For more than a decade, I have been examining books of special interest to Christians. Although the vast majority of titles I have reviewed are solid works based on biblical principles, I am much better known for these occasional reviews of the worst books in the world. Christian world. Unfortunately, books that teach the worst are often the ones that sell the most.
I don’t like writing these reviews, in part, because they have a lot of impact; but mostly because I think I write them very sadly. It is painful to witness the generalized theological ignorance of the Church exposed by the popularity of these books. Because Christians are not trained in sound doctrine, they wholeheartedly accept error, often finding it more satisfying than the truth revealed by God.
- There are many reasons why ignorance permeates the church today.
- For decades.
- Christians have focused on the needs felt and not on doctrinal truth.
- We focus on applicable topical sermons immediately rather than a verse-by-verse display that clarifies the whole truth of God’s entire Word; we fail to catechist our children.
- Building on them a solid and systematic foundation for their faith; we insist on Christianity as a relationship with God at the expense of Christianity as a defined body of truth.
- We focus on feelings kept on facts.
- We try to make Christianity acceptable.
- Making it simplistic.
If the Christian faith is much more than facts, much more than doctrines, it can never be less. Christianity depends on the truths taught by the Word of God and received by the people of God. Every Christian has the responsibility to learn sound doctrine, to be educated in the truth to discern error. Here are three ways God has given us to train ourselves in sound doctrine.
Each Christian is individually responsible for studying sound doctrine and learning it for himself. Paul said to Timothy, “As you expose these things to your brethren, will you be a good minister of Christ Jesus, formed by the words of faith and good doctrine you have followed?(1 Tim 4. 6, author version). Paul wanted Timothy to know that this training would be a difficult job: “Are you trying to present yourself approved of God, as a worker who doesn’t have to be ashamed, who handles the word of truth well?”(2 Tim 2,15).
To know the sound doctrine, we must know the Word of God, because all Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, educating justice, so that the man of God may be perfect and perfectly qualified for everything. Good job? (2 Timothy 3: 16-17). Every Christian should read, study, and know the Bible and the truth it contains. King David exemplifies an appropriate love for the Word of God when he exclaims, “How much I love your law!Is it my meditation all day?” (Sal. 119. 97) Day and night, read the Bible, learned the Bible, and applied it to his life.
Christian, you must know the truth of the Christian faith; and to know the truth of the Christian faith, you must know the Bible; you must sit under the teaching of God’s Word every week in the local church. the habit of reading the Bible regularly and consistently, examining the Word, meditating on the Word, and making sure you respect it. You have access to countless resources to help you—books, comments, and websites that will help you understand, accept, and apply the truths of God’s Word. Dedicate your life to the search for sound doctrine through a serious commitment to the Word of God.
Every Christian is responsible for knowing and personally accepting sound doctrine. All Christian parents are equally responsible for teaching sound doctrine at home. Moses commanded him from the beginning when he said, “These words which I command thee today shall be in thy heart; He will teach them to his children and talk about them as he sits at home, walking the path, lying down and getting up. You’ll also tie them up as a sign in your hand, and they’ll be in your eyes for you. And you’ll write them on the doorsteps of your house and on your doorstep?(Deut 6. 6-9). Parents have a serious responsibility, given by God, to teach the Word to their children. This involves reading the Bible to your children, but also explaining it in an age-appropriate manner and applying it to specific situations.
We see this beautifully illustrated in young Timothy. Paul congratulated Timothy’s mother and grandmother on the way they raised the child to know, understand, and appreciate the Word of God. Paul might have said, “You remain in what you have learned and learned from, knowing from whom you have learned it, and that as a child you know the sacred letters, what can make you wise for salvation by faith in Jesus Christ?(2 Timothy 3. 14-15). Timothy has had the invaluable privilege of spending his whole life. life is taught in the Word and the sound doctrine it contains.
Parents, it is your solemn responsibility to teach your children in the Word of God and in his doctrine; familiarize your children with the Word, the story it contains, and the characters it describes; but also be sure to familiarize them with their sound standard. Doctrine. Enjoy the many devotions, beliefs and catechisms that Christians have created precisely for this purpose. Let your kids know the truth.
Just as parents have a responsibility to teach sound doctrine at home, pastors have a responsibility to teach sound doctrine in the church. As Paul writes to his companions Tite and Timothy, he asks them to teach the sound doctrine, keep it faithfully, and ensure its preservation. , entrusting it to others (Titus 2. 2; 2Nd 1. 13, 2. 2) Did Paul himself teach sound doctrine by educating believers, publicly and also from home to home?(At 8:20 p. m. ). In public and private ministry, in large groups, and in small groups, Paul actively taught people the main truths of the Bible. Paul’s most solemn request was for Timothy to preach the Word and all its truth:?I entrust you, before God and Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, by their manifestation and by their kingdom: to preach the word, to exhort, whether appropriate or not, to correct, to rebuke, to exhort with all patience and doctrine?(2 Timothy 4. 1-2) .
But it is not only pastors who carry the brunt of formation in sound doctrine. Every member of the church must be rooted in the truth. Paul commanded all the believers of Colossus 😕 The word of Christ dwells abundantly in you; Learn and counsel each other wisely?God provided other believers in the local church to warn us in a sound doctrine and to protect us from turning away from it.
When Paul preached the word to the Jews of Beea, did they receive it with a greeting, examining the scriptures every day to see if things were really like this?(At 5:11 p. m. ). Similarly, all Christians are called to try everything according to the scriptures; it is a noble call in the eyes of God.
Exercising yourself in a sound doctrine cannot be done without diligence; However, even when we use all the means God has given us, training in sound doctrine cannot be done overnight, requiring small daily morning investments in private studies, family worship nights, and weekly fidelity to meet with the church. Over time, these small seeds of formation will bear the fruit of justice.
Christian, start practicing sound doctrine today. Make daily loyalty investments in private, with your family, and with your church. In this way, he will be “trained for all good work,” ready to support God’s immutable truth and reject every earthly doctrine.