Many professing Christians are perfectly willing to admit that they have little or no interest in doctrine. They enjoy speaking and hearing of the story of Christ and the grace of God that was shown in His sacrifice. They desire to learn how to deal with the problems of life and how to be a good moral person. But there is less interest in doctrine because, allegedly, doctrine divides us. So they want to ignore doctrinal differences and unite on the basis of our common faith in Christ. This is the old “unity in diversity” mentality.
When we speak of ignoring doctrinal differences, what exactly does that mean? This may be a little hard to define, but things like the work, worship, and organization of the church would be considered matters of doctrine. Teaching on marriage, divorce and remarriage would be doctrine. How the Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian would considered doctrine. It seems as though almost anything that has the potential of causing division among those who believe in Christ is labeled as doctrine.
Those who want to ignore or minimize the importance of doctrine seem to break up the teachings of the New Testament into about three categories – the story of Christ (gospel), instructions on Christian living, and doctrine (matters relating to the church, theology, etc.). They want to talk about the first two, but leave discussion about doctrine to others – preachers, pastors, councils, conferences, etc.
First of all, are Christians at liberty to simply ignore doctrine? Timothy was told to “give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13, KJV). This was not just for his benefit but was also important for the salvation of those who would hear him (1 Timothy 4:16). John wrote of the importance of abiding in the doctrine of Christ. The one who does not abide “in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9, KJV). Paul spoke of those who would “not endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3). Those who are uninterested in doctrine, will eventually “turn away their ears from the truth” (2 Timothy 4:4). We cannot ignore doctrine.
Second, are we defining doctrine the way it is defined in Scripture? The original Greek word that is translated doctrine in the New Testament means “that which is taught” or “teaching, instruction” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). The word simply means teaching. This is even clearer when looking at other translations of the New Testament. Most of the time when an older translation (like the King James Version) uses the word doctrine, a newer translation (like the New American Standard Version) will have the word teaching.
Our goal should be “the unity of the faith” (Ephesians 4:13). But how do we achieve this type of unity? Is it by ignoring doctrinal differences or by following the same doctrine? Paul exhorted the Corinthians to “all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Paul told the Ephesians that the result of the “unity of the faith” (Ephesians 4:13) would be that they would not be “tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). We cannot claim to have “unity of the faith” while holding to different doctrines.
There are many doctrines – doctrines of men (Matthew 15:9; Colossians 2:22), doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1), and strange doctrines (Hebrews 13:9). But we are to abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). This is the basis for our fellowship with God. As a result, it is also the basis for our fellowship with one another. Paul told the saints in Rome to “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned” (Romans 16:17, KJV). Timothy was instructed to “charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3, KJV). Would these instructions really be necessary if one doctrine was as good as another?
Is doctrine really that important? Absolutely! Paul told Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16, KJV). The Romans had been “made free from sin” because they had “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered” (Romans 6:17-18, KJV). Our fellowship with God is dependent upon our abiding “in the doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9, KJV). Our fellowship with one another depends upon our fellowship with God (1 John 1:5-7). To obtain the “unity of the faith,” we cannot have diversity in doctrine. We must strive for doctrinal unity.
