The importance of Sound Doctrine
A doctrine is defined as “a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group”. Why do we care? Because having sound doctrine is an important element of our faith. Again, why? Because the Bible says so.
1 Timothy 6:3-5 says this:
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound[a] words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
So doctrine is important, both in what is taught, and by implication in what is received by those being taught.
Once again, why? For a very simple reason. One of the biggest problems in the early church related to individuals who would teach falsely, or twist teaching into something that was wrong. You can see from the passage above that Paul is teaching what happens when people teach other than sound doctrine. Some examples:
“for many deceivers have gone out into the world…” (2Jn 7)
“I say this that no one may delude you with plausible arguments” (Col 2:4)
“See that no one takes you captive by philosophy or empty deceit” (Col 2:8).
In the New Testament letters that discuss sin, and its causes and effects, approximately 60% of the issues raised are sins themselves and around 25% of relates to deceiving teachers. The remaining 15% is split between a variety of different problems (scoffers, people seeking out teaching to suit their desires, etc). But the point is that 85% of the time spent on negative issues is on sin and its consequence, and deceitful teaching.
Deceit is the Enemy’s key strategy
I would argue that deceit, and deceitful teaching, is the enemy’s single biggest tool and you must be ready for it.
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)
And then this from Revelation 20…
7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. (Rev 20:7-8)
When Satan is released, his strategy is deceit.
The deceitful teaching the Apostles talk about in their letters – I would argue – is simply the enemy’s schemes in action. Note this from Ephesians 6:
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. (Eph 6:11-18)
There is a reason it is called the “helmet of salvation” – because the enemy is trying to get to believe you aren’t saved. The consequence of which is your heart hardens and you become unrighteous (hence the breastplate of righteousness).
Ephesians 4 makes this link between hardness of heart and sin pretty clear.
17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ! (Eph 4:17-20)
So don’t underestimate the importance and power of deceit by the enemy – deceiving people has a powerful effect in leading people into sin.
Addressing the Problem of Deceitful teaching
How do you address the problem of deceitful teaching? I would say there are three key ways.
- Know what Jesus commanded. It really is impossible to say you have faith and at the same time not know what He commanded. 1Jn 2:4 says this - “Whoever says I know Him and does not keep His commands is a liar”. So the starting point is to know what He commands. Which means studying the gospels.
- Understand what the rest of the New Testament identifies as good and holy. Very simply, the letters teach that doing good falls into three areas. Demeanour (goodness, kindness, gentleness, meekness, humility, a quiet spirit etc); Strength and Discipline (Faith, Honor, Being Just, Patience, Self-control, knowledge, sober-minded, watchful etc); and Service (Shepherding, ”live out your gifts through service”). If teaching takes you away from these things, it is clearly false.
- Sound doctrine. Knowing what is sound doctrine is important for spotting teaching that is not.
A study of doctrine can be a lifelong endeavour. Many issues of doctrine remain hotly debated. Some examples:
- Predestination versus free will remains a hotly debated issue in the Calvinist versus Charismatic movements.
- Infant versus adult baptism is a debate even within the Reformed movement itself.
- The nature of hell and punishment (or not) is a strong debate that is currently raging.
- The “end times” – or eschatology – will probably always be a debate. Along with whether people identify with being pre-millennial, post millennial or amillennial.
Don’t worry if you don’t understand what these mean. The point I am making is that much doctrine remains a source of debate and the fact that it is debated is the point. You can change your mind on these things (my view on infant baptism has changed, for example, and now my wife and I disagree – it is probably just as well that our kids are beyond that the debate is something we have to face!).
But there is a related truth that is important to bear in mind – many of these debates have turned fairly ugly, and as followers of Jesus we are called to unity in the Spirit. Therefore, where constructive debate spills into ugliness, a problem of sin has emerged. It is therefore important to stay away from “vain discussion” – this is what Jesus was pointing at when, after telling the parable of the Prodigal Son, he tells the scholar of the law “Go and do likewise”. Meaning stop talking (which is what the scholars spent a lot of time doing) and go and “do”.
But it is probably also fair to say that the core of our faith is generally not especially debated and the doctrines – or key beliefs – involved in that are very important to know.
The Core of Our Faith
The nature of the gospel is confirmed by both Jesus’s teachings and Pauls.
Men are sinners.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Rom 3:23)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 6:23).
Jesus died, with His shed blood providing atonement for that sin.
28 for this is my blood of the[c] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matt 26:28)
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8)
The death and burial of Jesus was completed by His resurrection.
46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for[c] the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (Luke 24:46-47)
25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:25-29)
“…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom 10:9)
Yet man cannot save himself, but needs God’s grace and leading…
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matt 19:25-26)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph 2:8-9)
Which is imparted through faith and surrender in Christ (and not through works).
“15 …and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;[e] repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Rom 10:9-11)
The result is a changed life and commitment.
25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. 34 “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Luke 14:25-35)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:1-11)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[b] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.(2 Cor 5:17)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:10).
The above represents the core of our faith and few really disagree with these elements. It is absolutely critical that you know and understand this doctrine, as a means of fending off deceiving teaching. Deceiving teaching will tend to do one or both of two things:
- Challenge whether the above is true – did Jesus really die for your sins? Are you really a new creation? Much like the Serpent did to Eve in the garden of Eden.
- Add to the above – “Yes, Jesus did die for your sins, but you also need to do works to be saved”.
Both are false – the doctrines stand as they are.
Note also this verse from 1 Jn 3 (verse 3)
“His commandments are not burdensome”.
One of the consequences of additive teaching, is that it all gets too difficult. In many ways this is what Jesus was talking about when he accuses the Pharisees of having put unnecessary burdens on the people. The Law was intended to be helpful, not a burden in itself, and they had lost the heart of the Law. Similarly, a good test of deceitful teaching is whether the consequences are burdensome. The point of our faith is that Jesus did it all.
Summary
The purpose of this paper has been to set out the key doctrines at the heart of our faith, and to address how these can be used to deal with deceiving teaching. The Bible identifies deceivers as a significant problem and therefore the committed believer must be prepared to deal with it.
Equally important is to understand Jesus’s commands. The Bible tells us that Jesus said “if you love me, you will keep my commands”. Seems fairly self-explanatory.
The Bible does tell us about the key areas of our lives that should be affected by our faith – demeanour, strength/discipline, and service. But it shouldn’t be a burden. The Spirit does the work within us to confirm us to the image of Christ in these areas. They are simply a useful way to examine ourselves in the faith.
As a final point – it is worth noting that the sins the New Testament letters talk about are reflections of doing good. Whereas doing good involves demeanour, strength/discipline and service, the sins largely group as self-centredness and bad language (opposite to demeanour), passions of the flesh (opposite to strength/discipline) and disruptive behaviour (opposite to service). It is important to know what the Bible talks about in terms of sin, but it is perhaps simpler to focus on “doing good” than “avoiding bad”. Especially in the good that comes from self-discipline.