEUNA), first as charter member and later as its first executive secretary, chair of Ministry Committee, chair of Theological and Ethical Commission, and moderator. He became a good will ambassador of the Armenian Evangelicals to non-Armenians when he served as conference minister of the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ in Pennsylvania.

Standing in the tradition of the pastor-theologian, the Rev. Dr. Peter B. Doghramji, through this book, once again proves the fact that he is not only an astute theologian but also a keen observer and a perceptive analyst of our contemporary culture and society.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this thought-provoking book and highly recommend it to the reading public.

To purchase a copy of Exploring Our Faith: In the Words of the Apostles’ Creed, contact AMAA by calling (201) 265-2607 or visiting www.amaa.org. The cost of each book is $10.00 plus shipping and handling.