All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
How important is Doctrine and what is it?
Why do so many in the household of our Lord shy away from the word Doctrine? What comes to your mind when you think of doctrine? Are doctrines manmade?
>>"Divisions and separations are most objectionable in religion. They weaken the cause of true Christianity.- But before we blame people for them, we must be careful that we lay the blame where it is deserved. False doctrine and heresy are even worse than schism. If people separate themselves from teaching which is positively false and unscriptural, they ought to be praised rather than reproved. In such cases separation is a virtue and not a sin.
The old saying must never be forgotten, "He is the schismatic (a participant in or cause of a schism/division) who causes the schism"... Controversy in religion is a hateful thing... But there is one thing which is even worse than controversy, and that is false doctrine, allowed, and permitted without protest or molestation. ... " Iain Murray . . .</ P <>
Some among the Family of Christ feel doctrine is not important or maybe that is not the most important thing in our Christian life. They claimed love is above all. I agree that love is our highest calling and that we can have all the right doctrines and not have love, which is a travesty, but without the right doctrines/belief, we cannot love God or our neighbor according to God's will. God gave us intelligence, the ability to reason and the ability to choose. We are to love Him with our whole mind, so why would we neglect loving Him according to His will (His word), His doctrines?
If we believe erroneous doctrines we will practice the wrong attitudes and beliefs.
Mattew 16:12 (New King James Version) 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees
Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Eph 4:14 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;
1Ti 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by sojourner on
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Hi David.
There is much false teaching within the church today,Universalism,Unitarianism,Denial of the Trinity,Denial that Christ is (alone) the way to the Father,or that we are saved by grace through faith alone.
The Christian faith is being attacked by Atheists,other beliefs and from those within the church,but it is no new thing.The Christian church has been attacked from the beginning,and perhaps the biggest concern should be for those who attack the church from within:
2 Peter 2:1 " But there were false prophets also among the people,even as their will be false teachers among you,who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,even denying the Lord that bought them,and bring upon themselves swift destruction."
Two things stand out in the above verse,"privily shall bring in damnable heresies," followed by," even denying the Lord that bought them."
These false teachers will not be obvious,but by deception and flattery they attempt to corrupt the faithful,and by deception,teach the denial of the Lord Jesus Christ,and other of the foundational tenet of the Christian faith.
I know we as Christians can debate about various doctrines,which I believe is healthy when conducted in the spirit of love and understanding,and are not concerning the basic tenet of our faith.
However,we should be aware of those who seek to deceive and corrupt the true faith.They are within the Christian church,and they are within the Christian forums,as well as the media of so called christian books,video's and many websites.
Perhaps today,more than any other time in history,the Christian faith is under attack,and we as Christians must be prepared for these attack's,taking heed of Scripture:
1 Peter 4:7-14 (7) " But the end of all things is at hand:be ye therefore sober,and watch unto prayer.
(8) " And above all things have fevent charity among yourselves:for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
(9) " Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
(10) " As every man has received the gift,even so minister the same one to another,as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
(11) " If any man speaks,let him speak as the oracles of God:if any man minister,let him do it as of the ability which God giveth:that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ,to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.Amen.
(12) " Beloved,think it not strange concerning the fiery trail which is to try you,as though some strange thing happened unto you:
(13) " But rejoice,inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings;that,when his glory shall be revealed,ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
That we as Christians should be tried with a fiery trail is a point of fact,which we should rejoice in,as we share in the sufferings of our Lord and Saviour,Jesus Christ.
Sorry this is a bit longer than I intended brother : (
God Bless you.
Sojourner.
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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on
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Hey beloved Sojourner,
>>and perhaps the biggest concern should be for those who attack the church from within: They are within the Christian church,and they are within the Christian forums,as well as the media of so called christian books,video's and many websites.
You rock bro. But you didn't answer any of my questions hahaha :)
What is the Christian authority for doctrine?
Why do so many in the household of our Lord shy away from the word Doctrine?
What comes to your mind when you think of doctrine? Are doctrines manmade?
What say you bro?
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Hi David,my friend.
I didn't answer your questions? lol! Maybe I put the cart before the horse : )
Ok.I will try and address the 3 questions you pose,which (I hope) will help explain my previous post.
It is my belief that the final authority for all matters pertaining to the Christian faith is Sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone),as God's word being the final authority.
Timothy 3:16 " All scripture is given by inspiration of God,and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof,for correction,for instruction in righteousness."
Matthew 5:18 " For verily I say unto you,Till heaven and earth pass,one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law,till all be fulfilled."
I believe one of the greatest examples of Scripture as final authority,is demonstrated by Jesus (the Word made flesh),as he countered the temptations (Matthew 4:1-11).
Matthew 4:3,4 " And when the tempter came to him,he said,If thou be the Son of God,command that these stones be made bread."
4) " But he answered and said,It is written,Man shall not live by bread alone,but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
Jesus countered with "It is written (Duet'8:3),"and so referring to the authority of Scripture.
Matthew 4:6,7 " And said unto him,If thou be the Son of God,cast thyself down:for it is written,He shall give his angels charge concerning thee (Ps'91:11):and in their hands they shall bear thee up,lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone."
7) " Jesus said unto him,It is written again,Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God (Deut'6:16)."
Satan employ's Scripture in an attempt to deceive Jesus! However,he twisted the Scripture by omitting the words " to keep thee in all thy ways." The promises of God are to those whose ways are His ways.
Jesus counters again with "It is written," and demonstrates His awareness of why Satan mis-quoted Scripture.
Matthew 4:9,10 " And saith unto him,All these things will I give thee,if thou wilt fall down and worship me."
10) " Then saith Jesus unto him,Get thee hence,Satan:for it is written,Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,and him only shalt thou serve."
Here Jesus reveals His divine authority by commanding Satan to move on!,as again Jesus counters with the authority of Scripture,"for it is written." Each time Satan tempted Jesus,He countered by standing on the authority of God's word,and thereby defeated the enemy at this encounter.
James 4:7 " Submit yourselves therefore to God.Resist the devil,and he will flee from you."
So then,the Christian authority for doctrine is God's word,alone.As shown above,the Scriptures can be mis-interpreted,and so,Scripture should interpret Scripture.By that I mean,the truth of Scripture is a constant throughout Scripture,a portion of Scripture should be understood within the whole.
Concerning doctrine,I hold to the foundational tenets of the Christian faith,as expressed in the 'Creed of Nicaea,'and believe these doctrines are clearly taught within Scripture,and so,are supported by the authority of God's word.
There are doctrines outside of the basic tenets,which are not so clear and require exposition.The difficulty is in interpretation,and some have been allowed to cause unnecessary division within the Church,with all sides holding their interpretation as authoritative.
Many shy away from these doctrines because of the apparent division and strife,and although I firmly believe we should contend for the faith (Jud'1:3),concerning salvation,we should not divide over doctrinal issue's outside of those necessary for salvation.
There are man-made doctrines which deny the doctrine of salvation,as I described (in part) in my previous post.These we must contend against.By 'contend' I mean by reasoning,and not by violence,as has been demonstrated in past Church history.
This is just a simple explanation of my views,and I know the question runs much deeper,and look forward to the replies of yourself and others.
God bless,brother : )
Sojourner.
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Hey beloved Sojourner,
Dude the above is beautiful. Great job man. I totally see how you webbed it into your previous post. I just think you have a lot to give so I pushed for more and Walla got a master piece from you. Praise God.
Blessings my friend,
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Extremely helpful sister Linda.
Blessings
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Permalink Reply by Charles Burwell on
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Dear David
I normally try to avoid discussions of a deep theological nature as I am not a ' deep theological person' but rather a simple person. However this discussion seems fairly safe.
In answer to question #1
I believe that many shy away from the word doctrine because they believe that this term denotes a sense of a die hard inflexible dogma that promotes a lack of tolerance of conflicting opinions . Such as in the crusades and the various inquisitions (sp?). While being established in the true biblical doctrimnes that the Holy Spirit alone can reveal is actually a liberating and life giving experience.
# 2
I think that I answered this in question1 response.
#3
There are many doctines that are man-made a lead to all the scisms and cults that plague true christianity. Having said that I believe that the Holy Spirit reveals the truths of God's word to men. I use the term men in the generic sense as I believe God reveals His truths to whomever opens their heart to them.
I guess that that would be my definition of doctrine. God's revealed truths to man.
God bless , my brother
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Amen beloved Charles,
I am not in the habit of padding people on the back, because as we know all Glory belongs to our King and Lord, but it is beautiful to see God working through you. It sure is :)
Thank you for sharing.
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Permalink Reply by FRANK J BLANC0 on
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Hi David,
To me it represents the Word of God, 2 Timothy 3-16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be throughly equipped for every good work.
God Bless to all, Frank
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Right on bro Frank,
Welcome to the forum, I hope to see you here often.
Blessings to your home.
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