Does Doctrine Matter

Does doctrine matter? Before we try to answer that question we need to define what doctrine means.

doctrine | ˈdäktrən |
noun
a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group

In Acts 2:42 we learn the early church devoted themselves to the apostles' doctrine. Meaning they devoted themselves to their teachings.

So, back to our original question, does doctrine matter? I am sure there are a wide range of opinions on this. Many grew up in churches where preachers preached and taught exclusively on doctrine. They used words so big few knew the meanings. They exegeted lofty truths hard to comprehend. They did not bring those lofty truths down for the common people to be able to grasp.

Things are different today. Preachers often preach to felt needs. They craft messages based on what they perceive people need. If they struggle with anxiety, a series will be offered to help a person deal with anxiety. If a person struggles with financial woes, a different sermon series will be offered to help that person learn how to manage money. You get the drift. These series are topical in nature and always very practical and helpful.

Still, the question remains. Does doctrine really matter? We live in an age where doctrinal distinctives are not clearly defined. Congregations are made up of  hodgepodge of theological beliefs and convictions.

At the risk of losing you before I try to answer my first question, I pose a second. Really a second and a third question. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE? Theologically speaking. That is just a fancy way of saying what do you believe about God. My third question is WHY DO YOU BELIEVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE?

What do you believe about God when He came into existence? What do you believe about His role in creation? What do you believe about His powers and limitations? What do you believe about His knowledge? Why did God sacrifice His Son? What role does God play in contemporary culture? Does God have anything to say about the end times?

What do you believe about the Bible? How essential is it for daily life? Does the Bible have any place in secular society?

What do you believe about salvation? What does it take for a person to be reconciled with God? How did Jesus get to Earth? Why did He die on a cross? What happened to His body?Where is He now? What is He doing? What are His future plans? How was He conceived? Where was He born? Why did He come in the first place? What kind of life did He lead? What did He teach?

What do you know about the Holy Spirit? What role does He play in our world today? Is He necessary for Christians? How can the Holy Spirit practically help the Christian church?

I suspect more than one of you could not answer all those questions. Maybe a great deal of you. That series of questions made some of you come to the conclusion that you do not know what you believe on a wide variety of subjects. Others believe what you believe because somebody told you to do so. Your convictions may be compromised and your doctrine is on shaky foundation.

Issues like transgenderism, same sex marriage, abortion, governmental rights and limitations, salvation and religious liberty are addressed in the Bible. DOCTRINE MATTERS! Doctrine produces conviction. Convictions backed up by courage are what the church has stood on for centuries.

Only today, doctrine is nearly extinct. We live in an age of anything goes in church. People are encouraged to believe what is true for them. Truth is truth. Truth is truth whether I believe it or not. God's standards have not nor will they ever change. We need to discover what He thinks about the social issues of the day and side with Him rather than the politically correct prevailing winds of the day.

Doctrine matters and more preachers should preach it. Sure, they should preach doctrine empowered by the Holy Spirit with power and life. It should not be an endless series of boring lectures. People should be taught the meat of the word. To have the Bible expounded. To learn powerful doctrinal truths to help them stand in these troubling and turbulent times. Yes, doctrine matters. Learn for yourself. Study the Bible for yourself and form your own convictions.