Why is doctrine important?

In an earlier post we have talked about how we live in the most doctrinally illiterate generation since the Reformation. There is, I think, a recognition that even this sort of sentence means little to people, or perhaps that people are not sure why that matters. This is reflected in, or at least is a reflection of, what goes on in pulpits and platforms up and down the land. It seems that there are few places where there is much passion for preaching doctrine, indeed the very word is treated like it is something scary when it doesn't have to be or something that doesn't matter when it most certainly does. If you are a preacher let me ask you, when was the last time that you sat with your Bible open and your systematic volume alongside it? And again, when was the last time you looked at a passage and asked what opportunity it gave you to teach your people, those who have been given to you to love, care for and instruct (the last of theses as hugely significant in the first two!), deep, foundational truth- doctrine? There is a need for the pastor to be pastor-theologian otherwise the church that they serve is going to get shallow pretty quick and a ship in shallow water runs the real risk of running aground.

Francis Schaeffer said that, 'Men in our own sociologically and psychologically oriented age have all kinds of explanations for the moral problems of man. But according to the Bible, it is not moral declension that causes doctrinal declension; it is just the opposite. Turning away from the truth -- that which is cognitive, that which may be known about God -- produces moral declension. ' It is no surprise that the church becomes increasingly lukewarm then as the level of doctrine decreases. It is the deep truth about God (doctrine) preached from His word that will fire up a generation to serve Him because they will marvel at what God has done for them. We believe that if we look after the depth then God will look after the breadth, we believe God honours faithfulness with fruitfulness, we long to live for Jesus by living like Jesus- all these things as aided by indeed founded upon, understanding the depths of the riches of Christ.

Many are scared off doctrime by bad experiences in Theological colleges as some dry, empty academic exercise rather than the heart firing, spiritually deepening, life transforming matter that such study is meant to be. We have lost Biblical doctrine from our homes, where learning truth would be a father and husband led family activity. We have lost Biblical doctrine from our churches because pastors are intimidated by or too busy to attend to such study. We have lost Biblical doctrine from our theological colleges, replaced instead by that which can only be known in human wisdom and experience. John Piper says that 'If we take our doctrines into our hearts where they belong, they can cause upheavals of emotion and sleepless nights. This is far better than toying with academic ideas that never touch life.'

We'll continue to explore the importance of doctrine to the local church and to the life of the Christian over the next few Mondays. In the meantime, if you are a pastor rediscover your passion for the deep truths of God and lay the foundations in your own ministry and in the church that you serve.. If you are not a pastor, ask your pastor what book he would recommend on doctrine or systematic theology.