Doctrine Don’t Do No Good!

That’s right.

The spiritually lost won’t be found with high theology or doctrine. 

Want proof?

I recently posted a Sunday school lesson written by Dr. Sam Wood. The lesson promoted a preterist interpretation of Revelation. It explained that the esoteric language of Revelation was written in response to the events of 1^st century Jerusalem by John of Patmos.

For example, the “mark of the beast” wasn’t intended as a mark on the body used to identify those condemned by Christ at the end of the world. According to Dr. Wood, it was an actual coin given to those that had worshiped the Roman imperial cult. This, of course, would have been a big no-no for Jews and Christians. (Click here to read the article.)

Of course, I expected pushback for posting an opinion that ran so contrary to Christianity’s mainstream. I expected folks would disagree and offer their own interpretations. But I never expected that these arguments would be made with such anger and vitriol. 

To be honest, I’d never been called a “heretic” so much in my life! 

And I didn’t even write the article! 

How Should We Respond to Criticism by Fellow Christians?

Reading the comments, I found myself getting angry. I wanted to lash out. I wanted to join in the name-calling forays. 

There was only one thing that kept me from using colorful language of my own: the idea that a non-Christian might actually read this thread looking for answers.

What would someone that didn’t know Jesus think of Him after reading our conversation?

Obviously, I couldn’t say for sure, but I thought it would go something like this:

“Look at this… I always knew Christians were ‘judgy’. They can’t even get along with each other. What do you think they would say about me?”

And honestly, who cared? 

Did anyone think that God was so persnickety as to quibble over the exact meaning of a few verses?

I didn’t.

It’s time that Christians focused on the “essential” doctrine of the Church and left the high theology to clergy.

What is the Essential Doctrine of the Church?

Christians should strive to live out the “mere Christianity” referred to by Richard Baxter and C.S. Lewis and outlined in the Apostle’s Creed: 

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

The Apostle’s Creed

We should get back to living a life inspired by Christ that embodies the basic morality espoused in the Gospels. Christians must become more introspective and attuned to our own personal shortcomings instead of focusing on the theological errors of others.

Conclusion

Theology and doctrine certainly have their place. Man’s quest to discern the desires of God through a deeper understanding of his Word is an admirable undertaking.

But it can quickly become an empty legalistic exercise resembling those of the Pharisees if taken too far. 

An intense focus on doctrine takes our efforts away from the real goal: to be the hands and feet of Christ in this world. 

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