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Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind... Romans 12:2

The Dirty "D" Word

by Rob Liedl

In our day, the subject of doctrine is considered—at least in many Christian circles—to be a cause of disruption and division. It is the "dirty 'D' word" that only the insensitive and immature dare to utter. In a word, doctrine is today unfashionable. But why is this? Why are we so afraid of this thing called "doctrine?"

"Because doctrine divides!"

"Because doctrine is destructive!"

"Because doctrine threatens the unity of the Church!"

"You can pray, worship, and have fellowship. You can give personal testimony. You can have subjective, devotional sharing, but for crying out loud, don't discuss or debate doctrine! The unity of the Church is at stake!"

Are these assertions valid? Let's give this some further thought. Clearly, unity within the church of Christ is important to God, and we as members of the church are required by God to preserve that unity. Nowhere in Scripture, however, are we commanded to maintain unity by disposing of doctrine.

Let's begin with the basic question, "What is doctrine?" Doctrine, very simply, is a set of principles or body of instruction. Biblical doctrine, then, is the body of truths and principles expressed in God's word, the Bible. In 1 Timothy 1:10, sound doctrine is defined as that which "...conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God." That glorious gospel, of course, finds its definition in all the pages of Scripture.

If the discussion of doctrine is discouraged in the Church, can we really expect to attain any kind of unity, strength or maturity? The answer seems—at least to me—obvious. We have only to look around us to see the results of a doctrinally destitute Church: we have become weak and irrelevant, scorned and mocked, while the society around us rots for lack of the preserving salt of Biblical Christianity. Where is the Church that can clearly communicate the reality of the sovereign God, the reality of man's condition, and the truth of what God requires of man in every area of life? Where is the discussion of doctrine? Paul, in his letters to Timothy and Titus, stresses the importance of sound Biblical doctrine. Paul exhorts Timothy to watch his life and doctrine closely (1 Timothy 4:16). He also warns him that "...the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear" (2 Timothy 4:3). This warning is recorded in Scripture as a caution to all generations but it is particularly applicable to ours. To counter the tendency towards unsound doctrine, Paul elsewhere advises that a vital qualification of a Church elder is the ability to "encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it" (Titus 1:9). Contrary to popular opinion, then, it is only as we relentlessly affirm sound doctrine that we will advance unity and integrity in the Church.

The early Church fathers also recognized the need for vigorous doctrinal discussion and debate to protect the Church from the encroachment of various heretical beliefs. Out of this debate arose the great creeds, and later the great Reformational confessions, which we continue to benefit from today.

Few of us would deny that, within the Church, men have once again gathered teachers to tell them only that which they want to hear. Hollow and deceptive philosophies run rampant—wreaking havoc in the Church. Modern Christianity has created a doctrinal vacuum that is sucking in all kinds of humanistic, ungodly ideas. To clean up this mess, sound Biblical doctrine must once again be clearly defined from our pulpits. Doctrinal debate must once again be encouraged throughout the Church in order that false doctrines can be exposed for the lies that they are.

Does doctrine divide? Doctrine that is a clear reflection of the word of God will be as a two edged sword—penetrating, dividing, and judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Yes, doctrine divides! It divides between truth and lies—between effective Christian service and irrelevant religious ritual—between the holy and the profane.

Is doctrine destructive? Doctrine that conforms to Scriptural truth is powerful for the destruction of strongholds. It will "...demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God..."(Cor.10:4,5). Yes, doctrine is destructive. It destroys the works of the evil one. Without doctrine, we are in a war without weapons.

Does doctrine cause disunity? Yes, doctrine does cause disunity: disunity between those who love God's truth, and those who want their ears tickled by a self-gratifying gospel—between those who hold to the truth and those who oppose it.

Doctrine is good for the body of Christ. The Church will only be as strong as it's doctrine is sound. The extent to which our practise and proclamation conform to God's authoritative and inerrant Word will be the extent of our effectiveness as God's people.

To suppress sound doctrine is absurd. Doctrine is not a dirty word.

Return to Volume 1, Number 1.