13 comments

Kimberly Wagner

Hmm . . . Doctrine???

Posted on 01.28.09 by Kimberly Wagner | Twitter: @KimberlyWagner7
Topics: Relationship with God

We will . . . Be women of the Word, seeking to grow in our knowledge of Scripture and to live in accord with sound doctrine in every area of our lives.
--Commitment # 3, the True Woman Manifesto

Have you noticed how some people cringe when they hear the word “doctrine?” Recently, while sitting in a waiting room, an older gentlemen struck up a conversation with me about the book I was reading. After informing me that he was the pastor of a small country church, he boasted “I don't preach doctrine—I just preach Jesus!”

Actually everyone in some way “teaches doctrine.” When I state an opinion or share my beliefs, I am “teaching doctrine.” We all have a worldview, whether biblical or unbiblical, and when this is voiced–we are “teaching doctrine.”

Paul placed a lot of emphasis on the quality of doctrine and repeatedly exhorted pastors to teach “sound doctrine.” Our English word “hygienic” comes from the Greek word that is translated “sound.” If we used this word to refer to a person's physical condition it would mean that they are healthy or “whole.” When Paul speaks of “sound doctrine” he means teaching that is free from any mixture of error. Whole. Pure and uncorrupted. Paul knew that sound doctrine protects and preserves the Christian's spiritual health. 

Why does this matter? If we fill our minds with teaching that is not faithful to Scripture, we're allowing error to corrupt our thinking. It may start out as only a slight, almost imperceptible deviation from God's word, but it can lead to disastrous results. Think of it like this: if an airline pilot is unaware that his navigational settings are off one degree, he may not notice at first that he's slightly off course, but believe me–when he ends up landing in Iraq rather than Iran–he will notice!

Sound doctrine matters because sound doctrine is the basis for sound behavior. Our actions proceed from our beliefs. As Christian women, it is vital that our actions reflect Christian beliefs.

Prayerfully read through Colossians 2:8 and 2 Peter 3:14-18.  Compare your thoughts, ideas, and opinions with Scripture. How well do they line up? Have you allowed faulty thinking to enter your mind? Are you flirting with new and exciting philosophies that may actually be lies camouflaged as truth?

Let us know why you think sound doctrine matters. What consequences have you experienced from unsound doctrine?

Comments

  1. Excellent article, Kimberly!
    posted by John Schwartz
    on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 12:48 pm
  2. I agree that sound doctrine matters. However, unfortunately, for many people (based on their experiences) doctrine means a biased interpretation of scriptures and that is why they object to the word.
    posted by Barbara Allen
    on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 1:19 pm
  3. Awesome Kim! Thanks girl. Sound doctrine accords with godliness (Titus 1). False teaching leads to drifting away from godly living.
    posted by Marjorie Impraim
    on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 2:01 pm
  4. Sound doctrine is definitely vital to any Christ follower's walk. Without it, we could easily be led astray by subtle, embellished deception and "fall from [y]our secure position" in Christ.

    Great article!
    posted by Molly
    on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 2:06 pm
  5. Thank you for this post. Sound doctrine is a gift to me that I never really heard until attending my current church. I love the truth and the beauty found on the pages of my Bible. I am very fortunate to be in a Bible teaching church sitting under the word, taught by God through my pastor and his wife. A lot of truths have been uncovered for my family that I wish I would have known with every decision in my life. God Bless everyone who allows God to use them in such a special way.
    posted by tamara
    on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 2:40 pm
  6. I, too, attend a church that is very much about teaching doctrine. I think one of the reasons our world has bought into secularism and humanism is because the pastors are not teaching doctine from the pulpits any more. People are doctrine-illiteriate. We would not have had so many Christians voting the way they did if they understood sound doctrine.
    posted by Debbie Adams
    on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 3:28 pm
  7. Kim,
    I am so thankful to be under the teaching of a great Pastor and his wife who not only teach sound doctrine, but live it as well. Thanks for the article - it is so RIGHT ON!!! I am praying for you!
    posted by Chris Afeld
    on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 4:07 pm
  8. Through wonderful teachers, I realixed many years ago that doctrine is a beautiful, precious thing because it takes me to the feet of Jesus. I commune with Him, love Him, love others through Him, serve Him.. All through, in and because of sound doctrine!

    After all, He is the Word! And He is the One Who designed Spirit-infused "doctrine" (the rightly understood and applied Word) to lead to Him and to Him only.

    Thank you for your commitment to the doctrine of Jesus, for His glory!
    posted by Wendy
    on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 6:26 pm
  9. I agree that sound doctrine must be preached. I believe that the true word of God convicts the heart and that is why many pastors are tip toeing around the truth. The truth is painful because it exposes us. We need correction constantly! I praise God for his wholesome straight and narrow truth!
    posted by Sherry
    on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 6:03 am
  10. I have the honor to teach women in our church about doctrine and it is such a blessing and in the pages of Scripture - good doctrine DOES change our lives! Good theology leads to good doxology! As John Piper said at TWO8 - Wimpy doctrine leads to wimpy women! I so agree! It saddens me to see so many wonder away to what feels good or satisfys and try to get Scripture to justify it. We need to keep standing for TRUTH! Thank you for the post!
    posted by Susan
    on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 10:20 am
  11. Thank you to each one who responded to this post. I am so encouraged by hearing such positive response to this issue. Let us all pray for pastors to have the boldness and discipline to clearly articulate sound doctrine.

    Tamara and Chris, thank you for your kind words. It is a joy to serve our Lord with you. It is easy to teach those who have such responsive hearts to truth.
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 4:34 pm
  12. I thank God for Pastors who teach and preach sound doctrine! I pray the Lord open the eyes of His people so that we can all be in one accord.

    Thank you for this article and your great ministry.
    posted by Aura Gregory
    on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 7:33 pm
  13. Sound doctrine is like the "footer"s of a house. If the "footers" are not deep enough or straight or made of the correct material, the house will eventually fall.

    Sound doctrine must be deep, straight and correct or our lives will fall.
    posted by Miyoshi Gardner
    on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 3:31 pm

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