Doctrine

From Theopedia

"Doctrine is the term generally given to the body of teachings that result from... [weaving] together the various strands of the biblical witness, integrating them into a coherent systematic account of the Christian vision of reality." ^[1]

The term doctrine refers to that which is taught. The Greek word in the New Testament is didaskalia, and it is variously translated as teaching, instruction, or doctrine. Christians use it to describe the basic theology which is understood to be the teaching of the Bible. In this sense it represents the content of the Christian faith.

Doctrine is important. Scripture stresses the importance of sound doctrine. In the pastoral epistles there are 28 specific references to the importance of doctrine or the content of our teaching. For example,

• Give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching (i.e. doctrine). (1 Tim. 4:13).
• Preach the word . . . with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires. (2 Tim. 4:2-3).
• Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching (doctrine); persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. (2 Tim. 4:16).
• holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. (Titus 1:9).

[edit] Resources

• Kevin Vanhoozer, The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical Linguistic Approach to Christian Theology (WJK, 2005)
• George Lindbeck, The Nature of Doctrine: Religion and Theology in a Postliberal Age (WJK, 1984)
• Alister McGrath, The Genesis of Doctrine: A Study in the Foundation of Doctrinal Criticism (Eerdmans, 1997)
• Richard Bauckham and Benjamin Drewery, eds. Scripture, Tradition and Reason: A Study in the Criteria of Christian Doctrine (T&T Clark, 1988)

[edit] References

1. ↑ Alister McGrath, "Doctrine", in Kevin Vanhoozer, Gen. ed., Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible (Baker Academic, 2005), p. 177

[edit] See also

• Theology
• Systematic theology
• Historical theology

[edit] External links

• Has Doctrine Become the New Dirty Word?, by Holly Pivec (Biola Connections)
• Give Me Doctrine or Give Me Death, by Greg Gilbert (9Marks)