Is There a Doctrine in the House?

Is There a Doctrine in the House?

Thesis: contemporary American Christianity has by-and-large let go of doctrines. Some churches have no doctrines. Some have doctrines but they serve as little more than historical relics or heirlooms that rarely get any attention. Many churches have decided, officially or unofficially, to make doctrines optional. Some even ridicule doctrines.

How often have I heard “Doctrines divide; Jesus unites?” Often. My response is: “No, doctrines unite; Jesus divides.”

I decided to teach Christian theology when I discovered the beauty and joy of doctrines. For me, a Christian theologian of over forty years, theology is the study of Christian doctrines, beliefs, teachings. I have taught about doctrines to thousands of students, both undergraduates and graduates. I have heard every conceivable objection to doctrines.

To be sure, and it hurts to say this, some churches and individuals have abused doctrines, mainly by elevating what should be mere ideas and opinions, to the status of authoritative dogmas.

I grew up in a form of Christianity that did that, abused doctrines, by making certain minor interpretations of the Bible into dogmas or doctrines that divided it from other churches where there should have been fellowship and cooperation. I was expelled from the denomination of my childhood and youth because I questions two such opinions-become-doctrines: speaking in tongues as the necessary “physical evidence” of the infilling of the Holy Spirit and the pre-tribulation “rapture” of the church.

After that, however, I became part of many churches (as I moved around the country) that had no doctrines. Or at least they said they had no doctrines. I always discerned some commonly held beliefs that should have been written down so at least everyone would know. At one such church the pastor and I wrote a very basic statement of beliefs for the church, but it was rejected by the congregation who said all they need is the Bible.

Given all the conflicting interpretations of the Bible, I don’t believe that works. And I have observed that doctrine-less churches become shallow.

I cringe when I see extremely long, detailed, harsh creeds and confessional statements that elevate opinions to the status of dogmas and/or doctrines. A common example is some dispensational churches whose article about eschatology (the end times) is the longest article!

If you are part of a church that has doctrines, such as a confessional statement, advocate for its revival if it is dormant. Ask the pastor or an elder or deacon to teach a Sunday School class for youth and/or adults about it. If you are part of a church that has no official doctrinal statement (many Baptists do not), advocate that one be written and accepted by the congregation. It doesn’t have to be a hammer to beat people up with. But it can help protect the church from shallow Christianity.

Now, finally, what do I mean by “Jesus divides; doctrine unites.” Well, Jesus said in Luke he did not come to bring peace but a sword. He didn’t mean a physical sword but the truth that would inevitably divide his followers from those who rejected him and his message. Doctrine can be a glue that holds a group of Christians together, keeps them from being a collection of individuals with no common bond.

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