Which is most important -- doctrine or scripture?

[Hestha]

Most of us probably can't read the archaic languages of the scriptures, so we rely on biblical translations. Taking that into account, which is most important to you -- doctrine or scripture? How do you know which doctrine is correct or is closest to what the scripture says? Do you generally agree with the church's teachings, or do you keep your dissenting beliefs to yourself? How would you teach your children? Would you teach them something traditional and orthodox or untraditional and unorthodox? Have you ever worked with or studied with a person who uses a different bible translation than you do or go to a different church than you do? How do you work out your differences?

 

[jannikitty]

Many church doctrines are based on biblical teachings. And before the bible was even written there were word of mouth sayings and teachings thus what are called oral traditions. Tradition come from a Latin word which means to pass on or pass down. And it does not necessarily mean the traditions of men but can also mean the traditions of God. Doctrines are usually ways to live out biblical principals and messages which have been passed down from generation to generation.

I have worked with many people from various churches and backgrounds. I find focusing on what we have in common (and there is much there) and the love of Christ as lived out (as best we can) brings unity of purpose and strength of ministry. I have found that there is so much more to our mutual commonality than there is to what divides us. cf Psalm 133.

Jesus has told us that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Unity comes from focusing on Him.

 

[RDKirk]

Most of us probably can't read the archaic languages of the scriptures, so we rely on biblical translations. Taking that into account, which is most important to you -- doctrine or scripture? How do you know which doctrine is correct or is closest to what the scripture says? Do you generally agree with the church's teachings, or do you keep your dissenting beliefs to yourself? How would you teach your children? Would you teach them something traditional and orthodox or untraditional and unorthodox? Have you ever worked with or studied with a person who uses a different bible translation than you do or go to a different church than you do? How do you work out your differences?

It's not "either/or."

Most things taught (which is what "doctrine" means) should be directly traceable to a scriptural command or model. Some things we do as other doctrines were developed to fill in blanks that necessarily had to be filled in.

Some things were just made up for good reasons then that are not good reasons now, or for just bad reasons kept afloat by blindly following tradition.

I dabble with Greek and Hebrew concordances a bit, and I find it helpful to do so. But I studiedLatin in school, so I have a grasp of the fact that language translation from an ancient culture to a modern translation is fraught with difficulty. I'm not going to pretend that I'll ever reach an understanding of the process of translating multiple manuscript texts (not just translating one text, but integrating multiple texts with subtle differences into a single translation) as well as people who have spent their whole lives doing in that task.

It has seemed to me that no "church" has everything perfectly correct, yet each denomination tends to get most things correct.

In a lot of cases, there are what Paul called "debatable things" over which the Church should not be divided.

If someone can lead me down the logical path by which a certain belief or practice ends either in unbelief or a failure to perform the missions of evangelism or mutual care, then I'll get concerned about it. Otherwise, such differences are inconsequential.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Doctrine is 'set in stone', often taking the form of inflexible dogma, while scripture can always reveal something new and spiritually useful. All versions of the bible are both translations and interpretations. While the Greek is quite specific in most word meanings the Hebrew allows a smorgasbord of meanings to choose from, as determined by the context.

 

[ViaCrucis]

This seems a bit of a false dichotomy. Good doctrine should have its basis in good biblical exegesis.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[OldWiseGuy]

This seems a bit of a false dichotomy. Good doctrine should have its basis in good biblical exegesis.

-CryptoLutheran

Recall that there's one church that doesn't want folks rummaging around in the scriptures by themselves.

 

[lupusFati]

Seems I made a mistake, just ignore this. I dunno how to delete it though.

 

[sinning machine]

All doctrine's of men are contradictory to scripture !

The most important verse has to be Leviticus 17:11

For the soul of the flesh is in the blood:

and I have given it to you upon the alter

to make an atonement for your souls:

for it is the blood that maketh an

atonement for the soul.

 

[food4thought]

Most of us probably can't read the archaic languages of the scriptures, so we rely on biblical translations. 1) Taking that into account, which is most important to you -- doctrine or scripture? 2) How do you know which doctrine is correct or is closest to what the scripture says? 3) Do you generally agree with the church's teachings, or do you keep your dissenting beliefs to yourself? 4) How would you teach your children? 5) Would you teach them something traditional and orthodox or untraditional and unorthodox? 6) Have you ever worked with or studied with a person who uses a different bible translation than you do or go to a different church than you do? 7) How do you work out your differences?

1) Good doctrine comes from good interpretation of Scripture, so if someone can show me from the Bible that my doctrine is wrong, my doctrine get's discarded.

2) Through careful study of the Bible; using prayer, Greek and Hebrew dictionaries, commentaries, etc.

3) There are things that I disagree on with some denominations, but I tend to try to keep these things to myself unless they become important for some reason... I agree with the major historical creeds of the Christian faith.

4) When I teach children, I want to stick to the basics... get them grounded in the major doctrines of who God is, morality, and salvation. As they get more mature, we can expand from there.

5) Orthodox. The major doctrines of Christianity.

6) All the time. Different translations are generally not an issue, and different churches are generally grounded in the same basic major doctrines, although there are variations on those themes that can be problematic.

7) Most differences are not worth arguing over, and we can agree to disagree agreeably . Some things, like the Deity of Christ, His sinless life, substitutionary death, resurrection, His return to us, inspiration and authority of the Bible, and the primacy of truth and love in the Christian life are things I will defend until I'm blue in the face

 

[trulyconverted]

Most of us probably can't read the archaic languages of the scriptures, so we rely on biblical translations. Taking that into account, which is most important to you -- doctrine or scripture? How do you know which doctrine is correct or is closest to what the scripture says? Do you generally agree with the church's teachings, or do you keep your dissenting beliefs to yourself? How would you teach your children? Would you teach them something traditional and orthodox or untraditional and unorthodox? Have you ever worked with or studied with a person who uses a different bible translation than you do or go to a different church than you do? How do you work out your differences?

This may not be part of your question. I think the Holy Spirit is the essential one and the One that really matters. Then everything flows from there.

 

[parsley]

Scripture is the plumb line, and doctrine helps keep the ladder steady.

I ignore most doctrine, but if challenged would find that I have adopted loads of it without realizing.

The doctrines can ultimately add confusion, and conflict.
It is critical to focus on God's Word -- His words. What God has done, and how He has intervened in people's lives through history.

 

[ebia]

Most of us probably can't read the archaic languages of the scriptures, so we rely on biblical translations. Taking that into account, which is most important to you -- doctrine or scripture? How do you know which doctrine is correct or is closest to what the scripture says? Do you generally agree with the church's teachings, or do you keep your dissenting beliefs to yourself? How would you teach your children? Would you teach them something traditional and orthodox or untraditional and unorthodox? Have you ever worked with or studied with a person who uses a different bible translation than you do or go to a different church than you do? How do you work out your differences?

Scripture

 

[Mikeb85]

Most of us probably can't read the archaic languages of the scriptures, so we rely on biblical translations. Taking that into account, which is most important to you -- doctrine or scripture? How do you know which doctrine is correct or is closest to what the scripture says? Do you generally agree with the church's teachings, or do you keep your dissenting beliefs to yourself? How would you teach your children? Would you teach them something traditional and orthodox or untraditional and unorthodox? Have you ever worked with or studied with a person who uses a different bible translation than you do or go to a different church than you do? How do you work out your differences?

Generally I trust the traditions which has been handed down to the Church from the Apostles through successive generations. The Church decided what books constitute scripture, and is the institution created by Christ through the Apostles, has produced Saints in every generation - if you believe what Christ did and said, you have to believe His Church still exists. If all that's left of Christ is a book, then Christianity is a dead religion...