There is Nothing Boring in Doctrine

The teaching about God found in the Word of God: Doctrine=didache in Greek, it means 'to instruct'. Theology derives from Theos=God and logos=Word.

Luke 1:1-4  “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,² just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. ³ With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴ so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been instructed in.”

 

Luke wrote a narrative account in consecutive order declaring the accepted truths common to the early Church believers. He mentions the fact that Theophilus (really all believers) are ‘instructed’. Greek katecheo meaning an organised form of questions and answers; a catechism; derived from the same word. In Acts 18:25 we read of Apollos who was also ‘instructed’ in the Word that he had learned by catechism. But there were bits missing.

 

So we begin to see that doctrine and theological studies are about setting out a systematic order of those things that are essential to Christian belief. This way we avoid piecemeal understanding. The goal is that we might “contend for the faith” as encouraged in Jude 3.

The study of doctrine is Theology and there are several approaches to this great subject:

1-     Exegetical Theology refers to drawing out an interpretation of scripture. This can require a use of Bible languages, archaeology and hermeneutics (establishing the perspective or filter from which interpretation is drawn.

2-     Historical Theology traces Bible history and Church history along with the viewpoints of scholars down through the ages. Conclusions and teachings are based on this.

3-     Dogmatic Theology is based in the traditions and formulated creeds of churches. Because this teaching comes from men and not scripture it has little purpose other than making its exponents feel secure.

4-     Systematic Theology makes an orderly arrangement of teachings and fundamental doctrines. It places teachings within sub-headings such as ‘soteriology’ the doctrine of salvation. This is useful for scholars.

5-     Pastoral Theology deals with the work of the ministry, covering all aspects of leading and administering churches.

6-     Biblical Theology traces the progress of truths through the books of the Bible. Taking a biblical topic and comparing the various expressions of it in the Old and New testaments etc.

God has not limited Himself to any ‘Creeds’, ‘Articles of Faith’ or ‘Doctrinal Statements’ but reveals himself by illuminating 66 books of the Bible through the power of the Holy Spirit. Church history is full of attempts to limit God to such documents and the resulting chaos of denominations and cults is evidence of this futile behaviour.  

It pleases God to step over man-made boundaries of understanding and shine a light on successive revelations of His purposes in His Word. (Psalm 43:3) No system of Theology can be the final authority on truth, only the Word of God.

The apostle Paul prophesied: “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine!”(2 Timothy 4:3). More than ever we need sound doctrine since there is a concentrated attack by the philosophies of men and devils. So many churches have now denied the faith by discarding the truth in favour of their own logical-sounding conclusions. Their objections to sound doctrine are common: 

“It does not make any difference what you believe as long as you believe in someone God/ Jesus or whatever.” It is impossible to separate Christ from his teaching; He and his Word are one. See John 7:16-17 where Jesus establishes the authority of His teaching.

“Doctrine is a dry, boring subject; we only need practical everyday teaching.” Others declare that “experience counts for more than doctrine.” It is true that doctrine is often discussed in boring ways by sometimes very dry individuals. The fault lays with the presentation not the material. The Teacher needs to seek for the unction and ‘quickening’ of the Holy Spirit as with all Bible teaching. Experience leads to tradition and self reliance. Doctrine should lead to life, theory to practice, interpretation to application and teaching to lifestyle. Experience must be governed by scripture, the subjective governed by the objective, the fallible by the infallible. Experience without these boundaries will lead to error.

“Doctrine is divisive! This is why we have so many denominations etc” Doctrine existed before the Church existed, the Church does not originate doctrine. It is individuals who reject doctrine that cause division. CP Robb Bell USA

Some claim that there is no system of doctrine originating from Jesus or the Apostles. This is trumped by Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching (doctrine) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” All teaching in scripture is not laid out in systematic order but is contained throughout.

“Right attitudes are more important to God than right doctrine”. This is an immature argument. Ultimately we grow to be right in attitude and doctrine.

Sources of Doctrine are:

1-     God: Deuteronomy 32:2 “My doctrine shall drop as rain”. 1Timothy 6:1 “That the name of God and His doctrine be no blasphemed.”

2-     Jesus: Matthew 7:28 “They were astonished at His doctrine”.

3-     The apostles: Acts 2:42 refers to the Apostles doctrine, these doctrines are expressed in Hebrews 6:1-2. We call them “first principles”.

4-     Men: Matthew 15:9 “teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.”Ephesians 4:14 warns us not to be carried about by the winds of (men’s) doctrine.

5-     Devils: 1Timothy 4:1-3 warns of the seducing doctrines of devils.

Doctrine must be pure, sound and scriptural. Titus 2:1: “Speak the things that are fitting for sound doctrine.” Doctrine must be obeyed. Romans 6:17 “...obedient at heart to the form of teaching..” Doctrine shapes character and false doctrine corrupts character. Cp. those who maxed out their credit card after some spurious end-time teachings. See 1Timothy 4:6-16 “pay close attention to yourself and your doctrine”