I was just thinking about a statement made by a golfer the other day. He said, “Preacher, I like going to church, but I don’t like hearing doctrine all the time!” Now, do not be shocked. He is not the only one who feels that way. The apostle Paul warned about such attitudes two thousand years ago. He wrote, “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” (II Tim. 4:3-4 NIV1984).
What is Wrong with Biblical Doctrine?
As a minister of the gospel for 61 years, I have learned quite a lot about the doctrine from God’s Word. I am more of a teacher than a preacher, although there is only a very fine line of difference between the two perspectives. In all my studies, I have found that the Bible is God’s Book of Doctrine. To Him it is important, and it should be to us as well.
There is nothingwrong with sound doctrine, and everything is right about it. Biblical doctrine is the core of everything we know about God, Christ, salvation, righteous living and everlasting life. But in the eyes of those who are “departing the truth,” doctrine reveals their shortcomings, their failures to see the Bible as God’s Word but market it as outdated fables.
What is Right About Sound Doctrine?
There is a reason that the Bible has stood the test of time. God planned for it to be our guidebook, our life map and the instruction manual for living for Him. Sound doctrine presents the core beliefs that God has instilled in mankind for centuries. Biblical doctrine, when properly taught, presents to us the very things God wants us to know about His will, His plan, His Son and His people.
When Bible teachers present sound doctrine, they use the Scriptures to reveal who God is and why He cares about us. Sound doctrine does not change from generation to generation. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matt. 24:35).
Recognizing When Doctrine is not Sound
Today, we can see and hear corrupted doctrine. Preachers and teachers stand before groups regularly and put their own “twist” on what they teach. My friends, opinion is not doctrine! None of us has the authority to twist the Scriptures to fit our personal beliefs that are apart from what the Bible teaches. Those who teach doctrine contrary to the Bible have departed from the faith. Yet again, God knew that and warned of such in His Word. Peter warned, “First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires” (II Peter 3:3).
By the way, the Bible was not written solely for the apostolic age. It has been prepared for us who live in the last days before Jesus returns. The Apostle Paul provided continuity regarding what Peter wrote: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them” (II Tim. 3:1-5). These passages are part of the sound doctrine of the Word of God!
