“Doctrine is Important, But …”

In a culture that looks with skepticism about any claims of truth, it is not surprising that even in some Bible-believing churches there is little promotion of the need for doctrine.  The sentiment in many places seems to be, “Doctrine is important but …”

I heard a good sermon once where the preacher made that very comment, “Doctrine is important but …”  He never explained why it was important but quickly moved on. Later he told a story about his own growing rage at another driver.  In frustration, he wanted to stop his car, get out, and verbally, if not physically, pound the guy.  His candor was appreciated.  But he kept his cool, stayed in his car, and drove on.

I asked myself, “How did he know to move on?”  He applied so many positive aspects of Christian conduct: love your enemy (Matthew 5:44), be angry and do not sin (Ephesians 4:26), say “no” to ungodliness (Titus 2:12), get rid of bitterness and rage (Colossians 3:8), treat others the way you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12) and more.  All of these are Bible doctrines.  Although he said earlier, “Doctrine is important but …” there was no “but” about the need for it in that situation.  The application of Bible doctrine saved the day, not to mention possibly a fight or jail time!

Part of the bugaboo is the complexities of language. Language changes and words take on different nuances, and sometimes totally different meanings.  Many get the impression that doctrine is basically what churches and Christians fight about.  As long as Christians still sin, and our doctrine says we will, some of that will show up in misguided contentiousness.

However, we should not allow that to deter us from understanding what doctrine is.  Nor should we minimize the importance of intentionally presenting doctrinal studies in the work of the church.  That said, we need to be more precise in how we talk about it.  For years I have mirrored what I was taught about several New Testament letters, that the first part of them is about doctrine, whereas the last part is about how we live.  For example, I have taught that the first eleven chapters of Romans are about doctrine, what we believe, whereas the last five chapters are about life, how we live out Christ’s teaching.

I now believe that dichotomy is a misnomer.  The foundations of our faith (what we know intellectually), and the practical application of that understanding in life (what we do) are both Bible doctrine.  For example, without the Bible defining love, people can twist its meaning to engage in unspeakable sin.  On the other hand, to understand biblical love and then choose not to act on it is also sinful.  We need both understanding and application.

So, what is doctrine as it relates to Christianity?  In translation work, there has been a shift relative to using the word doctrine.  Whereas the KJV uses it 51 times and the NKJV 37, newer versions have shied away from it.  Representative examples are the NASV using it only 10 times, the ESV 11, the NET just once, and the NLT not at all¹.  This coincides with what Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary indicates².  Doctrine, which was once commonly understood to mean teaching or instruction, is now considered an archaic use of the term. That is why the newer versions have moved away from the word doctrine and replaced it with the words teaching or instruction.

The key biblical Greek words once predominantly translated as doctrine (didaskalia, didache) are defined as follows in BDAG³:  Didaskalia means “1. the act of teaching, teaching, instruction; 2. that which is taught, teaching, instruction.”  Didache means “1. the activity of teaching, teaching, instruction; 2. the content of teaching, teaching.”

If we hang on to the archaic meaning of doctrine, we really need it. However, the word doctrine may carry an unwanted connotation to contemporary audiences of “what Christians fight about.”  So, if we use the word, we should define it to mean “the teaching and instruction of Christ.”

A prudent move may be to simply use the words teaching and instruction referring to that body of biblical knowledge that defines and directs our understanding and application of the faith.  The teaching and instruction of Christ, directly from his lips or through his inspired writers is of paramount importance.  Do we need an intentional and sustained focus on it in our churches? We will discuss that in our next blog so stay tuned.

Notes:

¹KJV (King James Version); NKJV (New King James Version); NASV (New American Standard Version); ESV (English Standard Version); NET (New English Translation); NLT (New Living Translation).

²Merriam-Webster Unabridged. https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/

³A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature.  Third edition. Revised and edited by Frederick William Danker.  The University of Chicago Press.

The Preventative Antidote to Abortion

The abortion debate will rage on from state to state.  Those who believe that God created human life to begin at conception will not get equal time in most media outlets.  Those who focus on the mother’s right to terminate the life of her fetus are likely to get more airtime.  As noted in my last submission, over 85% of women who abort have become pregnant out of wedlock (1).  The 15% of married who opt for abortion is not the focus on these articles.  That is not to minimize their importance or the serious and complicated factors that may lead to their decision.  But the largest contributor to unwanted pregnancies is a view of sex which has come out of the Sexual Revolution.  It says sexual intercourse without a lifelong commitment to another in marriage is fine.

Two thoughts come immediately to mind.  One, large segments of our culture think sexual abstinence apart from marriage is an archaic notion and an attack on freedom.  In that regard many would consider someone who says, “Extra-marital sex is wrong,” to be narrow minded, unenlightened, and judgmental (2).  How to communicate ideas to people who dismiss our message and, therefore, shut off discussion by simply turning away is a quandary. After all, our conviction is based on the fact that we actually care about people’s well-being.

Although we may struggle to find the right approach, even given the mistakes we may make, we must still communicate the truth. Jesus wanted everyone to embrace his message, but he never hesitated to let people walk away because he told the truth (3).  The truth is what sets people free, not avoiding the truth for fear of people’s reactions.

Two, some would argue that stressing sexual abstinence apart from marriage ends up being nothing more than preaching to the choir.  In other words, only those who already hold to such a view of sexual ethics will applaud the message.  So why bother?

However, so-called preaching to the choir is crucial.  Scripture often tells us that without constant reminders we are prone to relax our standards or become anesthetized to the dangers of sin.  Sexual purity is not a given in the choir (i.e., among believers).  Google ‘sexual scandals in the church’ and you will find story after story of dedicated Christians who betrayed God’s design for sex.  The message of abstinence apart from marriage must be delivered regularly, especially to the faithful.

Believers must safeguard their own sexual choices.  But reminders of the importance of sexual purity encourages them to be the voice of Christ in the marketplace.  They have family, friends, and associates who may be influenced by their “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16).  This is the setting where many Christians have earned respect by lives well lived.  That respect translates into opportunities for people to listen to our message because they have come to trust us.

Some would object by saying, “Yes, but you can’t stop the wind from blowing.  People will have sex outside of marriage.  Get real!”  People are going to use opioid drugs.  Should we stop challenging people to avoid them?  People will drink and drive.  Should we stop urging them to change their behavior? Having sex outside of marriage often leads to sexually transmitted disease and a world of psychological or relational complications.  It also leads too often to unwanted pregnancy and abortion.  Restraint and self-discipline are the antidote to a major social crisis.

As far as getting real, I’m under no illusion that when we advocate sexual abstinence outside of marriage everyone will see the wisdom in that and comply.  Hardly!  Our desire is for everyone to see and apply what’s obvious.  Abortion becomes a non-issue when sexual restraint is exercised outside of marriage.  But I’m not naïve enough to think we can reach everyone.  The goal is not to reach everyone, but to reach some.   As Paul said about sharing the gospel, along with its implications for godly living, I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some (1 Corinthians 9:22 ESV).

Every person who catches the vision of the Bible’s preventative antidote to abortion is one more person spared from facing a life altering decision.  Conservative churches and Bible believing Christians do a good job of supporting biblical wisdom on sexual ethics.  Still, there are reminders and possible approaches that can help us do better.  Our next article will address some of these.

Notes:

(1)  See my previous post, The Abortion Crisis: A Root Opportunity at https://wordaliveenterprises.com/blog/

(2)  Many who conclude that we are judgmental tend themselves to be judgmental in their assessment of us and our position.  We must not allow accusations to move us away from our convictions.

(3)  See when many of his disciples walked away (John 6:66) because he told them the truth (John 6:26-59).

Revelation: Facing and Winning Life’s Challenges

I recently led a Revelation class via Zoom and am nearing the completion of a classroom study in my hometown.  Nothing compares to an in-person class setting for the quality of interaction between people. Yet the virtual class offers distinct advantages as well.  In our class, we had around ten participants, but among the ten, we had people from four different states.

This was my own presentation but we leaned on a commonly used title, Revelation for the Rest of Us.   I may change it to Revelation: Facing and Winning Life’s Challenges.  John’s original audience consisted of Christians at the end of the first century who lived under the threat of persecution.  Whether someone experienced it or not, Christians lived under the daily weight of knowing it might land on them or one of their loved ones.

There are many views of Revelation.  They are not created equal.  Some are highly popular, others are not.  Understanding Revelation, however, is not a popularity contest.  Our first goal is to wrestle with what the Lord intended to communicate through the apostle John.

Let me be quick to acknowledge the intelligence, sincerity, and faith of anyone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Lord.  If a preacher or teacher believes that Jesus will come again to judge the living and dead, and to reward his people with eternal life in a new heaven and new earth, then we agree on the most important truth.  If we disagree about what the right approach to  Revelation is or how the details play out, it is not to downgrade or put down other believers.  We simply agree to disagree agreeably.

If casual conservation is a barometer, the most popular view of Revelation is one that believes most of Revelation has not yet happened.  There is a gap approaching 2,000 years from the time of John’s writing in the first century until things kick in sometime in our future.  This view maintains that the events of chapters 4-20 are just around the corner but have not happened yet.  In other words, chapters 4-20 did not apply to the situation John’s audience faced.  Some believe this so strongly that to disagree is viewed as a sign of unbelief.  That is not true, but there is great passion among some about this.

My operating assumption is simple.  John’s audience lived with the threat of persecution.  They needed the whole book to apply to their situation.  They needed perspective on how to interpret their world.  Encouragement to stay faithful would play a crucial role when tempted to give in to the pressures they faced.  Convincing reasons for them to be willing to die for Christ if necessary were essential.  Constant reminders of their immediate reward upon death as well as their final reward in heaven would be the fuel to keep them going.  Interpreted from this perspective, we discover that chapters 4-20 are all about the circumstances and situations every generation of Christians must face, whether in the first, thirteenth, or twenty-first century.  It speaks to things we see all around us on a regular basis, confirming every day that Jesus knew what he was talking about.

Traveling down the road of this viewpoint means some of us find the book of Revelation just as convincing and convicting as ever.  But it also seems less confusing, more comforting, and less threatening.  I have heard so many Christians express their own fear about things to come based on Revelation.  Yet John’s audience lived with the possibility of persecution.  The last thing they needed was a book that gave them one more thing of which to be anxious or afraid.  My conviction is that the Lord gave them a book in which every chapter spoke to their situation, clarifying their understanding, sharpening their hope, and bringing comfort to their souls.  It can do the same for us too.

If the above does nothing for you, I get it. Some Christians whom I have respected the most have held the more popular view of Revelation.  If they are right, the Lord knows I am on board with however he works it out.  However, if you have been hesitant to get into Revelation, thinking it is a book that inspires confusion or fear, let me know.  For my distance readers, I would love to schedule a Zoom class.  For my Kokomo readers, we could do something locally.  In any case, if that’s you, drop me a note at [email protected].

Praying for God to Remove a World Leader

        Ukraine.  Invaded. Confirmation of the biblical view of mankind.  Philosophers, academicians, liberal theologians, and bright people in every walk of life often balk at the biblical view of people.  They see it as demeaning to argue that people are inherently sinful.  However, history continues to confirm it.  If righteous wars must be fought to oppose evil, it is only because lurking in the background is the evil to begin with.

In my church today we were called to pray.  We took time to pray and were encouraged to keep praying as long as it takes.  Godly people all over the world are doing the same.  There are so many aspects of this tragic war that need the prayers of God’s people.

We pray because we believe, for the God who created our world, who can move mountains, who raised his Son from the dead, and brought cleansing for our sin, there is nothing impossible.  That includes God’s ability to depose leaders.  In a prayer of praise Daniel said to God and about God, Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.  He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning (Daniel 2:20-21).

God’s positioning of leaders on the world stage remains a mystery.  We often wonder why a dictator, or president, or prime minister, or king is allowed to rise to prominence when they rule with apparent ignorance or evil intent.  Yet God sees a bigger picture than our finite minds can grasp.  I try to remind myself that our brains, in spite of how wise we see ourselves, are smaller than a speck of dust in the cosmos and pale in comparison to the Divine Mind that created and directs our world.  God knows what he is doing.

So how privileged are we that God allows us to partner with him for change!  When God hears prayers that are off target, he knows our intent is good.  Even so, he is not obligated to bring change because of misguided prayer.  But more significantly, God calls us to pray because he designed a mechanism by which we can effect positive change for his glory.

A stunning picture is painted by John in Revelation of this truth.  An angel is given incense to offer before the throne, along with the prayers of the saints.  John then writes, The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand.  Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake (Rev. 8:4-5).

The picture is profound.  The prayers of the saints go up to God’s throne, and the answers are thrown down to earth with jaw-dropping power.  Our prayers have God-given power to change our world.

So, if God can depose rulers, is it appropriate for us to pray that he do so?  He certainly has a lot of tools at his disposal.  In a democracy he can use elections; in other forms of government, he can use revolution; it can come as the result of war; it come can through stroke and heart attack; it can even come through a leader’s change of heart.  But is it appropriate to pray for a leader by name, along with likeminded successors, to be deposed?

I admit it.  Since the start of this war, I have prayed that very thing.  I am hoping many who haven’t, will consider joining me.  Evil men with evil intentions do evil things to millions of people.  It seems more than appropriate to pray for the God who deposes kings to consider doing so now.

No prayer of this kind should be offered presumptuously.  For something as simple as travel plans James reminds us that we should pray, If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15). With something as important and consequential as deposing world leaders, the spirit of our prayers must be, If it is the Lord’s will, this will happen.

I am praying for God to depose those leaders who orchestrated this dreadful atrocity.  I will, of course, accept God’s perfect understanding of what I cannot see, as well as his timing and decisions.  But pray I will!

The Conundrum of Daily Bible Reading (Part Three)

      I have a hopeless sweet tooth.  If I order Italian dressing, I always put a packet or two of sweetener on my salad.  If you are thinking, “Oh gag,” I get it.  What makes us people is that we are people – a lot the same, and lot different.  So, when it comes to daily Bible reading, it is impossible to pour Christians into the mold of one size fits all.

Still, in America we are those “to whom much is given” (Luke 12:48).  Of the 7,378 languages in the world, 3,883 do not have the Scriptures in their own language.¹  In contrast, Bible Gateway puts over sixty versions of the Bible in English at our fingertips with a computer keystroke.²  Parts of our world live in biblical poverty; we are wealthy beyond measure.  If we can read, we have a responsibility to get into and stay into God’s word.

What follows are merely suggestions.  Not all of them will apply to everyone, but hopefully some of us will find ideas that motivate us to minimize the conundrum. 

Just do it!  Many of us just need to commit again to daily Bible reading.  Each time we get out of the routine, then recommit, that is a victory.  Focusing on failure rather than grasping the opportunity anew is counterproductive.  Start reading and feel good about it! If you hit a snag, don’t beat yourself up.  Start over again.  Just do it!

Choose a Readable Version.  Some Bible versions are designed to read easier.  A practical guide for determining the reading level of various Bible versions can be found at Christianbook.com.³  Some of the smartest people I know like the New Living Translation, yet it is rated at a 6^th grade reading level.  Other versions like the New American Standard are rated at 11^th grade, the English Standard at 10^th grade, the New International at 8^th grade, and the King James at 12^th grade.  Regardless of your reading level, pick one that reads easily for you.

Follow a plan.  If you plan to read the whole Bible in a year, there are good plans you can follow for each day’s reading.  A clear direction always helps.  Do an online search or ask a Christian friend to help you find a reading schedule.  However, don’t assume that you must read through the Bible in a year.  That is a great goal, but if you want smaller portions for daily reading, select a Bible book and the number of verses you want to cover daily.  Slow and steady often wins the race.

Remember study is reading. A percentage of Christians prefer to do their own Bible study, digging deeper than a surface read.  That might be as a student learning from a good Bible teacher, as a Bible teacher yourself, or independently for personal benefit.  The vast majority of my own Bible reading has come through Bible study.  One of the conundrums we discussed is the need for someone to guide our understanding.  It is hard to think about reading what we don’t understand.  Sitting at the feet of gifted teachers, like the disciples at Jesus’ feet, still required me to read the Scriptures we were studying.  The same is true if I am preparing to teach.  Some argue that Bible study does not qualify as daily devotion in Bible reading, but I can’t find that verse in Scripture.  It most certainly does.

Stretch it out.  The Psalmist meditated on God’s word day and night (Psalm 119:97,148).  Meditation isn’t moving on to a new passage every day but reading the same Bible passage or Bible truth daily, either literally or in your mind.  To memorize Scripture, we have to read and recite it many times to get it cemented in our minds.  Taking a passage heard in a sermon or class and reading it daily throughout the week, thinking through its implication for life, is still reading and is powerful!

You can read the Scriptures and not know God.  Wrong conclusions drawn from Scripture or a purely academic approach does not lead to knowing God intimately. But for people of faith, we recognize that God speaks directly to us through his word in personal and powerful ways.  Getting into the word is not an intellectual exercise but a personal encounter with the living God in which we get to know him more completely.  Let’s think of ways to do this daily!

¹https://wycliffe.net/resources/statistics

²https://www.biblegateway.com

³https://support.biblegateway.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001403747-What-are-the-reading-levels-of-the-Bibles-on-Bible-Gateway-

See also … https://christianbook.com/page/bibles/about/bible-translation-reading-levels