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325 AD A Simulation Game Software Sharing Ministries 2020 North Fremont Street Tacoma, Washington 98406 206-756-7980 Jesus Christ Jesus Christ Who are you? What have you sacrificed? Jesus Christ Superstar Do you think you're what they say you are? --from the rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR THE NATURE OF CREEDS -------------------- Before we describe the actual simulation game 325 AD, it might be best to point out a few characteristics of creeds: Creeds have to be expressed in the language of a particular time and place. The concepts and terms which they use are dateable within an unique history. Once creeds have come into being, they begin to shape history too. The Nicene Creed influenced the piety, worship, and cultural involvement of later generations of Christians. Creeds are judged by history as well as produced in history. The Nicene Creed is a notable example of a creed that had to wait the confirmation of history. It was debated for 50 years before it became the consensus of the early church. Creeds are examined, corrected, rejected, and confirmed by history. In the long run, they have to be confirmed not by some assembly so much as by the people of God themselves. In the early church, creeds were a standard, a battle cry, a testimony and witness to the world. During the days of the early church persecution and oppression afforded an occasion for a Christian confession. Today we are also called to declare our belief. There is a need that is always present-- the need for commitment. THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA: 325 AD ---------------------------- This simulation game focuses on the creed that eventually came from the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Go back to that time and place: The business that brought well over 300 bishops to Nicaea from all over the known world was to find a solution to the conflict that had seriously troubled the Eastern world for years. The cause was a new theology about a basic mystery of Christianity. It was a very complicated issue. A man named Arius taught that Jesus Christ was a "pure creature, made out of nothing, liable to fall, the Son of God by adoption, not by nature, and called God in Scripture, not as being really such, but only in name..." This complicated statement was new. Arius preached that Jesus Christ was a creature, that he was made by God, that he had a beginning, and that he was subject to change. To Arius, Jesus Christ was neither fully God nor fully human, but somewhere in between. This was in conflict with those who upheld that Jesus Christ and God were one: "Christ is eternal, like in essence to the Father, and wholly uncreated..." At this point the arguments get even more complicated. And more unclear. Enough to say that a bitter controversy continued until Emperor Constantine stepped in and called together church representatives at Nicaea. The Council opened by an address by Constantine, who then asked the representatives to present their views. Violent controversy broke out as to the true nature of Jesus Christ. Eventually through time and compromise, there came forth the basis for what came to be known as the Nicene Creed. The debate and controversy at Nicaea demonstrates for us today that creeds come from real life experiences of the Holy Spirit interfacing with social and political forces. Again, creeds attempt to express what we assume to be the Christian faith to be so it can be communicated to others. Two creeds stand out in the early church: THE APOSTLES' CREED and THE NICEAN CREED: THE APOSTLES' CREED ------------------- I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. THE NICENE CREED ---------------- We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. SEQUENCE OF SIMULATION ACTIVITIES FOR 325 AD ---------------------- PRECOUNCIL ACTIVITIES (20-40 minutes) --------------------- 1. Form the participants into groups of 4-6 each. 2. Ask each player to use one of the poetry forms in describing what they believe about Jesus Christ: who he is, what he does, and so what. The use of magazine pictures is suggested to supplement the poem. The pictures selected should demonstrate their belief in Jesus Christ. 3. Ask each player to share their poems within their groups. 4. Each group is now to work together in designing one poem about Jesus Christ. This project can use any number of poetry forms. 5. Each group is to give themselves a name, a symbol, and a slogan based solely on this poem. 6. Ask each group to prepare a banner out of the art materials available on their theme of Jesus Christ. These materials can be construction paper and glue, or more sophisticated materials such as described in the fine book HOW IS A BANNER (see media resource list for details). CREATING THE ENVIRONMENT (5-20 minutes) ------------------------ We have found it best at this time to give some infor- mation about the nature of creeds, confessions, and the Council of Nicaea. Highly recommended is the sound filmstrip COUNCIL OF NICAEA (see media resource list for details). Whatever means you select, provide time for each small group to reflect on the information. It is important that all the players understand the nature of the Council of Nicaea and why, basically, it was convened. THE COUNCIL: PARTICIPANT'S INSTRUCTIONS (1-2 hours) --------------------------------------- Emperor Constantine has assembled various Christian traditions from throughout the known world. You and your group have been summoned to represent your tradition. The Emperor has called the Council together in order that a statement, a confession, on Jesus Christ can be drawn up. He has decreed that the Council is limited to a maximum of 75 words in their confession and that the structure and rules for the Council are: 1. The Council shall elect an Archbishop who shall moderate the Council under the guidance of Emperor Constantine. 2. Each group will select two of their members to be bishops. These bishops will be the only ones permitted to vote. The other group members will act as advisors and negotiators for the bishops. 3. The Council will begin with each group presenting their banners and poems. 4. Each group then shall have about 15 minutes in which to come up with a proposal to submit to the Council. They may submit words, phrases, or complete statements that could be included in the confession. 5. After each group has submitted their proposal, one of the bishops of that group must give a one minute speech on why it should be included in the confession. 6. The Archbishop shall then call for free discussion among the representatives for 5-10 minutes. This is the time that bishops and their advisors may talk freely with other groups. 7. After the free discussion period, the Archbishop calls for votes on the various proposals. The proposals with at least 3/4 majority shall become a part of the confession. 8. Steps #4-7 will continue until the Archbishop and the Emperor determine there is sufficient material from which to design the confession. 9. Each group then is given 10-20 minutes to draw up a confession based on the various proposals that received majority votes as well as those materials suggested by the Archbishop and the Emperor. 10. Each group then submits their proposed confession, and bishops make their speeches as before in step #5. Again there is 5-10 minutes of free discussion between groups. 11. The Archbishop calls for a vote. The proposal with 3/4 majority of votes becomes the confession of the Council. If there is not enough votes, the simulation continues, with the groups returning to steps #9-10, compromises made until a proposal passes. NOTES ON GAME ADMINISTRATION ---------------------------- This simulation works well with 4th through 7th grade. It has often been used in youth programs as well as with adults. Excellent for use in a confirmation class. We have found it best that the game administrator role play the part of Emperor Constantine. Play the part any way you want. Improvise! Where appropriate, use gowns, etc. Having the participants dress up as 4th century bishops and clergy adds a lot to the game. Creating a creative climate for the simulation is very important. The use of media, discussions, art work, etc. all will help a great deal. We highly suggest the use of the sound filmstrip COUNCIL OF NICAEA. The enclosed list of media resources suggests other possibilities. Use the sequence of simulation activities as a model, change it as you see fit. Many times it is appropriate to meet with a few of the players ahead of time in order to get their ideas and sharing of leadership. Work at a pace that is neither hectic nor a drag. It will take a couple of hours to play. This may mean a couple of classroom sessions in sequence. Perhaps a retreat. Play the simulation however it fits your players and the time you have available. Work closely with the Archbishop. You may want to select this person before the simulation begins, or let the participants select a candidate. Explain to this player ways to moderate the Council meeting (this is up to you). While the Council representatives are working on their proposals, go over procedures of the simulation run. Have the groups write their various proposals and poems on large pieces of newsprint for all to see. Post these in a conspicuous place. The use of an overhead projector and transparencies is an excellent idea. Keep the process of confession designing going until you and the Archbishop think there is enough material to be voted on. Don't expect another Apostle's Creed or Nicaea Creed. The confession must arrive out of the participant's life style, insights, and language. You may want to reproduce the participant's instructions for all the players. This can be copied, or on a large piece of newsprint, or on an overhead transparency. Be sure to follow through with discussion activities that enable the participants to reflect on their simulation experiences. Reflection on one's experiences is where authentic learning takes place. Become a facilitator for this to happen! DISCUSSION ACTIVITIES --------------------- Read the various confessions of the church: the Nicene Creed, the Apostle's Creed, your denominational creed-- plus the confession the Council arrived at. Are there any similarities? Major differences? What was left out? What is unique to each? Explore the feelings of developing a confession. Why was it important to develop creeds and confessions in the early church? Is it important today? Why? Does it make a difference? What personal concerns were expressed during the designing of the confession? How did each player contribute to the final confession decided upon? Prepare a banner based on the Council's confession. Display it in the church sanctuary and have a couple of players report on its meaning. Create filmstrips, slides, or multimedia presentations on the Council's confession. Show these at a congregational meeting or family night. BASIC RESOURCE MATERIALS NEEDED FOR GAME ------------------------ Poetry Forms: enough for each player and team Large pieces of construction paper (3' x 5') or large sheets of newsprint Marking pens of various colors Small bottles of glue Collections of old magazines Banner making materials Filmstrip: COUNCIL OF NICAEA (if possible) see media resource listings for details MEDIA RESOURCES --------------- BOOKS ON CONFESSIONS AND CREEDS: Baillie: GOD WAS IN CHRIST [Scribner's & Sons] Cullman: THE EARLIEST CHRISTIAN CONFESSIONS [Lutterworth] Kelly: EARLY CHRISTIAN CREEDS [Longmans, Green & Co.] McGiffert: THE APOSTLE'S CREED [Scribner's & Sons] Outler: THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION AND THE UNITY WE SEEK [Oxford University Press] Walker: A HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH [Scribner] BANNER MAKING: Jurack: HOW IS A BANNER [Christian Art Associates, 1801 W. Greenleaf Ave., Chicago IL 60626] SOME RECORDINGS DEMONSTRATING CREEDS: ALLELU (F.E.L. Records) THE AMERICAN FOLK SONG MASS (F.E.L. Records) CEREMONY (A&M Records) GODSPELL (Bell Records) JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Decca Records) KOL NIDRE (Reprise Records) THE MASS FOR PEACE (Avant Garde Records) MASS FOR YOUNG AMERICANS (F.E.L. Records) MASS IN F MINOR (Reprise Records) PRAISE THE LORD IN MANY VOICES, Part I & II (Avant Garde) REJOICE (Scepter Records) THE UNIVERSE IS SINGING (GIA Records) FILMS: IT'S ABOUT THIS CARPENTER [New York University, Film Library, 26 Washington Pl., New York NY 10003] NEW BORN AGAIN [Grailville, Loveland OH 45140] FILMSTRIPS: CHRISTIANS AT CORINTH [Lutheran Church Supply Store,22 West Madison St., Chicago IL 60602] COUNCIL OF NICAEA [United Church of Christ, Office of Audio- Visuals, 1720 Chouteau Ave., St. Louis MO 63103] IMAGES OF CHRIST SERIES [Thomas Klise Co., P.O. Box 3418, Peoria IL 61414] POETRY FORMS ------------ We have found that most of the young players of 325 AD need a framework in which to express themselves about Jesus Christ. Poetry is one of the several excellent vehicles to do this. Two basic poetry forms that we have found that are most appropriate in this simulation are Topic/Cinquain Poems and Haiku Poems. The first form is the simplest. A TOPIC POEM is composed of five lines. The first line contains only one word, a noun-- and usually the topic of the poem. The second line contains two adjectives relating to the noun. The third line has three verbs. The fourth line has a four word comment. The fifth line is a single word which is synonymous with that used in the first line. See example below: A CINQUAIN POEM is much like the TOPIC POEM, but tra- ditionally the fourth line is composed of four words that describe a feeling about the title (first line). ____ Christ ____ ____ Self Giving ____ ____ ____ Loving, Resurrecting, Healing ___ ___ ___ ___ Is One With God ____ Brother HAIKU POEMS are a little more difficult. It is composed of three lines having 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively: Jesus My Brother He led me through a desert He gives me more life These poetry forms should be made available to the players with brief explanations for writing.