Obsessed With Doctrine

[EverReforming]

Is there a point at which one can be obsessed with doctrine?

Oh yeah, hello everyone. This is my first post.

Initial Thoughts:

Romans 12:2, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices" -- Knowledge of doctrine can induce a life of worship.

However, John 17:3, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God" -- Can we make a distinction between knowing God vs. knowing of God's works?

And at the same time Paul writes, 2 Timothy 2:15, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

And warns the Colossians (2:8), "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

And praises those who diligently search, Acts 17:11 "Now these Jews were more noble ... examining the Scriptures daily"

What do you guys think. Is there a point that an individual can become obsessed with doctrine or the Bible? Is there ever a point that one can over-study the Word of God? Where do you draw your conclusion from?

 

[heymikey80]

Yes, I think we can become obsessed, though I don't think it's strictly speaking obsession with studying Scripture, but an obsession with something we want to get out of Scripture: either comfort or power or convenience or wealth or success of another sort. Normally it reduces us to "majoring on the minors", of trying to extract something we feel we truly need that Scripture doesn't say, or that Scripture says differently.

The Scribes and Pharisees didn't minor on Biblical Studies.

 

[desmalia]

Is there a point at which one can be obsessed with doctrine?

Oh yeah, hello everyone. This is my first post.

Initial Thoughts:

Romans 12:2, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices" -- Knowledge of doctrine can induce a life of worship.

However, John 17:3, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God" -- Can we make a distinction between knowing God vs. knowing of God's works?

And at the same time Paul writes, 2 Timothy 2:15, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

And warns the Colossians (2:8), "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

And praises those who diligently search, Acts 17:11 "Now these Jews were more noble ... examining the Scriptures daily"

What do you guys think. Is there a point that an individual can become obsessed with doctrine or the Bible? Is there ever a point that one can over-study the Word of God? Where do you draw your conclusion from?

Interesting question. I don't think we can ever "over-study" the word of God. But if we spend all our time behind closed doors studying and never living those doctrines in the world, that could be considered an unhealthy obsession. We are called to know the Scriptures. But we're called to live them too.

 

[McWilliams]

The most important thing is to have a close relationship with and to really know God through His word.

Knowing God is not just a matter of storing up knowledge but of meditating on His word and being obedient to His commands.

It is possible to be 'Ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of truth.' 2 Timothy 3:7

 

[calmcoolandelected]

I guess if you are going to be obsessed with something, Scripture is a good place to start!

CC&E

 

[heymikey80]

I guess if you are going to be obsessed with something, Scripture is a good place to start!

CC&E

Yeah, I often find people who don't know what Scripture says, making the criticism. That hold little value for me. But I did take it to heart when my elder came to me in my teens and rebuked me by gently stating, "Christ is the center, not what you know about Him."

That short statement lit a fire under me, and one that strangely didn't offend me; but it did humble me. It's definitely the case that I knew a whole lot, and yet could not apply it for Christ's Kingdom. It can even be the case for me today, I just feel I'm doing a whole lot more than I was, then.

 

[colinlindsay]

I KNOW you can get obsessed with doctrine. And it's very subtle. We justify it on the basis of "contending for the faith". Most of us on these boards are amateurs. Do we really think we are going to offer the definitive answer off our own bat to the theological dilemmas that have taxed the church and its finest minds?
We persevere though don't we? In my church we have 2 guys who complain that "the Word isn't being preached" By which they mean the pastor isn't preaching sufficiently systematically or polemically or deeply enough. They can do a better job and pray horizontal prayers to that effect.
I know a guy that went into depression and became unlivable with in his family because he wanted to know the TRUTH. (dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's)
He admitted that his deep disappointment at never experiencing the love of God had fed this driven desire.
There was a thread here about whether Calvinists should have spiritual experience? You've got to be joking!! What about I Peter 1:8? If you don't you WILL become dried -up, pharisaical, threatened by others and seek to find their errors. No wonder these boards are popular - you can be as polemic as you like and NEVER see the face of your Christian opponent.

 

[Elect]

No, I don't think of obsession of doctrine is a bad thing. I love doctrine. True Biblical doctrine is Christ. Doctrine is what defines us and defines what we believe. Everyone should know what they believe, where they can find it in Scripture and be able to define it. Doctrine is a good thing. If one lives by doctrine, then that would be obsession, would it not? Would not that be a good thing?

 

[colinlindsay]

No, I don't think of obsession of doctrine is a bad thing. I love doctrine. True Biblical doctrine is Christ. Doctrine is what defines us and defines what we believe. Everyone should know what they believe, where they can find it in Scripture and be able to define it. Doctrine is a good thing. If one lives by doctrine, then that would be obsession, would it not? Would not that be a good thing?

The trouble is that 'obsession' is by definition a BAD THING.
Maybe 'love for' is better.
If you obsess, by definition of the word, everything else is out of proportion.

I know people obsessed with doctrine who leave churches and start doing the round. They love sermons because it means they don't have to enter the life of the church - Jesus' Body
Maybe obsessed with Jesus is acceptable.

"If one lives by doctrine that would be obsession, would it not?"

No, of course not. It's rather living with integrity, and humility and a knowledge of seeing things through a glass darkly. And living by doctrine MEANS that love is more important than being a sounding gong, and that true doctrine is this - looking after the widows in their distress.

None of these things would strike an outsider as being an obsession.

It would be the sort of lifestyle that would attract everyone.