What is Doctrine?

This entry is very elementary but  key to the fundamentals I embrace. So what is doctrine? If we were to read the "doctrinal statements" of those who would describe themselves as holding to the fundamental doctrines of the Bible, we may find statements that don't even fit in the simple definition of a biblical doctrine. The more of these we find in a statement of faith the less fundamental that statement becomes. When we force the definition of what a doctrine really is, everyone who believes in the fundamental doctrines of the Bible should be in complete agreement. There will still be disagreement in application of biblical principle and a host of other personal differences in a wide range of topics. Some circles separate the doctrines into categories of essential and not-essential. We can discuss these later but here we will emphasize what a doctrine is.

Now to the definition of a biblical doctrine. The word "doctrine" simply means "teaching". I would simplify it in this way; "What does the Bible say?" For example, the Bible says in numerous places that "all have sinned". The doctrine derived from those statements and the absence of any contradictory statements is the statement itself. Everyone is a sinner! Period! Other doctrines are derived from various clear statements but with the absence of a single statement. An example of this doctrine would be the nature of God. Who is God.? Is God one? Doctrines are statements of truth from God's Word. Our understanding of those statements can never alter a doctrine. The Bible contains statements concerning God the Father, Jesus being equal and one with the Father, and the Spirit being God. There are other statements that use these three personalities interchangeably. There are no direct statements referring to the Trinity but the doctrine of Trinity is obtained through numerous statements concerning each personality we identify as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Here is a negative example. I was recently reading a doctrinal statement which began, as most do, with the doctrine of the Bible. Within this statement was a statement concerning the King James Translation of the Bible as the preserved Word of God for today. However, this violates the definition of what a doctrine is. Doctrines are derived from direct statements in the Scriptures. Where in the Bible is there any mention of translations? This may be addressed in another section of a church's constitution but not in a statement of faith. When these non-doctrinal topics become doctrinal areas of separation between believers, one begins to encroach on the dangerous ground of adding or taking away from God's Word.

Conclusion:
We will find a lot more common ground that unifies us if we will honestly look at what is really biblical doctrine. Which one of us could reject direct statements from God's Word. All we know on which we stand for this life and the next is found solely in what we call the Bible; the 66 books, 39 OT and 27 NT books we carry to church every Sunday. There needs to be balance in our dealings with one another but there also should be an unmovable foundation on which we all stand. That unmovable foundation is God's Word and the direct clear teachings, doctrines, contained therein.