What's the Big Deal?

And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority.

Luke 4:31-32

I have heard Christians say that they are not concerned about doctrine or theology when looking for a church. The conversation goes something like this, "I want to find a church that loves people and Jesus. Nothing else matters."  

You might even be thinking, what's the big deal? Why are doctrine and theology so important. Without proper doctrine and theology, I will submit to you are like a ship in the middle of the ocean without a rudder or engine. You may survive and even find land, but you will not know where you are heading or where or when you will get there.

Biblical Theology is the study of the Bible that seeks to discover what the biblical writers, under divine guidance, believed, described, and taught in the context of their own times. Christian doctrine simply means the beliefs held by Christians. Christian doctrine is what the entire Bible says on one particular subject. Therefore, we speak of such things as the "doctrine" of Christ, the "doctrine" of God, and the "doctrine" of the church. This all refers to what Christians believe about these subjects based upon the teaching of the Bible.

It is every Christian's responsibility to study God's Word and grow in your knowledge of Him. We accomplish this through sound theology and doctrine. Without biblical solid doctrine and theology, a church is susceptible to bad teaching at best and heretical false teaching at worse.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark