Deeds Not Creeds

 There was a nineteenth century  French Protestant theologian named Auguste Sabatier who coined the phrase, "Deeds not Creeds!"  There's also John Calvin, who thought Catholics were theologically ignorant because they let the Catholic hierarchy tell them what to believe in.

I can see where both these theologians are coming from.  Sabatier is telling us that one does not need to know every tenet of our faith to have faith.  Calvin is telling us that the faith of Catholics is nothing until they are taught what to believe.  To both thesis I say, "duh!"  Aren't both these claims obvious?

Sabatier's deeds come from creeds. Faith should move one to act upon the faith.  Calvin's presupposition that Catholics wouldn't know what to believe in until they're told; isn't that true of all things.  Who would know how to speak if they weren't taught, or how to eat, or walk on two legs, etc.?

Look at some Catholic hymns, some customs, folk tales and then there are opinions!, which are theologically suspect.  Do not they communicate to God?  If one had to be theologically correct then everyone is doomed.  

Look at the faith of a child receiving First Communion?  That's all you need.