What’s
Your Doctrine?
By Susan Klein
“He must hold firmly
to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage
others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”
Titus 1:9 (NIV)
Recently,
a friend of mine described his doctrine this way: “I am a Jesus follower, a
selective ecumenist, an old-earth creationist, a non-dispensational
eschatologist, a sola-scriptura-ist (providing I get to define scriptura), and
a Calvaminian.” While my friend proclaimed this in a: ‘tongue-in-cheek” sort of
manner, he went on to exhort, “You believe what you will; I’ll believe what I
will; we’ll talk about it. Let there be peace.”
We
all have our own system of beliefs, or doctrine, that shapes our thoughts and
our behavior. One person’s position on an issue does not necessarily negate
another person’s differing viewpoint, or how they respond to that view. It
really is okay to (respectfully) disagree on some things, though not the “absolutes”
or “non-negotiables” like salvation by grace through faith. For example: One
person might take a pre-tribulation rapture view, while another takes a mid- or
post-tribulation rapture view. Or, a friend might choose to display her
doctrine of prayer by reverently kneeling with her eyes closed, while another
chooses to pray out loud in the car while driving to work in the morning. You
might show the love of Jesus to the single mom next door by inviting her to a
Bible study, while another neighbor shows His love by doing her yard work. Both
are displaying their doctrine, though not in the same manner.
While
Scripture warns believers not to quarrel about such differences (2Timothy 2:14,
23-24), we are called to hold firmly to our own beliefs. God didn’t spell out
every minute detail to every issue, thus, giving us certain freedoms in our
expression of our doctrine. He does, however, desire for us to make a choice about what we do believe and
then stand by it, while living at peace with those who may disagree.
Remember
Mary of Bethany in the Gospels? Her actions showed her conviction about her
doctrine. She chose to believe the teachings of her friend and Lord, Jesus. She
also chose to display her beliefs by symbolically anointing His feet with her
perfume. Onlookers scoffed at Mary’s doctrine because it was different from
theirs. Jesus praised her actions and refuted the opposers, even proclaiming
that her actions would be shared with, and ultimately encourage, many
generations to come.
So,
what about you? What doctrine are you choosing to live out for Christ?
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
What Scriptural truths are your beliefs
base on? If you aren’t sure, what else might you be basing them on?
2. How might you encourage others with your
beliefs, and live at peace with those who differ from you?
FURTHER
READING:
Susan is a We Women Bible
Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark enjoy
tutoring and working with inner-city youth.
