I've heard well-meaning preachers say, "doctrine isn't important." Or "it's too much for the person in the pew to understand." Now the emphasis is on 'new theology,' that downplays the value of scripture and makes emotional and experiential Christianity paramount.Perhaps, the passage in Jude 3, "Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints," is considered optional by some.
Interesting enough, as I'm writing this entry, Rob and I are watching the DVD, Luther. Luther said, "My conscience is captive to the Word of God, here I stand, I can do no other, God help me."
Then, I clicked on to Steve Camp's blog, CAMPONTHIS, and read his posting for Tuesday, January 6. It's entitled, "Doctrine Isn't A Four Letter Word . . ." Please click here to read the brief posting, but profound entry.
2 comments:
You are absolutely right. We need doctrine. It is man's way of organizing what he learns of God in creation and in Scripture. If one claims to only preach "the Bible" there can be so many ways of interpretting it. Cults use the same Bible as we do. Both sides of the Civil War used the Bible to support their side. Yes, we need doctrine, creeds and covenants to know what we believe about God based on His word.
If it weren't for the Nicene creed, Christianity would have died in its infancy due to false teachers. This was back in the 3rd century. I think churches need to relook and renew their respect for doctrine and the Godly men who wrote these doctrines. Theology is "theos" (GOD) and "ology" (the study of). Churches that shy away from theology open themselves up to the views of a pastor or church board which can be diluted and turn false over time.
Today's pastors trend to be more like seminar leaders than true theologians, which is sad. In the 1800's one expectation of a local pastor was that he memorize the entire Psalms! We just don't have pastors like that nowadays. (We do, but they are few and far between...due to the lack of theology in our churches)
Luther wrote the Bible into German using the Latin Vulgate. Wow. For us to "throw out" his doctrine is pretty sad. Newer churches shy away from theology classes and cathecism classes because they fear being too old fashioned. But we need more Godly knowledge and less "how to" books in our Christian book stores.
Well stated, my friend. Rob says, ditto to your comments.
Thank you!
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