Uskonkappale

Uskonkappale is a formal statement of the core beliefs of a religious community. The term comes from Finnish, combining usko (faith) and kappale (piece or part), and it denotes a concise declaration of what that community holds to be true about God, humanity, and the world. In Christian usage, uskonkappaleen serves as a summary of the faith to be taught, confessed in worship, and used in catechesis and baptism.

A uskonkappale typically presents a compact account of central doctrines. Common elements include belief in one God, the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit; the church as the community of believers; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the dead; and life in the world to come. Many Christian creeds also specify the divine nature and work of Jesus, including his incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection, and they affirm the church’s mission.

Historically, creeds emerged in the early Christian Church to articulate orthodox belief and to distinguish it from heresies. They were refined in ecumenical councils and have been adopted or adapted by many denominations. Two well-known examples are the Apostolinen uskonkappale (Apostles’ Creed) and the Nikeneuskonkappale (Nicene Creed), which provide shared baselines for faith statements and liturgical use in many churches.

In Finland and in Finnish religious education, uskonkappaleet play a role in teaching, worship, and ecumenical dialogue. Denominations may maintain their own versions or longer confessional statements, but the basic function remains: to articulate and protect a community’s central beliefs in a clear and communal form.