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Theology
A Network of Doctrines
July 2, 2016
Copyright © 1996, 2016, Ronald W. Leigh
There are at least three ways to look at the doctrines of biblical Christianity:
- as a network of many interrelated ideas
- as a logical structure built on a foundation
- as a vital message with a specific, important truth at its heart
A. The network
Below is an attempt to show the interconnected nature of the 17 selected doctrines, plus apologetics and hermeneutics. Only certain obvious connections are shown.
B. The foundation
Among all these doctrines, which ones form the basis for the others? The foundation is two-fold: The existence of God, and the truth of the Bible. These two beliefs are absolutely necessary to every other belief within biblical Christianity, and they are the dual subject of all apologetics (the defense of the faith).
Logical structure can be pictured in various ways, but a building block diagram can show the structure effectively, such as this Chart of Logical Relationships.
C. The heart
When you think of all the beliefs and doctrines of biblical Christianity, where should the focus be? What is the key idea that distinguishes biblical Christianity from imitations of Christianity and other religions? Which truth is so central and so important that it needs to be stated most emphatically and most often? In answering these questions we do not have to figure it out ourselves, for scripture tells us repeatedly what our focus should be.
The wrong approach
Unfortunately, Millard Erickson (an otherwise excellent conservative theologian) gives the following advice to young theologians. In a section entitled "The Method of Theology" he says:
It is not always necessary for individual Christians to formulate a basic central characterization of their theology. Frequently, however, this is helpful. Sometimes this motif reflects one's denomination. For example, some persons of the Reformed tradition stress the sovereignty of God, whereas some Lutherans emphasize the grace of God and the role of faith. The way in which we characterize our theology is often related to our own personality and background. (Millard Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine, 2nd ed., Baker Academic, 2001, p. 22)
In contrast, whatever motif we stress it should come from scripture, not from our denomination or personal background.
The right approach
The right approach is to listen to the Apostle Paul when he explains what message (motif) he considered key.
1 Corinthians 15
1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.
2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, …
1 Corinthians 2
1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power,
5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
This is the gospel – the message of the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ. He took the punishment, not for his sins, but for our sins. Then he rose again, verifying his divine identity (Romans 1:4).
Remember that:
- This message is described by Paul as the "power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16)
- This is the message about which Paul said "Pray that I may proclaim it clearly" (Colossians 4:3-4) Evangelism should not be defined as producing converts, but as clearly proclaiming the gospel message. Leave the "pressure" up to the Holy Spirit.
- This message cannot be altered. A different message, from any source, is to be condemned (Galatians 1:8-9).
IMPORTANT: This message requires a response from the person hearing it:
- Receive (1 Corinthians 15:1)
- Faith (= trust) (1 Corinthians 2:5)
- Repentance, which always joins genuine faith (see Matthew 3:1; 4:17; 11:20; Mark 6:12; Acts 2:38; 17:30; 26:20). Also see the papers Faith: Definitions and Misconceptions and Salvation Then and Now).
ONE FINAL THOUGHT: Good news (the gospel) can be presented in a shallow form, or in a complete form. In a shallow statement of the gospel, sin may even be left out of the picture. In a more complete statement of the gospel, not only is sin included ("Christ died for our sins"), but the nature of the punishment for sin (spiritual death, that is, separation from God) is also explained. This is an important key which helps people understand how salvation works – how Christ, who was spiritually separated from God the Father (Matthew 27:46), took the punishment we deserve. (See the discussion of "Levels of Completeness" in Effective Christian Ministry, chapter 12.)