Doctrine Is Dull

Written By Melvin Jones

“I don’t care about dry old doctrine. I just want to love the Lord and be Christian.” That’s what you usually hear when you bring up the topic of doctrine. It’s viewed as something that gets in the way of being a Christian.

Yet, while doctrine is certainly not an end in itself, without right doctrine it is impossible to be an effective Christian. For example, let’s look at the statement at the beginning of this piece.

What exactly makes up “loving the Lord”? Does it mean I pepper my speech with “praise God” and tell everyone that God is good all the time? Or does it mean I go to church five times a week, plus Sunday? Or does it mean something altogether different? Whatever the meaning is, that description is doctrine.

Jesus said, “Anyone who loves me, he will keep my word (John 15:23). So if I love Jesus, then I will keep His word. And His word involves more than some command to be in the church building every time it’s open. It also involves being willing to love those who have hurt you (Matthew 18:22), being willing to suffer for Christ - even to suffer unjustly (2 Peter 1:20-21), memorizing Scripture and allowing it to keep you within the will of God (Psalm 119:9-11). All of these are a part of love. And all of them are a matter of doctrine, or teachings about Christianity and what it should look like in the life of the believer.

Which lord? Some people have redefined Christianity to say that Jesus is the half-brother of Satan. Is that the Jesus you want to love? Some say Jesus suffered in hell for our sins because dying on the cross wasn’t enough. Is this the Jesus you want to love? Neither of these “Jesuses” is the Jesus of the Bible. But it’s doctrine that keeps you from following after a false Jesus.

And what does it mean to be a Christian? I was talking to a fellow the other day and he said “I Love the Lord. I’ve been a Christian all my life.” Do you see anything wrong with this statement? Unfortunately, a lot of people have no problem with it. But the fact is no one is a Christian all his or her life. You have to make a conscious decision to become one. Each person must be born again, individually and purposefully. As many as receive Jesus Christ – they have the right to be children of God (John 1:12). Those who reject Him (fail to receive Him) are condemned (John 3:18). This is doctrine. Without this, there is no differentiation between Christianity and just being a nice person.

Doctrine is part and parcel with Christianity. How can I obey if I don’t know what God expects of me? Doctrine makes the expectations clear.

How can I tell if I am growing if I don’t know what growth entails? Doctrine defines growth in the Christian.

How do I know if I am being conformed to the image of Christ, or even that I am supposed to be conformed to His image without doctrine?

Doctrine differentiates between us, the Mormons (whose prophet stated that Jesus is the half-brother of Satan), and the Jehovah’s Witnesses (who believe Jesus is actually the archangel Michael and after his promotion the son of God). It differentiates us from the Christian Scientist who believes there is no sin; just a misperception, which results, is sickness.

Doctrine, or teachings Christianity, is part and parcel with being a Christian. You can’t have one without the other. How’s your doctrine?