What is Sound Doctrine?

WHAT IS SOUND DOCTRINE? 

By Ezekiel Kimosop

INTRODUCTION

I recently had a conversation with a pastor friend and in the course of our discussion, I mentioned the phrase "sound doctrine" in relation to the conundrum of shallow Christianity that is rapidly emerging in our contemporary society. 

In some Christian communities today, Biblical truth has been replaced with motivational cliches and high sounding slogans that say little about Christ and His finished works of the cross.

Now back to my conversation with my pastor friend... 

The phrase "sound doctrine" apparently caught the pastor's attention and as we concluded our conversation, he requested that I expound on the concept and consider doing a teaching sermon on it. 

This is a challenge that I seek to pursue on this page.

If there is a time that the significance of sound doctrine mattered most in Christian communities, it is perhaps during this season where false teachings and half baked truths constantly crowd our airwaves and TV screens. 

I have mentioned a couple of times on this page that I have difficulty tunning in to "Christian" sermons on some local radio and TV channels.

There are many flamboyant preachers today who have taken over these channels but what they teach has totally no relevance to the truths of Scripture.

Sadly, millions of unsuspecting Christians blindly follow these latter day teachers of Mammon who also milk them dry financially as they promote their prosperity gospel merchandise.

WHAT IS SOUND DOCTRINE?

So what is sound doctrine? Allow me to supply my definition.

Sound doctrine is, in my view, a set of related Biblical teachings that are singly or collectively recognized by Bible-believing Christian communities in all church ages as both foundational and fundamental to their faith and practice. 

These doctrines must therefore be consistent with the broader revelation of Scripture. 

For example, the following statements would constitute some of the fundamental doctrines for a Bible believing Christian community:

A) All the things in the universe, seen and unseen, were created by the almighty God. He created everything from nothing [Ex-Nihilo] (Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1-2; Col. 1:16).

B) The Fall of Adam resulted in the sinful condemnation of ALL men and their alienation from God until Christ (Rom. 3:23-26, 5:12-19, 6:20-23).

C) The atonement in Christ is the exclusive solution to man's sinfulness and rebellion against God. Christ alone is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6).

D) Christ's incarnation [His coming in the flesh] implies that He was fully God and fully Man at the same time during His earthly life (John 8:54-56; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15). His divinity was not discounted by His humanity.

E) God eternally exists in three divine Persons namely God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The three divine Persons are One (Matt. 12:32;  Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10; John 1:1-3, 10:30; Col. 1:15-18; Rev 1:9-20)

F) Christ is coming again at a time appointed by God to take away His church and to judge the wicked (1 Thess. 4:17-21, Rev. 20:7-15). 

PURPOSE OF SOUND DOCTRINE

Christian doctrines inform the beliefs that shape the faith and theological expression of a particular Christian community. It is hinged on their knowledge of Christ and of His revealed word in Scripture. We cannot know Christ outside Scripture!

A religious community that is lacking in sound doctrine is likely to fall prey to the advances of false teachers or cultic movements (cf. Ephesians 4:14-15). 

A person who rejects or violates the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith or "wanders from the truth" is considered to err and should be corrected and restored to the truths of the faith (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20)

If they persist in their false teaching after having been offered an opportunity for doctrinal correction, they will be treated as heretics and will be liable to church discipline. They will be suspended from the fellowship of the particular group until they express remorse for their erring [cf. 1 Tim 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:16-19]

NON ESSENTIAL DOCTRINES

Every doctrine embraced by a Christian society should satisfy the above standards. It is however important to recognize that there are Christian doctrines that are not part of the fundamental truths and on which Christians are generally divided.

For instance, some traditions do not recognize the 1000 years reign of Christ as a literal futuristic event. 

Equally, there are rapture views that have divided Christians for centuries. Some traditions subscribe to the pre-tribulation rapture while others don't. Others recognize the mid-tribulation and post tribulation raptures as resonating with their discernment of Scripture. 

Another example is whether or not Christian marriages should be celebrated in a church congregation. This statement may sound weird to the African Christian! However, in Western Christianity, marriage is considered a private ceremony and some Churches don't get involved at all. 

Other traditions do not ordain pastors or elders in elaborate ceremonies as some do. They reject clerical robes and collars and do not use ecclesial titles such as Reverend, Cannon, Bishop, archbishop etc etc. 

Still others do not celebrate some Christian religious festivals or events such as Easter, Christmas or Lent.

These traditions however agree on the fundamentals, the inelianable truths. This is the foundation of our brotherhood in Christ amidst our conflicting doctrinal persuasions.

It is generally recognized that if we are agreed on the fundamentals, we should allow for liberty on the non essentials.

There should however be no compromise on the fundamentals of Biblical Christianity.

GUIDING QUESTIONS

In order to set the foundation for our treatment of this topic, I wish to propose a number of reflection questions that would hopefully guide our conversation. Please take time to reflect on them as we examine this important topic.

1) Do the Scriptures outline a set of discernable teachings for the church that can be classified as sound doctrine? 

2) What can we learn about the concept of sound doctrine in the Old Testament Scripture? 

3) What does the New Testament Scripture teach on sound doctrine?

4) How can sound doctrine be applied in the faith and practice of a Christian community?

5) What are the marks and pillars of a sound doctrinal system in a biblically centred Christian community? 

CONCLUSION

We shall be discussing these questions, among others, as we explore this concept of sound doctrine on this page. 

Let me conclude this introductory section by saying that fundamental Biblical doctrines provide for our Christian identity, uniformity and consistency in the assimilation and practice of the Christian faith. They distinguish a true Biblical group from Christian cults that misrepresent the fundamental truths of Scripture. 

It is my hope this series will be enriching to us all even as we seek to grow in the knowledge of Christ.

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2021