Doctrine II

I spent some time with a friend last week who is getting ready to go back to school for a Master in Divinity. We had a great time discussing reading material, Greek tenses and all the stuff that comes with this territory. On one level I feel sorry for him and on the other I envy him. He’s about to enter a world full of questions and very few answers.

With this in mind I want to return to our discussion on doctrine. Theology has been described as faith seeking understanding. We seek to understand an infinite God with our finite abilities. This means we’re not just capable of error but guaranteed of it. Whatever understanding I come to today is still open to discussion thought and debate tomorrow.

If anything I believe is possibly going to change in the future how am I to deal with those who disagree with my positions? In fact we could put the question even more simply; why should anyone believe anything at all.

The fact is I do believe some things. I do believe Jesus is the Christ, the promised one and the hope of my salvation. Past this I’m very willing to discuss just about anything. People will have different views on baptism, what is and is not sin, what is faithfulness and a myriad of other things. While I may or may not be convinced to change my position on any of these subjects I feel compelled to offer those who believe differently the right hand of fellowship if we can agree on Jesus.

I think this means that what we believe is important is not ultimate until we come to the person of Christ.