Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Christianity) An article of faith; a tenet or doctrine to be believed: A "credendum" is a specific proposition or statement of belief that forms part of a formal creed or system of religious doctrine, especially in Christianity. It represents a fundamental point of belief that adherents are expected to accept.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The Nicene Creed contains several important credenda concerning the nature of Christ.
  • As a theologian, she analyzed each credendum within the church's doctrinal statement.

Advanced Usage

• Used in formal theological or philosophical discourse: The term is primarily used in academic, ecclesiastical, or formal contexts when discussing the constituent parts of a creed or a detailed belief system.
  • The debate centered on whether this particular credendum was essential to the faith.

Variants and Related Words

• Credo (n): A statement of the beliefs or aims that guide someone's actions. While "credo" can be a personal belief system, "credendum" specifically refers to an individual item within a formal creed.
• Dogma (n): A principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true. "Dogma" is often broader and more authoritative than a single "credendum."
• Tenet (n): A principle or belief, especially one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy. "Tenet" is a more general synonym.

Synonyms

• Article of faith
• Doctrine
• Tenet
• Belief

Notes

• The word "credendum" is derived from Latin, meaning "a thing to be believed." It is a formal term rarely encountered in everyday conversation. Its plural form is credenda.

Noun

1. (Christianity) any of the sections into which a creed or other statement of doctrine is divided