Tuesday, July 26, 2011

What is "Sound Doctrine"?



You've probably heard teachers and preachers talk about the need for "sound doctrine" in today's church. Usually, this "sound doctrine" happens to mirror a denominational statement of faith ratified years ago and enforced by church leadership, (deacons, elders, etc.), and reinforced through church membership classes and sometimes even Sunday School classes.

But, what is "sound doctrine" according to the Word of God? Shouldn't we take whatever standards there may be for "sound doctrine" from the Scriptures themselves?

Here's what Paul had to say about "sound doctrine" when he wrote to the apostle, Titus:

"You, (Titus) however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine." - Titus 2:1

See? Obviously Paul knew that it was very important to teach sound doctrine in the Church. Luckily for us, Paul breaks down the elements of this sound doctrine for us here:

"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." - Titus 2:2-5

Wait. So, let me get this straight. Paul says that sound doctrine is all about being self-controlled, loving, patient and full of faith? Huh. I was expecting more like rules and laws and stuff. Wait, let's see what he says after this part. Maybe the rules and laws come later:

"Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."- Titus 2:6-8

Ok. So, sound doctrine seems to be more about how we live our lives before one another. It's like, setting examples for one another by doing good, showing integrity, speaking truthfully, living a simple, decent life before men. That's....shocking. So is the next part:

"Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive." - Titus 2:9-11

Ok, then. So, slaves should continue to serve their masters in humility, show that they can be fully trusted and in so doing, "they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive." Wow. Paul's goal here seems to be more about living out a sincere, authentic faith before the world than in any personal piety or in following rules and laws. Maybe he gets to the part about infant baptism or the pre-millenial kingdom in this last part? Let's see:

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." - Titus 2:11-14

Whoa. Now Paul has started to jack up the whole idea of Grace too. Here he says that Grace teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions. I thought Grace was there to give us a pass when we say "Yes" to our worldly passions. Right? Hmm...maybe not. Again, Paul seems to teach here that Grace empowers us to live out the Sound Doctrine of living self-controlled, upright and godly lives.

"These, then, are the things you should teach." - Titus 2:15

Really? Well....ok, then. Let's all start teaching "Sound Doctrine" as Paul outlines it for us here. We are called to teach one another to live simple, humble, godly lives of service, love, compassion and integrity before one another and to the world around us. How? By the power of Grace that "teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions."

If our churches today would major on sound doctrine like this and not divide over stupid disagreements about the return of Christ, or over doctrines of tongues or the rapture, or predestination, or any other superficial topic, we might actually live out true sound doctrine as Paul describes.

Disputes over doctrines come because we allow them to become more important to us than our unity in Christ.

What is it makes us one? Christ! Not our agreements about infant baptism, or freewill, or pre-millenialism, or the King James Bible. None of that. The only thing that makes us one is Christ, and He is more than enough.

-kg

*MORE VERSES ON BEHAVIOR AS SOUND DOCTRINE:

"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you." (John 13:14-15 ESV)

"Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. (1 Corinthians 10:11 ESV)
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us." (Philippians 3:17 ESV)

"What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:9 ESV)

"And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia." (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 ESV)

"For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate." (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 ESV)

"But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life." (1 Timothy 1:16 ESV)

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12 ESV)

"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7 ESV)

"Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God." (3 John 1:11 ESV)

"...not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:3 ESV)

8 comments:

Beth said...

Keith, WOW. Thanks for this GREAT article on sound doctrine. I agree wholeheartedly. This is such a powerful truth that needs to be shared! I'll do my part by linking it to my FB and Twitter! :) Again, thanks for writing this. Blessings!

John S Wilson III said...

excellent post Keith! Amazing how "correct" or "sound" "doctrine" is what it was supposed to be: healthy teaching, helping the body to be healthy in its life together in Christ versus living by legalism and institutionalism. Love it brother!

Chris Jefferies said...

I agree with Beth and John. That is an awesome post and deserves to be widely read. Gets my vote :-)

http://jesus.scilla.org.uk

agrogers said...

Good article but i think the definition may be a little narrow. 2Jn talks 'doctrine of Christ' and to not entertain those who don't hold it. Hebrews 6 talks about doctrine which and then lists a few fundamental ones that we all should be able to move on from... like eternal judgement. Of course that is a controversial one but given its foundational nature could be argued as very important.

Michael said...

Paul wonderfully address' s from Titus how we are to go on in sound doctrine. Paul Also said , "I am all things to all people for the sake of the gospel". His instruction in both allows not for man centered doctrines with wide roads, alias limited sovereignty from God, and sufficiently from Jesus Christ. Keith I like most of your perspective , however we know that God has not given grace to allow for the removal of the moral law either as some I believe will take away from your article. It is impertinent to as Paul is doing represent the whole of the gospel, God's Word, and grace. Thank you, you have given me a new perspective to speak from! As Ravi Says, "the worldview is not what we see, but what we see with"! Again, our audience has been affected by legalism, liberalism, Gnostics , idol tries, and the wiles of man center ness since the Garden. Michael

Lollie Pop said...

Thank you so much for this!!!

Wesley said...

This is my favorite post anywhere on the web for 2016! I read 1 Timothy this morning and the message was identical, chapter emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine as opposed to senseless genealogies and the law and chapters 2 through 5 lay out what it is (ie godly living).

Thanks for this, it was a real eye opener and I'm going to share it in our house church tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

I love this so much.
Here is a take I put together a few years ago.
Guide to living a wonderful life:

Practice Love - 1 Corinthians 13:
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, It keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, Always perseveres.
Love never fails.

The Result of Practicing Love - Galatians 5:22
The fruit of the Spirit is Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, Faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

To Maintain it - Philippians 4:8
Finally… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - If anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

How do we do all this?
Worship God and Enjoy Him forever