There are two words that have fallen on hard times in the church today — theology and doctrine. Why is this? What do these words mean? What should we think of them?
When you look at the mere definition of these words it is hard to understand why there is an aversion to them. Theology merely means the "study of God" and doctrine simply means "teaching." Is studying God bad? Should we avoid all forms of teaching? Of course not. Those who have aversions to these words would hopefully never encourage anyone to stop getting to know God better. So where does this aversion come from.
People love to argue about ideas, philosophies and, yes theology. The Bible warns us of endless human philosophies that take our minds captive (Col 2:8). We are told to be on guard against these and to avoid them. The Christians in Ephesus were warned against being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (Eph 4:14). Those in Corinth were told that if they had all knowledge (presumably good knowledge) but had not love, then they were nothing (I Cor 13:2). Seeing these biblical admonitions, it is easy to see why we need to be careful when entering into the realm of ideas and knowledge. Knowledge for knowledge's sake is dangerous and destructive. So it is easy to sympathize with those who have an aversion to theology and doctrine.
You may have heard someone even say something along the lines of "theology (or doctrine) can't save you." In a way this is very true. One may know the truth, and even believe the truth and still not be saved. We see this in the demons mentioned in James 2:19. They know the truth about God — but they despise the truth and they will one day see the reality of hell for all eternity. So in a very true sense — theology cannot save you. But in another very true sense it can.
In 1 Timothy 4:16 Paul tells Timothy, Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. The reason for this is that Christianity is a religion not, of works, but of faith. Faith involves knowing something, agreeing that it is true, and trusting in it. We are not saved by our own good works, but only by faith in Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. The demons know who Jesus is, but they do not trust in him. This is why Paul gives such a strict condemnation against false gospels in Galatians 1:6-10. If we believe a false gospel we cannot be saved — theology is important. This is why we are told over and over to guard sound teaching (doctrine) and to grow in knowledge (cf. Phil 1:9; Col 2:2; 1 Tim 4:6).
Some might argue that this only relates to "getting saved" and therefore discussion of theology is not important once you are a Christian. However, we see in Galatians that the Christian life isn't any different than "getting saved." Paul says, O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Gal 3:1-3). In other words, we grow in the Christian life the same way we became Christians — by faith. As we grow in our understanding of what God has done for and in us (and unite it to faith) — we will grow in godliness.
Behind this lies the reality of what we are told in Proverbs 23:7 — for as he thinks within himself, so he is. Our lives are a result of what we believe. If we believe that we are in bondage to sin we will live as if we are. As we grow in our understanding of what Christ has already done for us we will grow in godliness when it is united with faith (cf. 2 Pet 1:3; Rom 6). As we continue to walk by faith (knowledge, agreement, trust) we will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:5, 22-23). Therefore, the whole of the Christian life must be one of getting to know God better through his Word — this is theology.
But what does all of this mean? Where do we go from here? We must study and grow in knowledge, but we must do so with faith and love. The Bible makes it clear that it is possible to be arrogant, both in knowledge and in despising knowledge. 1 Corinthians 8:1 tells us that knowledge puffs up, but notice that it is a legalistic (false) knowledge that is being referred to. True knowledge leads to humility and love. Our growth in knowledge should never lead to arrogance — it should always be combined with love and humility.
The Bible does not allow the neglect of truth (that is theology and doctrine) to avoid arrogance. Rather 1 Timothy 6:3 tells us If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions (cf. 2 Tim 4:3). To teach contrary to the Bible or to oppose the further teaching of the truth of the Bible is the height of arrogance — this is why we must be careful to know and handle it well (2 Tim 2:15). We must avoid empty quarrels and false doctrines.
Pastors and elders are especially exhorted to hold firm to sound doctrine that they might instruct others (Titus 1:9), but this does apply to all Christians as well. Whenever we teach (whether that is at home, in conversation, in Sunday School) it must be in accord with sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).
Furthermore, we must adorn sound doctrine with godly lives (Titus 2:9-10). We need to live lives of godliness that is in accord with sound doctrine (1 Tim 1:8-10). Notice which comes first — the doctrine is to be followed by godliness. This brings us back to what Paul said in Galatians 3:1-3. We grow in godliness by faith. We must know God in order to grow in authentic godliness. What we believe precedes what we do (cf. Prov 23:7).
While the concerns with those who chase after endless philosophies are good concerns, they can lead to bad and dangerous results if we think that the answer is to avoid theology and doctrine. Remember it is human philosophies that the Scripture deem bad. Debate can be very healthy when the purpose is to build brothers and sisters up in Christ and when it is done with gentleness, in love. The leaders of the church got together in Acts 15 to debate circumcision. Paul tells us in Galatians 2:14 that he confronted Peter because his actions were not in accord with sound theology (the Gospel). We are told to correct each other with gentleness and truth (Gal 6:1; Eph 4:5; 2 Tim 3:16-17, etc). The pattern set before us is not to avoid theology and doctrine, but to vigorously pursue it to God's glory.
At Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church it is our hope to do this wisely and with humility. It is our desire to follow the very admonition that Paul gave to Timothy and the young church in Ephesus, …devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching (1 Tim 4:13).
To God be the Glory.
Brett McNeill
Read the article, Born Amid Hardship from New Horizons (July 2005) about Reformation OPC; and the follow up article in the December 2005 New Horizons.
Read the July 2007 article from New Horizon's magazine on Reformation OPC!
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