CONTROVERSIAL!
Tricky Topics for Christians
Doctrines False and True
doctrine = teaching/instruction/what is taught
sound doctrine =
healthy (fit/complete) doctrine
It’s more than head knowledge!
Doctrine and knowledge are
more about how you live your life
(your Christian walk!).
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in
them, because if you do, you will save both yourself
and your hearers. – 1 Tim 4.16
…every good tree bears good fruit,
but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A
good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
and a bad tree cannot bear good
fruit. - Matthew 7:17-18
False teaching &
teachers
• Rejection of the narrow road
(7:13-14).
• Faith without fruit (7:15-20).
• Disobedience to the will of
the Father (7:21).
• Confidence in spiritual
experiences (7:22).
• Lack of relationship (7:23).
See 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (lack
of love).
• Weak foundation, building on
the sand (7:24-27).
Be careful not to add!
• We should be wary about adding a system
of belief to the Bible:
• Examples:
Bible + Catechism (or Papal edict)
Bible + Book of Mormon
Bible + Baptist Manual
We need to be careful
not to twist scripture.
That is, we should not
make it mean what it
doesn’t mean!
Use of scripture as proof-text
• Example: Catholics use Luke 1:46-48 and John
2:4-5 to support the veneration of Mary.
• Correction: John 2 says nothing about Mary being
above Jesus or other believers. In Luke, Mary
considers her position as that of a “servant,” and
being “blessed” in 1:48 does not mean exclusive
stature. Later in Luke 11:27-28, Jesus comments
that those who hear and obey God’s word are
“blessed” as well! Check 1 Timothy 2:5-6 to see
that one should only pray to Jesus, the one and
only Mediator.
Use of scripture as proof-text
Luke 1:46 And Mary said:
47
48
49
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
Use of scripture as proof-text
• Luke 11:27-28 As Jesus was saying these
things, a woman in the crowd called out,
“Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and
nursed you.”
• He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear
the word of God and obey it.”
Disregard for idiom
• Example: Ang Dating Daan insist that Malachi
1:11 is proof that God will be glorified first in the
east and then the west (directional “from”). The
Philippines (“east”) is instrumental in bringing
greatness to God’s name.
• Correction: The literal expression “from the rising
to the setting of the sun” simply means from “east
to west,” i.e. the breadth of the world or
“everywhere.” See Isaiah 45:5-6 (cf. 59:19,
Ezekiel 48:1) for similar usage. The east is never
highlighted.
Disregard for idiom
My name will be great among the nations, from
where the sun rises to where it sets. In every
place incense and pure offerings will be brought
to me, because my name will be great among the
nations,” says the LORD Almighty. – Malachi
1:11
Disregard for idiom
I am the LORD, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,
so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting
people may know there is none besides me.
– Isaiah 45:5-6
Jesus’ point on matters of the law
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and
Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of
your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you
have neglected the more important matters of
the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You
should have practiced the latter, without
neglecting the former. – Matt 23.23
Some things are weightier than others!
Doctrine has different ‘levels’
(Levels of Importance)
PERIPHERAL
IMPORTANT
CORE
• Core doctrines are the
most essential; usually
about basic truths of
God and salvation
(gospel issues)
• Important doctrines
have less weight than
core doctrines
• Peripheral doctrines
carry less weight than
important doctrines
• Be a learner about God.
Healthy Attitudes
• Be a seeker of truth, but
don’t be too open-minded.
• Be careful about unresolved
feelings in the church.
These can make us overly
receptive to false teaching.
• Be confident as you answer those who question you:
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared
to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason
for the hope that you have… - 1 Pet 3.15
• Be a living “promotion” of God’s truth.
Our knowledge of God should affect our behavior. Remember
that sound doctrine is about how you live your life, more than
how much you know.
Work hard so God can approve you. Be a
good worker, one who does not need to be
ashamed and who correctly explains the
word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2.15 NLT
CONTROVERSIAL!
Tricky Topics for Christians
Doctrines False and True