The whole subject of Christian doctrine or theology can be a sensitive and divisive one. There are different denominations of Christians who believe different things about what the Bible is teaching. Some of these differences are so stark, it is not even possible for these Churches to be in fellowship with one another. Therefore, we have different denominations. Sometimes the differences are still there, but the disagreement may only be over shades of meaning or areas of doctrine that are deemed non-essential to the Faith.
There is so much disagreement, and so many differences, that
some have recommended minimizing doctrine and theology to remove the basis for
the division and bring the Churches together without adherence to creeds or
confessions. I came from a Christian tradition that was very much in favor of
doing away with all man-made creeds and confessions and just getting back to
what the Bible teaches.
This sounds very noble on the surface but is much more
complicated in practice! The fact remains that, even without all the historic
creeds and confessions of the Church, we all still have our interpretation of
what the Bible is saying and what it means for today. We still have creeds and
confessions, even if these are not historic or written down.
And so, the problem remains. What should Christians believe?
Is there a single body or list of doctrines that all Christians everywhere must
adhere to, to be called "Christian"? What are those areas that we may
deem "non-essential" or open for debate and opinion? I think C.S.
Lewis was right when he observed that Christians not only disagree with one
another, they also disagree with one another over the importance of their
disagreements!
I cannot claim to have all the answers to these debates, all
of which go back to the very beginnings of the Church. However, I think there
is one essential guide that can keep us from going completely off the beaten
path in our doctrine.
The first guide to doctrine is to make Jesus the heart or
the center of everything. In other words, the thing that really makes Christian
doctrine unique and vital is who Jesus is and what He said and what He did.
Therefore, it becomes critical that we know who Jesus is. What does the New
Testament say about Him? We must be very particular about these points.
Do Christians believe that Jesus is just a good teacher, or
another example of a Prophet sent from God? Is it critical for Christians to
believe that Jesus is the Son of God? And what about Jesus’ death on the cross?
Why did Jesus die on the cross? Was He the victim of a tragedy of human
injustice and prejudice only? Or did Jesus die according to a Divine purpose?
Was Jesus’ death just a symbol of Divine love, or did Jesus die as a substitute
for sinners? And what happened in the resurrection? Do Christians believe in a
literal, physical resurrection of Jesus? Was the grave really empty on the
third day? And will Jesus come again? What do we mean when we say that He will “come”
again?
How we answer these questions, it seems to me, is critical to our understanding of what Christianity is. Therefore, these things are essential. Jesus is Christianity. Therefore, our doctrine about Christ must be sound and must be something that all Christians everywhere can adhere to without compromise.
All Christians everywhere have believed that Jesus is the Divine Son of God, that He died as a substitutionary atonement for sinners, and that He was physically raised from the dead and will physically return to the earth at the end of history in great power and glory. These great doctrines must be the foundation of Christian faith that binds all believers together in a common faith and confession.
