In the ancient church the Apostle’s Creed was no abstract doctrine but spiritual life itself. It was taught as a weapon in spiritual warfare, and all persons coming to baptism were required to memorize it and live in its truth. . . . The spiritual conflict of this world is not between the spirit and physical flesh. Instead, this world’s spiritual conflict is a life lived under God’s reign versus life lived in rebellion against God’s purposes for creation.
-Robert Webber, The Divine Embrace: Recovering the Passionate Spiritual Life (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2006), 34.