Doctrine

The word doctrine carries for many people the suggestion of something austere and perhaps even legalistic. Indoctrination is a synonym for brainwashing and implies that one is being taught what is unreasonable or not wholly true. It can refer to the the uncritical acceptance of a set of beliefs.

However, simply stated, doctrine means teaching or instruction. These current connotations of the word doctrine are unfortunate and not at all what we mean in speaking about Christian doctrine. The teachings of Jesus are the essential basis of all Christian doctrine. The authors of New Testament scripture are best understood as conveying, reflecting, and elaborating on the teachings laid down by Jesus. They may draw out the meaning in new contexts or with regard to new questions, but their teaching is firmly rooted in Jesus’. We can illustrate this using two fundamental teachings of Jesus.

Jesus taught the importance of belief because he had come from God (John 8:42, 16:28) to do his Father’s will (John 4:34, 6:38) and to give eternal life (John 5:24, 6:47). Believing that Jesus was who he claimed to be allowed one to share in what God was doing through him.

Another fundamental teaching of Jesus was that the Hebrew scriptures are summarized in loving God and loving one’s neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). Jesus embedded this truth within his own command to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34).

Now, notice how Paul continues to emphasize this core teaching of Jesus on faith and love:

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6

The apostle Peter adheres to this same instruction when he describes a path of growth which begins with faith (1 Peter 1:5) and culminates in love (1:8). The author of Hebrews encourages believers to continue in faith and love in the following way:

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:23-24

When James states that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26), we recognize from his example of helping those in need (James 2:15-17) that the actions he has in mind are works of love. He is teaching the necessity of faith expressing itself in love.

These inspired writers are continuing the emphasis of Jesus’ own teaching. In their own ways and to their own churches, they are staying true to what Jesus revealed. Christian doctrine on the life of a believer is that it is characterized by faith and love. In fact, all the doctrines, whether on the nature of God, ethics, prayer, spiritual gifts, or any other subject, are directing us toward faith expressing itself in love. This is the goal of all Christian doctrine.

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5