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The next several “Bible” posts will be excerpts from my study of and sermon prepared using 2 Tim 2:14-18. This study had such an impact on how I will approach the Bible for the rest of my life, that I can’t imagine hiding it on my hard drive. I hope that you all enjoy it and are effected by it like I was.

A study of the approach to and use of Scripture needs to start with a definition. The term we typically use for the product of our study of Scripture is doctrine. But think about it. What does that word mean? We all spend hours discussing daily study in the Word. We go to church each week hearing the output of our pastor’s study of Scripture, but can you clearly state the definition of the output of that study. What is the ‘doctrine’ that you’re learning?

A second source of confusion lies in what we do with that information after we study it. How many times in your life have you gotten into a debate over doctrine? It’s one thing to debate with someone seeking or a non-believer about doctrine, but we debate doctrine all the time with each other. Is that a Biblical practice? Should we be doing this?

Well…we have to know what Biblical Doctrine is, to answer those questions.

Webster defines doctrine as “something that is taught” or “a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief”

A bible is defined by Webster as the a publication that is preeminent especially in authoritativeness or wide readership.

In Biblical terms, the Scriptures are the only authoritative revelation of God, breathed out by God (1 Tim 3:16), to man, so that we may KNOW who He is and be thoroughly equipped for every good work, most beautifully manifested through a saving relationship with His Son Jesus (sorry, that’s a bit wordy…You try to define Scripture).

Let’s combine those to define Biblical Doctrine.

Biblical Doctrine is simply the summary teaching of Scripture about a specific topic, so that we may be equipped.

So, when we hear the term, “doctrine of salvation” or “doctrine of sin” or “doctrines of grace”, we are simply saying that this is the summary of what God tells us about Himself as it relates to salvation, sin, or grace.

There are huge implications to the believer with this definition. We love Doctrine. We cherish Doctrine, because we love and cherish God. Doctrine is the single most wonderful gift that we can have from God. We will spend eternity engulfed in nothing else. Smedly Yates said it best in his sermon on Heaven saying, “the infinite desires to be known by the finite.” He goes on to tell us, that the reality of heaven is that we will spend eternity learning, but will never exhaust the riches of who God is; “God desires to be known by finite creatures.”

We will spend eternity learning about God. We have an opportunity here on earth to learn about God. Doctrine…is…paramount…

Also, and listen to this one closely. There is no such thing as false doctrine! Let me say that again, because this is a major paradigm shift. There is no such thing as false doctrine. This seems like a minor point to make or like I’m just focusing on semantics, but I will prove in upcoming posts that it means everything to God!

From now on, if you see the term False Doctrine think: these are lies that cloak themselves in a coat of doctrine

Whoa…Matt. That sounds harsh, angry, and negative. It sounds like you’re going to offend someone if you call false doctrine lies. Aren’t there two sides to every coin? Isn’t unity more important than information?

Think about it.  I hope to answer these questions or support my position and I’ll start next week in 2 Timothy 2.