When I was much younger as a Christian, any time I hear the word "doctrine", it brings some shivers down my spine. Some of the things I heard called doctrine those days did not sit well with me. They were unclear and controversial.
Almost every church seemed to have conflicting doctrines. This got me confused as a young believer. I began to ask, "who is right"?
Later, as I grew in the Lord, I realized that what some call doctrine are personal dogmas of the preacher and misinterpretation of God's infallible word by fallible men. We must separate dogma from doctrine.
What is doctrine? Doctrine simply refers to teachings, a body of knowledge taught. Then, bible doctrine refers to the teachings of the bible. You will agree with me that there are basic&fundamental teachings for growth and edification in the bible.
One of the reasons God gave us the bible is to be taught doctrines. The new testament church is meant to be a solid ground for learning sound doctrine that will edify and strengthen us not an entertainment centre. It is meant to be a school.
Ideally, every church should be a spiritual school and the pastor must be a teacher/tutor who can teach scriptures properly. Every member must also be a diligent student of the word who learns and study the scriptures by himself. This is the ideal portrait of the new testament church and believer.
Some wonder why there is a dearth of Christlike believers who can be trusted and vouched for. Today, there is an increase in nominal christians who only profess to belong to a church or denomination but they lack the identity that made Antiochians call the brethren Christians.
One reason for this misnomer is because doctrines are not taught to believers. No believer lives better than what he is taught or learning.
What do you expect from a believer whose tutor downplays holy living and tells them living in sin will not stop them from entering heaven?
The doctrine you learn will shape your character.
If you want to grow into the very image of Christ, find a place where the doctrines of Christ is taught and be a student of scriptures on your own. The bible is an open book for all to read and learn.
