For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Matthew Brodeur
Doctrine
(Gk. didaskalia [didaskaliva]). Act of teaching or that which is taught. The use of the term in Scripture, however, is broader than a simple reference to information passed on from one person to another or from one generation to the next. Christianity is a religion founded on a message of good news rooted in the significance of the life of Jesus Christ. In Scripture, then, doctrine refers to the entire body of essential theological truths that define and describe that message (1 Tim 1:10; 4:16; 6:3; Titus 1:9). The message includes historical facts, such as those regarding the events of the life of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 11:23). But it is deeper than biographical facts alone. As J. Gresham Machen pointed out years ago, Jesus' death is an integral historical fact but it is not doctrine. Jesus' death for sins (1 Cor 15:3) is doctrine. Doctrine, then, is scriptural teaching on theological truths.
Doctrine is indispensable to Christianity. Christianity does not exist without it. The New Testament repeatedly emphasizes the value and importance of sound doctrine, sound instruction (1 Tim 6:3), and a pattern of sound teaching (2 Tim 1:13-14). The apostles defended the faithful proclamation of the gospel (Gal 1:8). They formulated Christian faith in doctrinal terms, then called for its preservation. They were adamant about the protection, appropriation, and propagation of doctrine because it contained the truth about Jesus Christ. Knowing the truth was and is the only way that a person can come to faith. So the apostles delivered a body of theological truth to the church (1 Cor 15:3). They encouraged believers to be faithful to that body of information they had heard and received in the beginning (1 John 2:7 1 John 2:24 1 John 2:26; 3:11), that "faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints'' (Jude 3). Believers, in general, were instructed to guard the faith, that is, to stand firm in sound doctrine (2 Tim 1:13-14). Pastors in particular were admonished to cleave to sound doctrine so that they could be good ministers of the gospel (1 Tim 4:6).
The use of the term "doctrine" in Scripture is important for at least three reasons. First, it affirms that the primitive church was confessional. The first generation of believers confessed apostolic teaching about the significance of the life of Christ. They delivered a body of information that included facts about Christ with interpretation of their importance. Second, the use of the term reflects development of thought in the primitive church. Didaskalia [didaskaliva] is used in the Pastorals with reference to the sum of teaching, especially of that which had come from the lips of the apostles. Doctrine plays a small role in Judaism and in the New Testament apart from the Pastoral Epistles, and yet is very important in the latter. By the time of the Pastorals the apostolic message had been transformed into traditional teaching. Third, it affirms the indispensable link between spirituality and doctrine. Christianity is a way of life founded on doctrine. Some disparage doctrine in favor of the spiritual life. Paul, however, taught that spiritual growth in Christ is dependent on faithfulness to sound doctrine, for its truth provides the means of growth (Col 2:6). The apostle John developed three tests for discerning authentic spirituality: believing right doctrine (1 Jo 2:18-27), obedience to right doctrine (2:28-3:10), and giving expression to right doctrine with love (2:7-11). Faithful obedience and love, then, are not alternatives to sound doctrine. They are the fruit of right doctrine as it works itself out in the believer's character and relationships.
Sam Hamstra, Jr.
Bibliography. J. G. Machen, Christianity and Liberalism; D. F. Wells, No Place For Truth: Or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology; TDNT, 2:160-63.
DEAN R. DONAHUE
I moved from Southern California, home of Calvary's Chuck Smith, Crystal Cathedral's Robert Schuller, and home of the Harvest Crusades and the stomping grounds of Skip Heitzig. I have studied Seventh-day Adventism, Southern Baptist theology, and the Non-denominational doctrines.
I moved to Show Low, Arizona, having left the polished pulpits of the mega church madness of Orange County, California, where I truly became a searcher of the truth and sound doctrine. Without the hype and grand presentations of back home, familiar doctrine began to sound, unsound.
We have a high contingent of Mormon folk here. They comprise nearly 50% of the religious population, 20% are Catholics, and the other 30% is split between the remaining protestant churches. Each of these churches claim to be based upon sound doctrine. Each of these doctrines differ so much that I began to question my own belief of what is true and scriptural.
Having attended almost all the protestant churches over the last 12 years, I can say without hesitation, we need a church preaching sound doctrine. More precisely, I need a church teaching sound doctrine. I am tired of arguing doctrine when we should be worshipping and seeking His Truth.
So as Pilate asked, What is truth?
I decided, since I had been asked not to return by three churches, to study until I could rest my belief on true doctrine. I have been told I must have faith in the church and it's beliefs and not to question the doctrine. Here are some of the doctrine I have questioned: 1. Once saved, always saved, 2.Pre-trib rapture vs. Post-tribulation second coming. 3. Three days and three nights in the tomb, 4. Sabbath is for Jews not for Gentiles, and my favorite, 5. joseph Smith will judge me sitting to the right hand of God.
I am not trying to offend any faith, but how did we get in this mess? How can one document be interpreted in so many different ways? Have we fallen into Satan's trap so easily even while the Books of the Bible use the same language we converse with each day?
Even with the belief that common ground can be found through focusing on Jesus, the discussion will always revert back to the controversial doctrines. I just finished a book about Martin Luther. He is in my opinion the champion of correcting doctrine and a pillar of many reforms, yet not all his thesis mandating change are held as sound doctrine.
How can someone with an average understanding and intellect challenge the traditional doctrines we grow up with? Even a better question, what do we do with doctrine we find false, even harmful?
I suppose that interpretation of the meaning of scripture is where one might start to solve this division. Taking one verse and creating a doctrine out of it without harmony from the other scriptures is dangerous. Context, intent, and reason need to be paramount. Study of the whole Bible is the only way to find context and character of God's intent.
When we first believed and read Genesis Chapter1, we knew that God created the heavens and the earth, but not until John Chapter 1, do we find that it was Jesus who spoke and through Him all things created. New Testament, Old Testament, 66 books, letters and prophecies bound together to show direction and truth. Add to this prayer and a fervent desire for direction from the Holy Spirit, then create and debate the doctrine of truth that He has ordained.
We are saved by Grace, through Faith, but we are still accountable for what we do in regards to the judgement He brings. I believe searching for sound doctrine and then putting the precepts into practice a basic requirement for one to become obedient to Christ. Read, Reprove, and then stand ground for what God has shown you.
God is about love, and reading scriptures through the eyes of love cast a clarity only the love of God can produce. I pray I have found Sound Doctrine. I pray that Truth and the Character of God reflect upon all that we believe.
Donna Murray
Genesis 1:5 God called the light "day" and the darkness he called "night" and there was evening and morning the first day.
I think that the word of God proves it was literal 24 hr days.
That answers New earth Old earth doctrine
premillennialism vs. amillennialism
Revelation 20King James Version (KJV)
20 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
I think that's pretty clear that it actually is a thousand year millennium."
Danny Hickman
Donna Murray,
I believe the "evening and morning was the first day" reference isn't there to prove anything about a "24 hr day." The Sun wasn't in the picture until the 4th day. I think the "evening and morning" is due to the crucifixion account..
I don't believe the creation story can be reasonably understood and proven. I don't waste time trying to prove something to people who wouldn't go along with it if you had video of it. I believe it by faith. I KNOW we were put here by God. I just don't understand how He did it.
Back to the "evening and morning."
We reckon the day to begin at midnight. Why do we call it midnight, when it's the beginning of the day? Because the day begins at 6 am. The "evening" of the day is at 6 pm. Night begins at 6 pm and ends at 6 am. 12:00 is the middle of night.
This all begins "early in the morning." (Mt 27:1) Day 1 of the Crucifixion. Jesus sentenced.
At noon (6th hr) darkness fell until the 9th hr (3:00). Jesus dies (Mt 27: 45-50).
As "evening" approached (3 hrs later), Joseph of Arimathea claims His body (vs 57). (Just before Sabbath began).
The creation story doesn't classify a 24 hr day as the meaning of "a day," and it's the same here. He's dead on what we know as Friday. This is the first day.
The "next day" (2nd day) on Sabbath the leading priests asks Pilate to seal the tomb. He does it (Mt 27: 62-66). Sabbath began at 6pm Friday. This is the 2nd day.
That "evening and Sunday morning" = 3rd day.
Then He got up!!