It is true, brethren, as you well know, that in our day it is common for people to say, “Emphasizing doctrine so much only harms and hinders the kingdom of God, yes, even destroys it.” Many say, “Instead of disputing over doctrine so much, we should much rather be concerned with souls and with leading them to Christ.” But all who speak in this way do not really know what they are saying or what they are doing. As foolish as it would be to scold a farmer for being concerned about sowing good seed and to demand of him simply to be concerned about a good harvest, so foolish it is to scold those who are concerned first and foremost with the doctrine, and to demand of them that they should rather seek to rescue souls. For just as the farmer who wants a good crop must first of all be concerned about good seed, so the church must above all be concerned about right doctrine if it would save souls.
--C. F. W. Walther
I have never quite understood the antipathy for doctrine so prevalent in many modern, evangelical circles. The only way I can explain it is to assume that the "Gospel" in these circles is not about truth. It is solely about existential encounter. It is not about marriage or covenant. It is about a one night stand, a romance that is not meant to last, built upon sensations rather than solemn vows. I suppose I do not understand it, fundamentally, because I know what I need as a religious person, as a sinner, as an otherwise lost soul. I do not need gentle, pale Jesus, meek, and mild to make me feel better about my misery. I do not want to feel better about my misery. I want to be saved from it. I do not need a celestial buddy, and I most certainly do not need or wish to have a boyfriend to whom I can sing sentimental love songs. I need a loving Priest, a Savior, a Redeemer who is willing and able to save me from my sins, to save me from the judgment that surely awaits me, to intercede on my behalf before an all knowing and perfectly just God. I need a wise Prophet who deposits truth, tangible truth, communicable truth, in the context of a historical movement, which is the only vehicle able to protect this treasure over the shifting sands of time. I need a clarion call of reality, ringing like a pure note even amid the chaotic, ear piercing clanging that is worldly speculation. I need a manly, heroic, fell, and powerful King who is able to command respect and bring all things to their proper place and end, a King who is over all natural and moral law, while being Himself subject to nothing and no one. Anything less than this is a chasing after the wind. It may feel good, but, like romance, it is here today and gone tomorrow, a vapor.
Honor, Liberty, Truth!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
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2 comments:
I guess that issue is… must it be all or nothing? Must we be only about doctrine and not concerned about the great commission? Or must we be so concerned about the great commission that we are not concerned about growing our people to maturity through sound doctrine in the Lord’s Kingdom. Can there not be a concern of both and our efforts applied to both appropriately. I too do not see “doctrine” as an “enemy” of God, for it is through consistent application of sound “doctrine” that we may delight the Lord. I think the modern evangelical church is so concerned about “legalism” that there is a tendency to forget the concept of “duty” that is born out of the essence of sound doctrine. After what the Lord has done for us do we not have a “duty” to draw near to him? As we are His can He not request effort from us and employee us for use in His Kingdom? How do we represent Him if we are not learning how to perform those “duties” by studying His word as He has asked us to do to show ourselves approve and furthering ourselves in the knowledge of sound doctrine.
Dad,
I think you are right. I don't think it is an either/or proposition. I think we can value doctrine while also fulfilling the Great Commission. That is why I don't like the trend in modern evangelicalism to sacrifice doctrine for the sake of evangelism. According to the Great Commission itself to "evangelize" is to indoctrinate or teach.
I would also agree that we are duty bound to be faithful to the Lord. Covenant faithfulness is an essential part of New Testament Christianity. Now, many evangelicals may be into duty and doing stuff for the church, but if their efforts are not based solidly on truth it is a zeal without knowledge. At the same time, we also do not want a knowledge without zeal.
Andrew
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