Introduction...continued

The Doctinal Effect

To understand the doctrinal effect we must first define doctrine

W. E. Vine (4) defines doctrine as teaching either a) that which is taught or b) the act of teaching.

Looking only at (a) that which is taught.

Doctrine is a neutral word in as much as the teaching can be either good or evil, hence the emphasis on sound doctrine.

2 Tim 4:3-4 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Titus 1:9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Titus 2:1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.

The significance of doctrine

What we believe is important because it has a direct relationship to and influence over what we do.

We enter a dark room - we feel for the light switch because we believe that if we flick the switch the room will be filled with light. We get in a car and take a certain route to work maybe because we believe that route will get us there quickest. What we believe affects our everyday life in so many ways. It also affects our spiritual life.

We pray because we believe that God hears and answers our prayers. We forgive others because we believe that God in his mercy has forgiven us of so much more. I could go on but I think you would agree that what we believe affects our whole life and that one belief by necessity affects other beliefs. We do not believe anything in isolation.

A.A. Hodge (5) "The doctrines of the Bible are not isolated but interlaced; and the view of one doctrine must necessarily affect the view taken of another."

Therefore it is important that the doctrine we follow is full and sound

Joseph Irons (5) said, "Let us embrace the whole truth, or renounce Christianity altogether".

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