There’s a word we hear a lot as a Christian.
Doctrine.
What is doctrine? Why is it talked about so much? Is it as important as everyone makes it out to be?
My goal is to answer these questions, looking at the Biblical understanding of doctrine.
First, let’s get a little background and look at some terms, starting with the word “theology.” Theology is not found in Scripture itself, however, it is an important term for a Christian to know, meaning “God-talk, i.e., the act (or product) of studying, discoursing, or writing about God,” and it “refers to any deliberate effort to learn and/or teach about God and his relation to his creation” (Cottrell 9). Therefore, every professing Christian practices theology, so it cannot be neglected as a critical component of being a Christian.
Doctrine is closely related to theology, but contrary to theology, it is actually a biblical term. Depending upon Bible translation, doctrine is usually translated as teaching or instruction. The original Greek word in the Bible is didaskalia, which means “teaching, instruction…that which is taught, doctrine” (Blue Letter Bible). The word itself “comes from the Latin doctrina, ‘teaching,’ which comes from docere, ‘to teach, to show’” (Cottrell 10). How are doctrine and theology connected? “Sometimes these words are used interchangeably…[however] theology (truth) is one branch of Christian doctrine, and ethics (what’s right) is another. …All theology is doctrine, even though not all doctrine is theology (i.e., some of it is ethics)” (Cottrell 10-11).
With this background in mind, let us look more specifically at how we see doctrine in Christianity.
As I mentioned, doctrine is cited in the Bible, however, it is translated as teaching or instruction.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching (doctrine), for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching (doctrine). Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
So, already, Scripture reveals truth about how serious doctrine is in the life of a Christian. It’s not something to belittle or neglect; if one is a genuine Christian, they can’t—it’s impossible. It’s like someone saying he is a great pilot but wants nothing to do with airplanes. Pilots use airplanes to carry out their profession. To deny an airplane is nonsense. Likewise, for a Christian to deny doctrine is absurd.
To break it down even further, let’s see how doctrine plays out in a Christian’s life.
Core Biblical Doctrine/Teaching examples:
•Knowing the nature and character of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
•Knowing the Gospel—how we are separated from God by sin, and how we can be reconciled to God (i.e., through Jesus alone—life, death, resurrection, ascension of Jesus—who He is and what was done as our substitutionary atonement).
•The steps of salvation—belief of the Gospel, confession, repentance, and baptism—we are saved by grace, through faith, at baptism
•The outcome of one genuinely saved—sanctification through the Holy Spirit and His moral power for good works in obedience—God’s measure of holiness for the lives of Christians—known by the fruit we bear—become like Christ
•The Great Commission—the command and how to make disciples
•Specific instructions for the church—individually and collectively
These are some examples (not an exhaustive list) of the primary truths of doctrine. There is no negotiation to these. They are consequential truths to the Christian faith, and when someone gets even one of these wrong, their entire faith is built on a lie.
There are also secondary aspects of doctrine/teaching, such as the way the church’s service should be organized or eschatological (end time) views. Many Christians have disagreements on these topics, but they are minor truths, and the church should work together towards unity (Ephesians 4), striving for peace and not dissension.
All in all, Christianity and Christ’s church is built on the foundation of doctrine. Therefore, doctrine cannot be ignored or mistreated. Actually, we cannot emphasize doctrine enough!
And a warning to keep in mind: “the Bible is not always the foundation upon which people or churches build their doctrinal statements…. [many] do not easily submit to God’s decrees, so [they] often pick and choose the part of the Bible [they] are comfortable with and discard the rest. Or [they] replace what God says with man-made doctrine or tradition. This is nothing new. Jesus rebuked the Scribes and Pharisees for ‘teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’ (Mark 7:7) …False doctrine was rampant in New Testament times, and Scripture tells us it will continue” (Got Quesitons.org1).
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching (doctrine), but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.”
“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.”
Galatians 1:6-10 (Paul’s harsh words about those distorting the Gospel—essential doctrine)
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
The Bible warns us over and over about those who will come and are already in the church perverting and twisting Scripture and offering false doctrine/false teaching.
“Doctrine is the worldview by which we govern our lives. If our doctrine is based soundly upon Scripture, we can know we are walking the path God designed for us. However, if we do not study the Word of God for ourselves (2 Timothy 2:15), we are led more easily into error” (Got questions.org1)
“…knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.”
“’Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.'”
We must know what we believe and why we believe it in order to successfully defend the Christian faith. We may never be an “expert,” because we are always learning, but we must be intentional about reading and studying Scripture in proper exegesis and hermeneutics – growing and maturing, seeking and living out truth.
“…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”
If we do not know what we believe and why we believe it, we cannot be prepared to make a defense. We cannot share the Gospel. We cannot rightly be a Christian.
1While GotQuestion’s beliefs and views are not 100% my own, and some stand in contrast to true biblical doctrine, they have some helpful commentary and information [meat and bones].
References
Cottrell, Jack. The Faith Once for All. College Press. 2002
Blue Letter Bible. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages
Got Question (n.d.). What is Doctrine? Retrieved May 21, 2022, from What is doctrine? | GotQuestions.org
All Scripture (unless otherwise noted): English Standard Version Bible. 2021. BibleHub.com and
English Standard Version Bible. 2016. Crossway