Doctrine - Who Cares?

Westminster Abbey in London

     I had a long and interesting talk with a friend the other day.  We frequently get into discussions over spiritual issues, and I wish i could say I agree with her position.  However, there are times when I am troubled by the comments she makes.  The other day she told me that it didn't matter if she went to church or not.  She had a relationship with God and that is all she needed.  She could go to any church and feel right at home.  For her, doctrine did not matter because if we believe in Jesus Christ that is all that is necessary.  She was tired of the disputing over various ideas put forth by denominations.
     When we parted company, I was saddened by her position which I have encountered many times over the years.  People so easily say, "It doesn't matter what you believe so long as you believe in Jesus." But the question that comes to my mind is what DO you believe about Jesus?  This is what doctrine teaches us, and understanding the foundations of our faith are critical to growth in Christ.  It DOES matter what you believe.

The Church of the Holy Ghost in Heidelberg, Germany

     In Webster's "American Dictionary of the English Language (1828), we find this definition of doctrine:  "In a general sense, whatever is taught.  Hence a principle or position in any science; whatever is laid down as true by an instructor or master. The doctrines of the gospel are the principles or truths taught by Christ and His apostles.....Instruction and confirmation in the truths of the gospel" (pg 65).  Based on this definition, I wonder, then, how can we be instructed in the things which Christ and the Apostles taught if we are not affiliated with a body of believers?  For it is within the body, that we find Pastor/teachers who preach the Gospel to us, Sunday school classes and Bible studies where we can gain insight and find stimulation and fellow believers who will hold us accountable for our actions.  Being isolated from the fellowship of other believers and trying to hear God on our own puts us at a disadvantage.  The Apostle Paul wrote these words in his letter to the Romans:  "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  How then will they believe in Him in whom they have not heard?  And how will they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14 - New Am. Standard)
      Within the pages of the Bible, we have the fullness of God's counsel.  The words of truth form the doctrine of our faith which is critical knowledge for the Christian.  To say, "It doesn't matter what people believe as long as they believe in Jesus" is naive at best and at worst, makes us a target for Satan.  According to another letter which Paul wrote to Timothy, we read:  "Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth" ( 2 Timothy 2:15).  In the same letter Paul goes on to write this about the Bible and hence the doctrine found in the Bible:  "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for gaining in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16).
Paul makes it clear that we are to study the Word of God and handle it carefully, but we also need to recognize that it is powerful in our lives.  While studying the Bible on our own is important, we also must gather together in corporate worship which will help us stay the course and keep on the right track.

The pulpit in the Church of the Holy Ghost

     Unfortunately, today there are a number of churches that no longer spend time teaching both children and adults the doctrines of the faith.  Instead, they have replaced sound teaching with "feel good" philosophy".  Some have put aside the great Confessions of the faith as well as the catechisms which help to organize the basic doctrines of the faith as found in the Bible.  Is it any wonder that many believers today do not have a clear understanding of what their church teaches or believes?  So how can we remedy this problem?
     Of course, sound preaching and teaching in our fellowships is key.  This is where our faith can clearly be expounded.  We may also wish to return to some of the practices of early believers who used a two year period of discipling new believers before they were allowed to join the church.  When they came into fellowship, these Christians understood and knew what they believed.  Church membership was more important to them and they looked forward to their time of fellowship with others.  Finally, we, as believers, need to take time to be students of God's Word absorbing the doctrines of Christ.
     There is no greater reward than the study of our faith (doctrines).  When we do this in the context of fellowship, we will come to understand more quickly the grace of our Lord that saved us.  Doctrine (our belief system) does matter and so does church fellowship.  May we be found faithful in both.  Selah!


Share your thoughts here.  I welcome your comments.

Come Meet Argula von Grumbach and Elizabeth of Braunschweig

     I have contributed to a writing project on the Women of the Reformation which has been going on for over a week.  The stories of these wonderful....and obscure....women which most of us have never heard of will encourage your soul.
     Today, I shared the story of Argula von Grumbach and Elizabeth of Braunsweig.  These two contemporary German women impacted their families and their countrymen with their contributions to the Reformation.  I hope you will visit Heavenly Springs the website of Christina Langella to read the story I wrote and also read the other stories presented by other writers.  You will be blessed and amazed as you read along.  We all make a difference.  God has created us for His glory and He uses our lives in ways we often do not realize fully.
     Simply click on the picture of the Reformation Women on the left side of my blog and it will take you to Christina's website where you will find what I and others have been writing.  May we continue to encourage one another all the more as we say the day of the Lord's return drawing closer.  Selah!

Prayer Makes a Difference

A place of prayer in the Cathedral of Lincoln

     If I were to name my favorite prayer closet, it would have to be my car for this is where I seem to be away from outside interruptions as I drive to my destination (don't worry, I keep my eyes open).  This was the place that I encountered the presence of God so clearly yesterday.  Lately, I have been heavily grieved and burdened in my heart over several things not the least of which is the ongoing struggle our grandson is having with seizures.  Daily I have spent time talking to God about these heartaches, but yesterday was different.
     My son had called me up with the news that our grandson was traveling to All Children's Hospital due to some congestion and concern about the seizures.  He was taking care of two year old Briggs and baby Beckett, so he suggested we have dinner together since I was also alone (my husband was away at an education meeting).  I happily packed up some easy to fix things and hopped in my car to make the twenty minute drive to his home.
     On the way, I began once again to talk with the Lord about the burdens in my heart.  However, this time, I told Him I just needed to feel His arms around me and His grace and comfort.  I told Him that I knew He was the only one who could give me peace in the middle of many uncertainties.  Perhaps, I was more honest with the Lord of my life than I had ever been before as I sought His wisdom and understanding.  As I drove along, the sun came out from behind a cloud, and at that moment while I was praying, I felt the presence of the Lord in a way that comforted me, gave me peace and assured me of His continued guidance.  What a prayer session and time of fellowship with the Lord!  I felt refreshed, blessed, and encouraged as I talked with Him.
     Often times, we can get into a rut with our prayer lives forgetting that we are in the presence of our Holy God.  We may mumble a "hello" in the morning and at bedtime, just like we accuse teens of doing when their mind is somewhere else, but this is not what prayer is meant to be.  Scripture gives us help when it comes to prayer, and offers us guidance as we talk with the Lord.
     First and foremost, prayer is not a once a day practice, but according to the Word, we are to pray without ceasing.  Paul writes on several occasions about this.  In his letter to the believers in Ephesus, he writes:  "Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty.  To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding on behalf of all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18 Amplified version).  Then again in I Thessalonians 5:17, he writes:  "Be unceasingly in prayer [praying perseveringly]."  Finally, to the Colossians, he writes:  "Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2 Amplified Bible).  If this were not an important characteristic of prayer, Paul would not have repeated this exhortation so many times.  As God's children, we are meant to be in communication with Him not once or twice but unceasingly as the Apostle wrote in his letters.

Another prayer chapel where people could
light a candle and pray in Lincoln Cathedral

     Secondly, when we do not know what to pray or how to say it, we have a helper that makes clear to our heavenly Father just what needs to be said.  In his letter to the Roman Christians, Paul writes:  "So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance" (Romans 8:26 Amplified Bible).  We can rest in the knowledge that the Holy Spirit is able to bring to the Father our requests.  Certainly, I struggle for words at times not knowing what to say, but the Holy Spirit is ever present as our Helper.
     Finally, prayer changes us.  In Acts 4, the disciples were warned not to preach in the name of Jesus.  However, they didn't react by asking God to change their circumstances, but instead they asked that the Lord would "...grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word...." (Acts 4:29).  These men believed that as they spoke with boldness telling about the Lord Jesus Christ many more miracles would be done.  Certainly, they would face more difficulties as a result of their speaking, but they wanted God to give them the boldness rather than change the circumstances.
     Another example of God changing us through prayer is found in the life of the Apostle Paul.  We know that Paul suffered with some physical malady.  Paul prayed three times for his circumstances with this "thorn in the flesh" to change, but God replied "My grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).  Paul came to realize that God had allowed this thorn so that he would not be "exalted above measure" (2 Cor. 12:7).  There are times when God allows the difficult circumstances of life to remain so that we will be changed and turn to Him.  In Paul's case, pride could easily have risen up if this "thorn in the flesh" was not there.  We need to remember that it is not so important what happens to us but it is more important what happens in us.  Prayer brings about a change in our thinking, and God's goal is to conform our thinking and our lives to that of His dear Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

A quiet place to pray on our property.

     Admittedly, nothing in terms of my circumstances had changed as I drove to my son's house the other day.  However, my encounter with the Living God changed me.  I felt His peace, His loving arms around me and His presence.  It was enough.  This calmed my fears, healed my hurt and gave me encouragement to keep on keeping on.  In addition, we received word later in the evening that our grandson would not have to stay at the hospital overnight which was a blessing and an answer to prayer.
     Prayer makes a powerful difference in our lives.  It is a privilege to be able to come into the throne room of God and talk with Him.  This is what Jesus Christ made possible to all of us who are believers.  His  sacrifice upon the cross tore the veil that separated us from God.  Why would we neglect the opportunity to commune with our Creator?  He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He is available around the clock.  He doesn't put us on hold and play elevator music in our ear nor do we have to press 1 to leave a message.  Of all the communication devices we have, none compare with the connection we have with God.  Take time today and pray.  Pray without ceasing and pour out your heart to God.  He will hear and answer.  He may not change your circumstances but He will change you.  Selah!


I welcome your thoughts about prayer and what it has meant to you.  Please feel free to share here.


Please do not forget to go to "Heavenly Springs" blog by clicking on the picture to the left of the Women of the Reformation to read the wonderful stories of these women of faith.