One of the great theologians of this, or any other century, was Reinhold Niebuhr, whose leadership was fundamental in forming American Protestantism.

In his painfully honest book, Notebook of a Tamed Cynic, he admitted that in spite of fervent prayer and diligent study, he could not come to believe in the words of the creed, "the resurrection of the body".

When he joined others in confessing the Apostle’s Creed, he would become silent at that phrase. He continued this practice for most of his seminary life and several years into his first parish.

But it was there that things changed.

It was a small, struggling congregation in downtown Detroit where 40 people on a Sunday morning would be considered a good crowd.

It was there that Niebuhr began his ordained ministry and it was there that he began to realize a truth that had eluded him for many years.

As the Gospel was preached, as God’s abundant grace was shared, something miraculous happened in that little parish.

It began to grow.

A new life came over it and Bethel Church began to reach out to the community in ways never imagined. Services were added, facilities were built, ministry happened.

And one Sunday morning, in the midst of morning worship, when the congregation was confessing that ancient Apostle’s Creed, Pastor Niebuhr quietly joined them.

"I believe in the resurrection of the body."