www.cg: Love and Doctrine

LOVE AND DOCTRINE

by Richard Burkard

"God is love - He's not doctrine."

Do you agree with that quote, or disagree? I first heard it from a Local Elder in the Worldwide Church of God several years ago - and it challenged me. Somehow, it didn't sound quite right. And it led me to ask: do you have to choose between love and doctrine, to determine whether you are a "real Christian?"

This sentence is really a two-part statement. Let's take those parts one at a time:

"GOD IS LOVE." This part is true. I John 4:8 says so: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." The point is repeated in verse 16, so there is no doubt. Jesus went further, saying: "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)

"HE'S NOT DOCTRINE." Admittedly, the Bible has no verse saying specifically, "God is doctrine" - but hold on a minute. Does this mean God doesn't care about doctrine at all? Let's look at several Scriptures to see.

In Matthew 22:33, we read about the reaction to one of Jesus's teachings: "When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching." The King James says, "They were astonished at his doctrine." The Greek word translates roughly as "instruction." In this case, the instruction concerned the resurrection from the dead.

This was not the first time Jesus left a crowd stunned in this way. Earlier in Matthew, we read: "The people were astonished at his doctrine...." (Matt. 7:28, KJV) This is written at the end of the "Sermon on the Mount." What doctrine was addressed here? There was a section on love (Mt. 5:43-47) - but other topics were mentioned as well, such as prayer, fasting, divorce, adultery and how to discern true and false prophets.

(We could even go farther back in the life of Jesus, to Matthew 4:1-11. Ask yourself: how did He win the showdown with Satan? Did Christ use love - or the teachings of the Scriptures?)

After Jesus showed His love for us by dying on the cross - then rising from the dead - what did the new believers of the early church focus on? "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42) "Teaching" once again is translated by the KJV as "doctrine." Certainly the believers participated in acts of love, such as the ones listed in verses 45-46, but their devotion involved doctrine.

What brought persecution on the first-century Church a few years after Jesus's death? Was it the way they loved each other? Acts 4:1-2 suggests a different reason: "The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead." The apostles eventually were called before the Sanhedrin, and commanded "not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus." (v. 18)

But the former disciples of Jesus wouldn't stop. They couldn't stop, since Jesus had given them a commission to fulfill in terms of preaching the gospel. So before long, they were back before the Sanhedrin, for a "dressing down" by the high priest. "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name.... Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching...." (Acts 5:27-28) If love was the problem, the high priest apparently didn't say so.

But wait!, you might say. Wasn't the doctrine of the apostles expressed in acts of love? That's a good point. Peter and John were used by Jesus to heal a crippled beggar (Acts 3:1-10). They performed other "miraculous signs and wonders," which attracted a growing number of believers (5:12-16). But if you say that, then by extension you have to agree with the central point of this article. As former President Bill Clinton might put it:

"Acts of love" versus "Christian doctrine" is a false choice.

If you stopped to analyze any number of church denominations or congregations, I suspect you'd find a leaning toward one option or the other. It could be argued the "old Worldwide Church of God" was heavy on doctrine, and light on the love of God. Some people who left the WCG completely indicate they felt this way, based on the actions of certain ministers. Perhaps, however, they were caught in a trap mentioned in Hebrews 13:9 -- "Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings."

Yet others might argue the "new WCG" has steered some people all the way to the other side of the road. They're now so heavily into love that they're lacking in doctrine. It can be easy to forget that grace is itself a doctrine. Paul points out: "....Though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted." (Rom. 6:17; note the context of vs. 15-18) Note also II John 9-10, which reminds believers to stay close to the "teaching of Christ."

Paul gave Timothy at one point a list of rather shameful actions: the killing of mothers and fathers, murder in general, adultery, perversion, slave trading, lying and perjuring - then added these words: "....And for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God...." (I Tim. 1:9-11) The context here is (uh oh) God's law. Paul seems to say the Gospel, the Law and sound doctrine actually can go hand-in-hand!

Paul goes on to advise this young minister: "....Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in purity" - so yes, love is important, BUT - "....Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching." (I Tim. 4:12-13) As the KJV says: "Give attendance.... to doctrine...." Note what Paul adds in verse 16: "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." So doctrine actually can bring salvation!

Paul warned Timothy later, in a final note from prison: "Preach the Word.... correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.... They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." (II Tim. 4:1-4) The advice seems clear: Timothy should teach what is doctrinally proper concerning God.

Paul went on to write Titus concerning a church overseer: "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine...." (Tit. 1:9) Yes, doctrine can actually be encouraging to people! Paul then proceeds to put the two "choices" together: "You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be.... sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women.... Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children...." (2:1-4)

To its credit, some leaders of the Worldwide Church of God have tried to emphasize a balance between love and doctrine. In an August 1998 Worldwide News "Personal," Pastor-General Joseph Tkach wrote:

Clearly, doctrine is important in the church. We need solid teaching, based on accurate study of Scripture. We do not need anyone's pet theories, but teaching that has been tested against the ideas of other faithful Christians...

Many Christians come to a knowledge of Christ and accept him - and that is good, so far as it goes - but many do not grow much in grace and knowledge. Doctrine is important - and the Christian world's lack of biblical knowledge is a serious need.

These words promote a balance in what the church teaches, and how we look at the Bible.

Have you been growing in love in the church you attend? Good! Keep at it - but don't throw the Bible and doctrine away in the process.

Have you been doctrinally strong in the church you attend? Good! Keep at it - but don't ignore the admonition to perform acts of love, which will identify you as a Christian.

And as you strive for this balance of love and doctrine, may you fulfill what Paul describes in Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

To respond to this article, e-mail: rburkard@yahoo.com

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