What is the purpose or function of christian doctrine?

[dms1972]

What is the function of christian doctrines, is it just so we can identify like-minded christians who express the same formula? Are we saved by doctrine? What is the relationship between doctrine and christian reality and experience?

 

[HTacianas]

What is the function of christian doctrines, is it just so we can identify like-minded christians who express the same formula? Are we saved by doctrine? What is the relationship between doctrine and christian reality?

Christianity is a set of beliefs and practices. Doctrine is what teaches those beliefs and practices.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

What is the function of christian doctrines, is it just so we can identify like-minded christians who express the same formula? Are we saved by doctrine? What is the relationship between doctrine and christian reality?

Doctrine unveils truth. You will read of people who spread either true or false doctrine in scripture. It is represented by two groups, commandments of God or commandments of men. Scripture makes clear that a Christian will need to discern between the two. It is vital in a Christian's walk to go towards the narrow gate of truth rather than the wide road towards destruction. Doctrine is that pathway. Blessings.

 

[bling]

We are trying to help the nonbeliever become a believer in Jesus, not some doctrine. The doctrine is more for the Christian as support for his/her believe.

 

[tonychanyt]

What is the function of christian doctrines, is it just so we can identify like-minded christians who express the same formula?

I think that's just about it

Are we saved by doctrine?

I don't think so. We are saved by the person of Christ, not by a doctrine.

What is the relationship between doctrine and christian reality?

A doctrine is a convenient way to express a truth believed by a group of Christians.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

What is the function of christian doctrines, is it just so we can identify like-minded christians who express the same formula? Are we saved by doctrine? What is the relationship between doctrine and christian reality?

Christian doctrine is a standard of theology held by a particular grouping of Christian people.

Doctrine preserves what a grouping of Christian people understand to be essential to know and agree with.

The relationship between doctrine and Christian reality is referred to in Romans 10:9-17

 

[Clare73]

What is the function of christian doctrines, is it just so we can identify like-minded christians who express the same formula? Are we saved by doctrine? What is the relationship between doctrine and christian reality?

2 Tim 3:16-17.

 

[BobRyan]

What is the function of christian doctrines, is it just so we can identify like-minded christians who express the same formula? Are we saved by doctrine? What is the relationship between doctrine and christian reality?

John 8:32 "you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free"

Gen 3 - Satan tells lies - because following the lies leads to the downfall of humanity

Jesus is "the Way the TRUTH and the LIFE" John 14 -- His work opposes Satan's work

Following Satan's lies leads to rebellion, rebellion leads to death.

 

[hedrick]

In the Protestant tradition there have been several purposes

• to provide instruction for our own members
• to act as guard rails to judge and potentially exclude unacceptable beliefs and practices
• to provide a witness to others about what we believe

This needs to be understood in the context of Scripture. So doctrine is primarily our community’s understanding of the implications of Scripture, not something that develops separately.

 

[dms1972]

In terms of becoming a christian what part does doctrine play?

 

[tonychanyt]

In terms of becoming a christian what part does doctrine play?

I would say: nothing

 

[BobRyan]

In terms of becoming a christian what part does doctrine play?

Jesus said He is "The Way the TRUTH and the LIFE" - in John 14 - as we see here #8

Jesus said in John 8 "The TRUTH shall make you free"

John 17:17 "Sanctify them in Thy truth - They WORD is truth"

doctrine allows us to

1. understand the Gospel,
2. understand who God is, understand His character,
3. understand our risk as lost sinners if we do not accept the gospel
4. understand how to accept the Gospel.

It has everything to do with salvation.

 

[BobRyan]

In terms of becoming a christian what part does doctrine play?

doctrine is "teaching" - the Bible "teaches" us that
1. all mankind are lost sinners
2. All mankind needs salvation
3. Christ offers salvation to all who will accept

And a great many more "instructive" teachings to guide the lost and lead them to accepting salvation.

I would say: nothing

You have to skim past a lot of Bible details to get to that point

 

[ViaCrucis]

In terms of becoming a christian what part does doctrine play?

Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Our answer to that question matters, because what we say about Jesus matters. It matters because what we believe shapes not only how we see God, how we see Jesus, see Jesus' message and mission, but also how we understand our place in the world and our engagement with other people and with all of creation.

If I believe that this material world doesn't matter, then how I treat the world and those things living in it will be different than if I believe that this material world does matter.

If I believe that God loves everyone, and I am supposed to imitate God, then I will understand that I am supposed to love everyone as well. If, on the other hand, I believe that God only loves some people based on how "good" they are, then that's going to show up in how I treat other people as well.

All of this stuff matters. Because belief and action are intrinsically connected. What is in our mind, what is in our heart, and how we live are all interconnected.

This is ulatimately what St. James is getting at in his epistle, that faith without works is dead. James is not contradicting what Paul was saying about our justification before God. James, instead, is talking about how what we believe is supposed to be expressed in how we live our lives. With the tongue we bless God our Father and with that same tongue we curse our fellow man made in God's image, this should not be so. This is why James can say "even the devils believe, and they tremble". Or look at what St. John says in his epistle, that love is of God because God is love, and therefore we show that we know God by our own love; the one who does not love does not know God, etc--John isn't saying we will never fail and sin, because he also says, "If we say we have no sin then the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins". But if we believe in God, then the God of all love, with that love with which He loved us, should be a catalyst that pushes us toward love.

What we believe matters. It's all over Scripture. It's why St. Paul wrote to hold firm to the traditions/teachings which were passed on from him and the rest of the apostles. It's why St. Peter writes to give answer to the hope that is in us. St. Jude writes to earnestly contend for the faith and not give in to the destructive opinions of heretics. Over and over and over again, if anyone preaches another gospel it is anathema. There is one faith, one hope, one baptism, one Church, one Lord Jesus, one Holy Spirit, one God the Father. The one who preaches, such as St. Timothy, is to preach the word in and out of season and do the work of an evangelist.

Again, over and over. This all matters.

Not because we are "saved" by doctrine. But because what is taught, what is confessed, and what is believed matters--it matters because God matters, because Jesus matters, because Jesus' cross matters, because Jesus' teaching matters, because His resurrection matters, this Gospel matters, the Holy Spirit matters, this world matters, our neighbors matter, the Church matters. It all matters.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

What is the function of christian doctrines, is it just so we can identify like-minded christians who express the same formula? Are we saved by doctrine? What is the relationship between doctrine and christian reality and experience?

The function of true Christian doctrine is to point people to Jesus Christ. The Bible is all about Jesus Christ. If the Bible is read by natural-minded people, all they see is a collection of allegorical myths and legends and religious platitudes. But those who have placed their trust in Christ and HIs finished work on the Cross have been born again of the Spirit of God and therefore view the Bible spiritually. This is why the natural person cannot understand what the Bible is all about because it is spiritually discerned by those who have been made alive in their spirit through faith in Christ. Therefore, the spiritual person sees Christ all through the Old and New Testaments. The New Testament is hidden in the Old, and the Old is revealed in the New. The spiritual people in Christ are able to receive sound doctrine with points them to Christ and which builds them up in their most holy faith in Christ.

 

[OldAbramBrown]

Incomplete teachings confuse, and lead to deficient belief, which then gets passed on in that form. St Paul and Jesus exhorted us to continually supplicate, so that our fellows will through Holy Spirit enlightenment embrace and share ALL His teachings.

 

[Guojing]

In terms of becoming a christian what part does doctrine play?

Some Christian believe that its faith alone that saves.

Other Christians add into that faith various works like water baptism, tithing and so on and so forth, to stay saved.

That is the part that doctrine plays.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Some Christian believe that its faith alone that saves.

Other Christians add into that faith various works like water baptism, tithing and so on and so forth, to stay saved.

That is the part that doctrine plays.

The principal function of Christian doctrine is the redemption of mankind through Christ. It is all about Christ. Water baptism, tithing, and other doctrines not required for salvation are side issues. But the resurrection of Christ is the central issue on which our salvation depends and every other point of doctrine depends on it.

 

[Guojing]

The principal function of Christian doctrine is the redemption of mankind through Christ. It is all about Christ. Water baptism, tithing, and other doctrines not required for salvation are side issues. But the resurrection of Christ is the central issue on which our salvation depends and every other point of doctrine depends on it.

Some Christians used Mark 16:16, Luke 7:29-30 etc, to form the doctrine that water baptism is also required for salvation.

Once they form that doctrine, its hard to convince them otherwise.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Some Christians used Mark 16:16, Luke 7:29-30 etc, to form the doctrine that water baptism is also required for salvation.

Once they form that doctrine, its hard to convince them otherwise.

Let them believe that, and let the day of judgment sort them out.