One of the greatest concerns that I have about modern evangelicalism is a tendency to be theological without being explicitly grounded in sound biblical doctrine. The word “doctrine” comes from the Greek word “”didaskolos” and means “teaching.” Doctrine helps Christians know who God is, what He has done, what the Trinity is, the deity of Christ, His resurrection, salvation, justification, and much more. Doctrine defines the Who and the what of Christianity.
Is doctrine important?
We are living in a time when many people would rather focus on felt needs or view their faith in private terms rather than making it known publicly. But here’s the truth: everyone has doctrine. Even the person who believes that they are the center of the universe has doctrine as they view themselves to be the source of truth in a post-modern perspective. If doctrine is what we believe to be the ground of truth, then even those who believe in evolution or other such ideas have doctrine. The key to having sound biblical doctrine is to be grounded in the Word of God. And the outgrowth of our doctrinal understanding is theology, the study of God. The goal of Christian theology is to learn about God, His nature, His will, and how they apply to our lives. While doctrine is interested in what we believe from God’s Word, theology is concerned with the application of that truth to our lives and the construction of a biblically based worldview.
For example, it is a doctrinal statement that you are a sinner (Rom.3:23; 6:23). The Bible declares that Jesus bore our sin in His body on the cross ((1 Peter 2:24) so that we could be justified by faith (Rom.5:1) and escape the righteous wrath of God (John 3:36). Doctrine is vital to our relationship with God and our salvation. Biblical doctrine anchors Christians in truth to alleviate them from drifting into false teaching.
Why bother?
Sadly, many Christians today would rather not bother with doctrine. The attitude is often “Doctrine is for academics, not for me because it doesn’t meet my felt-needs”. When people take the “felt need approach”, they think that God’s Word is designed only to help them feel better. When everyone is concerned with what they “feel” rather than what God has said in His Word we encounter a problem, namely that Truth doesn’t always make us feel good. This is why people would rather ignore the Truth of God’s Word. The Bible warns us about this attitude in 2 Timothy 4:3, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,” and to guard and examine ourselves to make sure we are in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5).
Some people focus on felt-needs.
For such people, feeling their way through the Bible means asking such questions as, “What does this verse mean to you?” Yet, there is a fundamental flaw to this question because it focuses not on what the text says, but rather on what we feel. Rather than asking, “What does that verse mean to you?” we should ask, “What does this verse say?” Biblical examination is concerned with what the Bible teaches which once known, requires us to conform to its truth. The felt-needs approach to biblical interpretation is dangerous. To examine what the Bible teaches is to engage in sound principles, doctrinal clarity, and conforming to the Truth of God’s Word.
Doctrine is the lifeblood of the Christian life.
When coming to the Bible, don’t treat it as a book that is only meant to make you feel good or to provide the path to riches. True Bible study is centered on both mastering and letting the Word of God master you. You learn doctrine in order to be anchored in the Truth of God’s inspired, inerrant, sufficient, and authoritative Word. This is why you need to learn the basics of doctrine such as Jesus is God in flesh, salvation is by grace, the Trinity, and there will be a future resurrection. Also, in order to grow in the things of God and His Word, it is important to learn more advanced doctrine such as God’s covenant system throughout history, the priesthood of Christ, the difference between justification and sanctification, the righteousness of God, and so much more.
What we need is a posture of humility toward God’s Word.
Rather than focusing on felt-needs and viewing the Christian faith as some privatized part of life, come to the Bible with an attitude of humility and view it as it is, God’s Word to you. Do not be deceived by man-centered expectations and wants but rather hear, heed, and obey the Word of God by accepting its doctrinal teaching as formative for all of life. Then conform yourself to the Word by the renewing of your mind. This is what the Lord tells us to do: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect,” (Romans 12:2). Finally, in a world that is tossed to and fro, biblical doctrine provides the Christian a solid foundation for their life in Christ and ministry for Christ to the glory of God.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
If you’d like to get started in learning more about Christian doctrine, you can start with BLB study resources or take a free theology course at the Blue Letter Bible Institute.
JINGJING39 says
April 24, 2014 at 11:17 amAMEN!!!!!!!!! (1 Timothy 4:16) Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.
Lee Saffold says
April 24, 2014 at 9:13 pmDave:
I truly appreciate your advocating the importance of the Doctrine of Christ in the life of a Christian. I am also pleased to note that when you speak of the Doctrine you speak of the importance of the great themes on which most Christians firmly agree. I am a Christian and decided a
long time ago to follow Christ wherever he leads through a study of God’s eternal and living word. I consider everyone who believes that Christ is the son of the living God, have submitted to him as Lord, and obey him in all things to be Christians.
While I refuse to be “sectarian” and belong to one sect of Christianity in opposition to another sect, I do believe that there are Christians among all of them and yearn for the day when we can all be called Christians united under the headship of Christ with “no divisions among us”.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions
among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” [1Co 1:10 KJV] 10
I submit to all the idea that it is impossible for us to be so united if we
ignore the doctrine of Christ. Indeed, even Christ, our Lord, explained that those who “will to do his will” would “know of the doctrine”.
“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself. [Jhn 7:17 KJV]”
How can one be among those who would do his will without knowing of the doctrine of Christ?
And it seems that we would be wise to follow the example of
the first Christians who “continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine” for if they had failed to do so we may never have become Christians ourselves.
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” [Act 2:42 KJV]
Sadly most of the divisions and offenses that continue to
harm the cause of Christ today were caused by things that were “contrary to the doctrine”.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause
divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” [Rom 16:17 KJV]
And who can doubt the truth that false doctrines deceive us and cause us to be “tossed to and fro” in a state of confusion.
“That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and
fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men,
[and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” [Eph 4:14 KJV]
WE must avoid things that are contrary to “sound doctrine”
“For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with
mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;” [1Ti 1:10 KJV]
Paul admonished Timothy to attend to doctrinal matters and
thereby taught us to do the same.
“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to
doctrine.” [1Ti 4:13 KJV]
And the importance of doing so is to save ourselves and
those who hear us.
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in
them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”[1Ti
4:16 KJV]
The elders among us who labor in word and doctrine are especially
to be given double honor.
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double
honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” [1Ti 5:17 KJV]
We should live our lives in such a way that the doctrine of
God “be not blasphemed”.
“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own
masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and [his] doctrine be not blasphemed.”[1Ti 6:1 KJV]
And the reason we are to go to the scripture for our teaching is because it is inspired of God.
“All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is]
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:” [2Ti 3:16 KJV]
We are to pay attention to doctrine as we go about preaching the word.
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” [2Ti 4:2 KJV]
It seems to me that we are unfortunately living in the times when men will not endure sound doctrine.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,having itching ears;” [2Ti 4:3 KJV]
But we must not despair but rather “hold fast to the faithful word” so that we can exhort and convince the gainsayers.
“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that
he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” [Tit 1:9 KJV]
And the things that we speak should “become sound doctrine”.
“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:” [Tit 2:1 KJV]
But most important of all we must “abide in the doctrine of Christ” if we hope to have God and Christ with us.
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of
Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” [2Jo 1:9 KJV]
No Christian should “bid God speed” to anyone who does not “bring”
the doctrine of Christ with him when he comes to us.
“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed:” [2Jo 1:10 KJV]
Kalon says
April 26, 2014 at 7:40 amThanks for writing that blog. I agree with what you said. Felt-needs are indeed the focus of what passes for Christianity in many evangelical circles. I grew up in a pentecostal church that was for the most part unaffiliated with any one denomination. As a child I was made to listen to the preacher’s message intently, so I could understand what was being said. I’m glad my mother made me do that. I read the bible as a child quite a bit and as a result I developed a love of the word of God. Even as a child I recognized problems in that church with doctrine. I was told by one pastor in that church that doctrine was not that important, that I was being too intellectual, too specific. However, I knew what I read was accurate and true. My wife and I now go to a church where I know there’s an emphasis on experience and doctrine. Before getting married I went to a home church for 17 years with like-minded Christians for fellowship. I learned so much about the word of God doing that time. The emphasis was on sound doctrine. The church my wife and I go to is pentecostal and I find it hard to have a serious discussion with anyone about the sermon or doctrine. It saddens me because I haven’t encountered this type of atmosphere in a long time. Clearly, if the pastor did not say it, then you are not qualified to counter it. That’s the attitude that I have encountered. As the head of my household, I have pointed out to my wife doctrinal error. It’s clear to me because I go back and compare what is being taught with the word of God. I know, with certainty, that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. This church has problems and the pastor, to his credit, has attempted to correct some doctrinal teaching. He could come out MUCH stronger against error. Ultimately, I think money has become an emphasis and controlling influence in what is being taught. Simply put, the church would be a much smaller fellowship if it wasn’t so seeker-friendly. The word of God–truth–will definitely offend the unsaved who have become “churched”. Correction is needed badly, because there are obviously (based on their lifestyle) an increasing number of unsaved, unregenerate people who attend evangelical churches. They are unchallenged in their sin.
James 1:5 says
April 26, 2014 at 6:11 pm“Bad doctrine corrupts good manners.”
Stephen Hale says
April 27, 2014 at 8:01 amDave, couldn’t agree more. Solid doctrine has been sort of drifting out to sea. It appears the world influences the church too much. The world changes (for the worse) the church goes right along. I could make a list here but you know the particulars of it. The Church has too many talented personalities who open the doors of the Church to the world and close them to Jesus.
In your article you pointed out “felt needs” as a wrong hermeneutical approach to Bible study. I agree but; I am also convinced that a real and personal relationship with Jesus is the first and most important element in Bible study. Any person who does not feel the need to know Jesus personally, before starting deeper Biblical studies, will most likely never really get it. I think such a person will experience a cycle of starting over. I’m certain that the person who starts at the Cross of Christ, with the idea of staying there, will get it. The felt need will be met supernaturally and personally at the Cross. Bible study can then commence.
From there I’d hold with you Dave: 2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from somone’s own interpretation.
dominic ortega says
May 5, 2014 at 6:54 pmthanks Dave for the blog. I have heard it said, that to give God’s Word it’s rightful place is to bring health to the church, light to the world, and glory to God. I love the metaphor of doctrine being the lifeblood of the Christian life. I am going to be passing that on for sure.