I hope y’all will forgive me if I chase a different rabbit for a moment...
These threads discuss doctrine. Scripture isn’t written as a systematic theology text. Why? Because intellectual assent is nothing.
Scripture is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus”, and when it is used to teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness, the result is “the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Calvin discusses it some here:
“This is the place to address those who, having nothing of Christ but the name and sign, would yet be called Christians. How dare they boast of this sacred name? None have intercourse with Christ but those who have acquired the true knowledge of him from the Gospel. The Apostle denies that any man truly has learned Christ who has not learned to put off “the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and put on Christ,” (Eph. iv. 22.) They are convicted, therefore, of falsely and unjustly pretending a knowledge of Christ, whatever be the volubility and eloquence with which they can talk of the Gospel. Doctrine is not an affair of the tongue, but of the life; is not apprehended by the intellect and memory merely, like other branches of learning; but is received only when it possesses the whole soul, and finds its seat and habitation in the inmost recesses of the heart.”
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/chr_life.iii.html
I’m beginning to think doctrine is something for older Christians to study, as a way of understand what HAS happened and finding new areas to explore in their relation to God.
If we start with doctrine, we can quickly form intellectual assent to many propositions, and never work them into our lives. As an example, here are two simple, basic scriptures:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” - John 3
“For by grace you have been saved through faith.” - Ephesians 2
Both of these played a role in my coming to Christ. And yet, pushing 40 years later, both are ones I’m just BEGINNING to see. I still haven’t worked them properly into my life!
Doctrine is something that is comprehended FROM a changed life, not something that changes the life itself. And that is why God gave us scripture and not a text. What we need is not logical assent to doctrine, but “to present [our] bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is [our] spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of [our] mind, that by testing [we] may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” - Romans 12
Just a thought...gotta go feed the horses & get ready for church.
Absolutely right! A great example is Paul, who after he was born again understood all that he had learned and defended so harshly as a Pharisee, in Jewish theology, and understood how Christ was a fulfillment of that Law.
This must be a broken clock occasionally showing the right time moment for Calvin, because Calvin's passage that you cite and summarize is a very Catholic, and also, especially, very Orthodox statement. As I like to say, religion is not what we think, it is what we do.
Not sure I agree with that. Of course grace comes first before all and with that grace comes ears to hear the truth of God's word.
But "doctrine" is just another word for the many, coherent truths found in Scripture ordained by a rational God for our good.
The doctrine of predestination clarified my knowledge of Christ and the reason for my faith. That doctrine did change my life. What was a feeling became an understanding that permeated every part of my existence...and changed it for the better.
Harleyd often says that it was only after he learned the doctrines of grace that the Bible made full sense to him. I agree with that completely.
We'll never have all the answers, but the answers we do have are more comprehensive and understandable when learned according to the sound doctrine found in Scripture.
That's not a dry, academic approach to God; that's God in the fullness of His revelation of Himself.
In fact, there was a time in my own experience the doctrine of predestination was actually stronger than my understanding of my faith. During college, like many young people, I fell away from religion, but the logic of a universe ordered by God somehow never left me.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." -- Philippeans 4:7-9"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
What we need is not logical assent to doctrine, but “to present [our] bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is [our] spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of [our] mind, that by testing [we] may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” - Romans 12
Watch it. Thinking like that got me to the edge of the Tiber.
I think I disagree about some of what you and Calvin said. (Wow! WHO could have seen THAT coming?)
I am open to the concept of "lousy Christian." And some lousy Christians may just really be "immature". And depending on personality types and gifts, a lot of their doings may be in the realm of doctrine.My persistent analogy is: would I rather read an anatomy text book or make love to my wife? Knowing SOME anatomy will certainly make the love-making more excellent. And the love making will certainly inform my thinking about anatomy. So one is clearly better, and the study without the love, if it never gets beyond that, will have been wasted.
Anyway, thanks for the post. Good, thoughtful, and thought provoking stuff.
That is true, God gave us a living scripture, not a code of conduct like the Muslim Koran.