Why Doctrine Matter?

Growing up in Reformed Tradition, I was told that the doctrine is essential. The Reformed doctrine of Original sin, Predestination, God's sovereignty are inevitable to be confessed. We may say, "amen" and no more discussion afterwards or we may ask, "Why doctrine matter?" Why don't just Christian study and concern more into practical matter? I venture to argue that Christian need to know, on why they need to study doctrine in the first place. Of course, studying doctrine is not for the sake of self-understanding but more importantly, to help others, whose mind was boggled with the fiery question on why doctrine matters. Basically, doctrine is a body of teachings that has been systematized, compacted and articulated from the symphonic voices of the authoritative sacred text. N.T Wright picture doctrine as-like a suitcase, a portable which filled with Biblical verses. So from Wright 's metaphore is clear, doctrine must be Biblical.

The basic function of the doctrine in its earlier day is to be a yard-stick (rule of faith) to measure and  to present the distinctiveness of one belief, that is differ from the other counter-parts. Without doctrine being formulated, there is no clear distinction between heresy and  the orthodoxy, the essential and non-essential.

       Jesus Himself in His ministry concern about the right teachings, as he correcting people thought about God, and directing them to the truth through His teachings, continuously. Apostle Paul in Romans 12:2 articulate the importance of doctrine as well as he urged Christians to be renewed in their mind. Commenting on  Romans 12:2, Arch Biship D.A Miller poignantly expresses, 

"The Greek verb for transformed is "Metamorpho", which means to undergo a spiritual transformation in thought, to change your thinking from human viewpoint to divine viewpoint. Being transformed denotes what habitually occurs when the believer is constantly positive toward Bible doctrine and transfers that doctrine from the page of the Word of God  into the soul and the human spirit"

Alister McGrath an Irish Theologian also claims the inevitability of the doctrine for Christian. He argues boldly that the significance of Jesus can only be spelled out, through the help of doctrine. It is doctrine that shows that Jesus is not mere man, but has divine authority in his words and deeds. Moreover, there is a common misunderstanding around in the field that doctrine has in no way related to any practical matters. This is an erroneous thought for If there is no practical related to doctrine to be thinketh of, at least, it is still practical to one mind for better or worst. In fact, we cannot separate doctrine with practice. The doctrine is like a measurement to check whether our thought and actions are in line with each other. Moreover, as famous dictum says, without right belief, there will be no right attitude. Without good doctrine, it is impossible to form a good ethics. William Temple, in his writings against the so called, 'Religion Without Dogma' (1941) mentioned:

"You would hardly find theologian now who supposes that Christian ethics can survive for half of century in detachment from Christian doctrine... "

Thus, doctrine may seems to be theoretical in it outset yet, it is essentially practical in its implications. Furthermore, one of  the highlight  from the function of doctrine that we cannot  undermine is that doctrine is the safe-guard of faith, especially when things around appear to be absurd. As history told us, when the nation of Israel were in the exile or in a troubling situation, their faith were  eroded, being shaken to the core. Nonetheless, the notion of God as the sovereign God, God as the covenant keeper, the notion of  God as Warrior and judge, the notion of eschatology and future restoration are the the things that  kindle their faith alive.  Although situation is uncertain at the moment, the firm knowledge of doctrine help Christian to trust on What God has done in history that had been revealed through the Sacred Scripture, articulated in the form of doctrine. Doctrine catches and formulated myriad testimonies of the acts of God in the past, and hence provide the assurance and hope to go forward in the future, 'I do not know why this happened but from what I know, God is good and He is in control'. Without the knowledge of doctrine per se, people's faith is very fragile that is why I think Ravi Zacharias aptly says, "the foundation  on which you build your life is the only thing that will stand when the storm or life ultimately comes."

Of course, the foundation of Christianity that we should build must centered upon the person of Jesus Christ, extended to us through the media like doctrine. Thus, Contrary to what many says says, actually doctrine does not make things worse but better, at least, when people are doubting at the truthfulness of the doctrine because of the agony they faces in their live  but the good thing is, they will rather enter the struggle mode and not despair mode. They began to question their faith rather than giving up their faith. And more delightful, through this constant struggle and apparent conflict between the knowledge of firm doctrine and the fickleness of life, one will surely grow.