John Martignoni: Is doctrine really all that important?

Q:    Is doctrine really all that important?  I don’t like doctrinal discussions - I let others worry with that. I'm not too much on studying facts as much as studying life application. Denominations, with all of their differing doctrines, appear to be man-made to me and it gets hairy when people start to pick apart the Bible and say to live exactly by this or that.  We have Old Testament and New. But, now, more importantly, we have the Holy Spirit which guides our hearts into all the truth there is. I liken all the different denominations to the situation of the Israelites in the desert.  The 12 tribes lived in different "camps," but they crossed the Jordan as one. The differing doctrines don’t really matter that much.

A:    The problem I have with what you’re saying is that Scripture states we are to, “Love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” (Matt 22:37-38; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27). You seem to be saying that you love Him with your heart and soul, but not necessarily with your mind. Or, at the least, you seem to be saying that the “mind” part of the equation is not nearly as important to you as is the “heart” and “soul” part of the equation.     What if I said: “I’m not too big on studying how all this stuff actually applies to my life, my strength is in studying doctrine and simply knowing the truth.” Would that take you aback if I’m more concerned with the actual doctrines than with applying the doctrines? If I’m more concerned with the mind part of the command to love God, and not so much with the heart and soul part? Can I simply say, “Well, I’ll let other folks worry about the heart and soul part of loving God?”

The problem, from my point of view, is you seem to be saying that doctrinal questions are merely a secondary matter, if that, as far as you’re concerned. But, my question is: What if you’re receiving bad doctrine from others, and this bad doctrine is part of what you are trying to put into practice? Or, this bad doctrine is keeping you from putting things into practice that you should be putting into practice? Does that matter or not? Should we shuffle doctrinal questions and doctrinal discussion off into the corner and make them a secondary concern?

The real question here is: Does truth matter? Does proper interpretation of the Bible matter? If you misinterpret the Bible, and end up believing a false doctrine, could it cause separation from others and, more importantly, separation from God? Peter tells us that there are folks out there interpreting Scripture in such a way that it is leading to their destruction (2 Pet 3:16). Paul tells us that one can leave the faith by believing false doctrines (1 Tim 4:1). Pretty scary stuff.

Denominations are indeed man-made and your comment about individuals picking apart the Bible is right on target. But, you have a contradiction in your words that I don’t think you realize is there. First you state that it “gets hairy” when people start to “pick apart the Bible,” but then you say we have the Holy Spirit to guide us into all the truth. Don’t the folks who “pick apart the Bible” claim to be guided by the Holy Spirit just as you claim to be guided by the Holy Spirit? If all these people who “pick apart the Bible” are being guided by the Holy Spirit just as you are, then either the Holy Spirit isn’t too concerned about truth or, people may not be being guided by the Holy Spirit like they think they are – maybe even including you.

Regarding the different camps of the Israelites, I have heard that analogy used before to justify different denominations, but what folks seem to forget when they say such things, is that the various tribes of the Israelites did not have doctrinal differences and, just as importantly, they all answered to one leader - Moses.  Something to think about.

Thinking about doctrine…discussing doctrine…even arguing doctrine are things that Christians should readily engage in with one another.  Why?  Because doctrinal differences result in division.  If we don’t discuss our differences, and try to at least better understand why the differences exist, how can we ever overcome these divisions?

Doctrinal differences necessarily mean that someone is following Christ, and someone is following a lie.  The one who is wrong - whether it’s you or it’s me - is believing a lie, and we know who the father of all lies is, don’t we? In other words, when one believes in a false doctrine, he is believing Satan instead of Christ. Could that affect one’s salvation? Could that affect one’s relationship to his fellow man? I believe it can, and the Bible supports me on that. Doctrine is important, because truth is important, because Jesus Christ is the Truth.

So, don’t simply dismiss doctrinal disputes as not being your cup of tea, and so you’re not going to be bothered with them. Consider the arguments, research the claims, and be open to where the truth leads. That is all I ever ask of anyone.