Biography:
Talbot was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started learning to play the guitar at an early age. At age 15 he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk-rock band formed with his older brother Terry.
Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion and Buddhism to Christianity. At this point he and his brother, Terry, joined the Jesus Movement, recording the album Reborn which was re-released by Sparrow Records (originally released as The Talbot Brothers on the Warner Brothers label).
Two solo albums followed for Talbot: John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977). Both of these were produced by Billy Ray Hearn.
Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan center in Indianapolis. He became a Roman Catholic and joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion.
Talbot moved The Little Portion to Eureka Springs, Arkansas on land he had purchased during his Mason Proffit days. He founded his own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, at Little Portion Hermitage as an "integrated monastic community" with celibate brothers and sisters, singles, and families. By 1989, Talbot had married Viola Pratka (with the permission of the Catholic Church). Pratka was a former Incarnate Word Sister who had come to the community in 1986.
Per the community's General Constitutions, Talbot's title is "General Minister and Spiritual Father". For many years, he has promoted the work of Mercy Corps.
The hermitage suffered a fire in April 2008 in which the chapel, library and many common areas were destroyed.
On April 10, 2010 the Bishop of Little Rock, Anthony Taylor, dedicated the new buildings. On October 2, 2010 the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage celebrated the opening of the new monastery church and common center.
Credo
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I believe in Jesus Christ his Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Three in one
I believe in God
Maker of heaven and earth
Seen and unseen
I believe
I believe in God
I believe in Jesus Christ
The Son of God
Fully man and fully God
I believe
I believe in God
Light from light
God from God
Begotten not made
One in being with the Father
I believe in God
Born to this world of the virgin Mary
Suffered and died and was crusified
But on the third day
He rose from the dead
I believe in God
Alleluia, alleluia
I believe in the Holy Spirit
The Lord and the giver of life
Proceeds from the Father and Son
He has spoken through the prophets
I believe in God
I believe
I believe in God
I believe
I believe
I believe in God
I believe in God's people
One holy apostolic catholic Church
The forgiveness of sins (one baptism)
The communion of the saints
I believe in God
I believe in God
I believe
I believe in God the Father
I believe in God the Son
I believe in God the Spirit
I believe in God
I believe that Jesus Christ
Will come again
To judge the living and the dead (resurrection of the dead)
We'll rise in him
I believe in God
I believe
I believe in God
I believe in God the Father
I believe in God the Son
I believe in God the Spirit
I believe in God
The song "Credo" by John Michael Talbot is a proclamation of faith and a declaration of belief in God. The lyrics of the song are structured around the Nicene Creed, which is a statement of Christian faith widely used in the Western Church. The creed is divided into three parts, each focusing on different aspects of God's nature and work. The first part of the creed is dedicated to God the Father, the second part to Jesus Christ, and the third part to the Holy Spirit. The song begins with a declaration of faith in God the Father, Jesus Christ his Son, and the Holy Spirit, three persons in one.
The next verses of the song emphasize the divine nature of Jesus Christ. He is portrayed as the Son of God who was fully man and fully God. The lyrics also emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit as the Lord and giver of life. The song declares belief in the Holy Spirit as proceeding from the Father and Son, and as having spoken through the prophets.
The final verses of the song affirm belief in the Church, forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection of the dead. The song concludes with a repeated affirmation of faith in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. The simplicity and straightforwardness of the lyrics, combined with the melody and harmonies of the music, make the song an effective expression of Christian faith.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe in God the Father
I have faith in the existence of the Father, the creator of the universe
I believe in Jesus Christ his Son
I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and an extension of God himself
I believe in the Holy Spirit
I have faith in the existence of the Holy Spirit, a form of God that gives life to everything
Three in one
The three persons of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) are united as one God
Maker of heaven and earth
God created both the visible and invisible aspects of the universe
Seen and unseen
God created everything, both the things we can see and the things we cannot
I believe in Jesus Christ
I have faith in the existence of Jesus Christ, who is both fully human and divine
The Son of God
Jesus is the Son of God, making him a direct extension of God himself
Fully man and fully God
Jesus was both completely human and completely divine
Light from light
Jesus is the source of light, which represents hope and clarity to many people
God from God
Jesus is of the same essence as God because he was born from God
Begotten not made
Jesus was not created, but rather he comes from God the Father
One in being with the Father
Jesus is united with the Father as one God
Born to this world of the virgin Mary
Jesus was born from Mary and was not conceived through normal means
Suffered and died and was crusified
Jesus experienced great pain, was put to death, and was crucified
But on the third day
After three days after his death, he rose from the dead
He rose from the dead
Jesus came back to life after dying
I believe in the Holy Spirit
I have faith in the existence of the Holy Spirit who is responsible for the creation and sustenance of all life
The Lord and the giver of life
The Holy Spirit is a form of God who is responsible for breathing life into every living thing
Proceeds from the Father and Son
The Holy Spirit was sent out by the Father and the Son to guide humanity
He has spoken through the prophets
The Holy Spirit has spoken through those with a unique gift of prophecy
I believe in God's people
I have faith in the unity of followers of Christ as a community that serves God
One holy apostolic catholic Church
The Catholic (universal) church is one, united, holy, and follows the teachings of the apostles
The forgiveness of sins (one baptism)
Through one baptism and forgiveness of sins, we can be cleansed and establish a connection with God
The communion of the saints
All saints (godly people) in heaven and on earth share in the same faith, hope, and love
I believe that Jesus Christ
I am convinced that Jesus will come again
Will come again
Jesus will return, as he promised, to bring judgment and to save those who believe in him
To judge the living and the dead (resurrection of the dead)
Jesus will judge the living and the dead and those who believed in him will rise from the dead
We'll rise in him
We will be lifted up and join Jesus in heaven, where we will have eternal life
Contributed by Joseph L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.