Sound Doctrine

Sound Doctrine

When we discuss biblical doctrine there are three elements to consider: 

1. the information taught [passive tense of didache]
2. the act of teaching the information to others [active tense of didache]
3. the source of the information [its authority].

1. The information in a math class includes adding, subtracting, division, multiplication etc. 2) The act of presenting, explaining, and examining the information usually falls to someone selected to act as a teacher. 3) The source and authority of the information in the math class comes from a combination of observing the world around us, applying logic and reason for areas where observation doesn't cut it, and from experts who have demonstrated their expertise and written it down in a text book. Note: the teacher of the information does not need to be the source of the information.

Biblical instruction follows the same model. But this description leaves the most important element.... PURPOSE.

Purpose of Biblical Instruction

The purpose of math class is that the student may become skilled or competent in math and then after graduation to use those skills to live a better material life... perhaps a  master carpenter, maybe an accountant etc.

The purpose of biblical instruction is so the student becomes skilled or competent in thinking and acting like God their Father... then after graduation [resurrection] to use those skills to live a spiritual life which is better than material life was or ever could have been. Better because it is permanent, righteous, and filled with loving an being loved.

1 Timothy 1:5-11 biblical instruction is moral instruction. It gives you a good, solid, reliable path through all the deceptive and destructive options out there. Biblical instruction creates a path leading to healthy, clean living which is more psychologically satisfying and reliable than the alternatives.

The material life is not designed to provide full satisfaction and completeness. If you feel let down by material life its not a flaw in creation… its not a problem with you… that satisfaction only comes with eternal life in the God family.

The end goal of biblical instruction is not about proper performance of rituals or ceremonies. Its about regulating behaviors that affect yourself and others... biblical instruction is about controlling thoughts and emotions that affect yourself and others. Sound biblical instruction promotes the good and discourages the bad.

12. God's word help us identify behavior patterns [it gives us a helpful definition of sin… it identifies the good attitudes of the spirit].
13. We also get our Creator's expert opinion on which behavior patterns are desirable and which are not.
14. We also get plenty of persuasive exhortation to choose the good over the bad.

Note: the bible contains rituals and ceremonies... and performing them as instructed is important. But the importance of rituals and ceremonies is not in the perfection of the performance [that's a pagan mindset]. The importance is found in the lessons we learn through sincerely and obediently participating in them.

For example, observance of the Sabbath as instructed by scripture teaches us to respect time… to respect divine authority… to respect others through how we treat them [ex. servants get to rest just like you]. These lead to a way of living and thinking that is healthy and complete... SOUND doctrine [hugiaino = healthy, wellness, good health].

The Source of Sound Doctrine

2 Timothy 3:16 sound doctrine originates with God. It is then transmitted or made available to human beings through the written word mediated through people chosen for the job. [Jews--OT, Greeks--NT].

John 7:16 When Jesus came He taught within the established framework of the will of God which had already been presented by written word. John 18:19-21 Jesus was a teacher of truth. He taught in the synagogues on the Sabbath. He taught from scripture. Mark 1:21-22.

By teaching from scripture He validated the writings of the OT. The new covenant Church also recognized and used the OT scriptures. These are the words that Paul says are "God Breathed", these are the words the new covenant Church used as the basis for teaching "sound doctrine".

After the life death and resurrection of Jesus the old writings took on new and greater meaning.This new understanding was then written down and is now known as the NT. The prophetic and apostolic origin of these writings is the basis for their authority: Peter, John, Matthew,James, and Jude walked and talked with Jesus when He was alive... Paul was taught directly by the risen Christ... Luke and Mark acted under the direction of Paul and Peter.

Based on scriptural evidence Paul, Peter, and John determined the collection of writings which would be preserved. All subsequent activities of men serves only to ratify what they did.

2 Timothy 4:13; 2 Peter 1:12-15, 3:16, Revelation 22:18-19

Inerrancy of Scripture

John 10:35 UCG believes and teaches that the received word of God is without error in its original autographs... and when correctly interpreted is entirely true in all it says... whether it be doctrine, ethics, or even the natural world. When critics argue the bible is at odds with science it is because they are interpreting the bible to say things it does not say.

Sola Scriptura

This is a Latin phrase that means "only scripture". Everyone who claims to be a follower of God and or Christ says "our beliefs come from the bible". But if that's true why are there so many wildly different ideas that all claim to come from the same book?

Sound doctrine is determined by a balance between the words on paper, the authority and integrity of the on appointed to teach, and the guidance of the holy spirit within the speaker and listener.

Word based: the protestant movement rejected the catholic authority and proclaimed they were going to use only scripture to determine teaching and practice... "sola scriptura". The result is a confused muddle, and hundreds of divergent and conflicting teachings supposedly derived from the same words on paper.

Teacher based: the catholic movement elevated church authority and human reason over clear statements and obvious implications of scripture. Which has lead to a body of belief often disconnected the the words written on paper.

Spirit Driven: some say "the holy spirit guides me into all truth". But if two groups claiming the direction of the holy spirit come up with very different teachings... how do you know which is the holy spirit... and which is the spirit of deception? The only way to validate some insight that supposedly comes through the spirit is to ensure that it aligns with the written word.

Our goal is just the right balance between: the word, authority, holy spirit.

Distilling Doctrine From The Bible

[chart showing degrees of authority]

Here is a chart showing how doctrine should be determined. The foundation of the pyramid is the most solid and trustworthy form of teaching - "direct statement of scripture". As we go up the pyramid we get further and further away from the reliable foundation…. we get distortion as other variables enter the process.

For example, if we are teaching about God and say "God is our Father".... that's a direct statement of scripture. If we say "Jesus Christ is His Son"... " that's a direct statement of scripture. If we say "Jesus was the word of God made flesh... and that word was also God"... we are using direct statements of scripture.

If we say God is a family we are teaching the direct implications of scripture. So we are still on the firm foundation of the pyramid. However, if people get into saying God is three persons coexisting eternally as a single being [IE. trinity]... we are going way up the pyramid. This is not a solid reliable, helpful, or sound teaching.

Administrative Decisions Versus Doctrine

Not everything the Church of God promotes or says is doctrine. Some statements of the Church are what we call administrative decisions.

For example; we have scriptural examples of people using songs of praise at holy convocations which scripture presents as good. We also have instruction that holy convocations should be conducted in an orderly manner. We also have instructions that some are assigned as administrators to maintain that order within the Church. THEREFORE, the Church makes a decision about how many songs we sing in our standard order of service, when we sing, etc..

How the Church chooses to set up its governing structure runs along the same lines.

Jesus Christ and Doctrine

We saw earlier that Jesus was a teacher of scripture… Jesus also taught against some of the traditional doctrines that had become the beliefs of the Jews [ex. Corban laws, overly restrictive Sabbath regulations, divorce]. Ideas that went further up the pyramid of doctrinal authority Matthew 15:2-6. The apostles taught likewise 1 Peter 1:18.

The teaching and doctrine of the powerful religious groups like the Pharisees or Sadducee were in some cases a hardship, sometimes difficult and obscure, sometimes denying basic human dignity. By contrast the message which the Father had sent Him to teach was healing , enlightening, and not burdensome Matthew 11:25-30.

Jesus teaching against human religious tradition brought Him into conflict with the religious authorities of the day. The Church of God often finds itself in the same situation.

Maintaining Our Balance

Sometimes we try to write our self a code that will tell us how short is short, or where is the line beyond which we may not go, what foods to eat, how to raise a child. When we do that we are taking a risk. We risk missing the true intent of God's instruction, we risk having the simple truth of God overshadowed by our own traditions...

Yet, God's people need guidance and direction. As a Church we seek balance. We want that perfect balance between, the word, Authority, and the holy spirit.

Think of walking across a thin beam crossing a river. You start out on the beam. Then you start tilting too far to the right... so you correct yourself by shifting yourself to the left. Then you mover forward... but not too quickly so you have to pull back... then a little to the right... then the left... forward, backward, right left. Balance is a fluid movement.

People who are really good at it look like they are not making all those corrective movements... but they are. They are just making smaller more refined movements right, left, back forth.

Your Attitude Toward Sound Doctrine

2 Timothy 1:13-14 we should protect and guard what we have been given, wary of adding or taking away. We can grown in grace and knowledge but we should also keep coming back to the basics.

Be patient with the Church as we walk the tight rope, but don’t fall off.

Remember that no teaching of scripture is very meaningful without the foundation of love for God and love for one another.

Conclusion:

Romans 6:17-18 the doctrines and teachings of the bible are moral teachings which point you towards living the good life.

As a Church our doctrines and beliefs must be based on the word of God... absorbing the content... teaching it to others... supporting those who teach... supporting the authority that is behind it... intellectually... administratively... emotionally... financially... and spiritually.

If we do this in the proper balance of word, authority, and spirit we will be growing in grace and knowledge.