Introduction to Christian Doctrines

UNIT I- Introduction
Meaning of Doctrines, Difference between Dogma & Doctrines
The term “doctrine” can be used generally to refer to all of the Church’s teachings. In addition,
we can say that dogma is a subset of doctrine — all dogmas are doctrines, but not all doctrines
are dogmas. A doctrine is a teaching of the universal Church proposed as necessary for belief
by the faithful. Dogmas, properly speaking, are such teachings that are set forth to be believed
as divinely revealed. When differentiating from dogma, we use the term “doctrine” to signify
teachings that are either definitively proposed or those that are proposed as true, but not in a
definitive manner
Doctrines seek to provide religion with intellectual systems for guidance in the processes of
instruction, discipline, propaganda, and controversy. Dogma has come to have a more specific
reference to the distillate of doctrines: those first (basic or axiomatic) principles at the heart of
doctrinal reflection, professed as essential by all the faithful.
Dogma- What you must believe to be a follower of Christ (a Christian). This has already been
decided by a consensus the Church in the original Ecumenical Church Councils. It relates to
the Trinity, the dual nature of Christ, etc. We don’t get to change this decision. If you change
it, you cannot call yourself a Christian. It is very small.
Doctrine- Other beliefs that you can disagree with and still be a Christian. Important but not
essential. This is what differentiates denominations. Troubles arise when we raise doctrine to
the level of dogma (You can’t be saved unless you believe this). Examples would be
understanding of communion, church polity, apostolic succession, baptism, mechanism of
atonement, infallibility of Scripture, etc.
Both dogma1 & doctrine2 refer to beliefs and teachings of a particular group, especially a
religious group. However, they aren't exactly the same. Dogma is slightly more particular. It
includes an emphasis on the fact that the teaching is incontrovertible, or not able to be denied
or disputed. Doctrine, on the other hand, seems like it refers to teachings that are established
and agreed upon, but not necessarily rigid and unchanging.
Relationship between Faith & Doctrines
Today there is a great attack on sound doctrine. There is a turning away from doctrinal matters
and a turning to the philosophies of men and doctrines of devils. Many churches have no time
for doctrinal preaching or catechetical instruction. They have turned to oratory, politics, ethics,
book-sermons, or a social gospel saying that doctrine is useless and obsolete.

1 Asan example of dogma, we could think about the atonement, the idea if Jesus' death on the cross being a sufficient sacrifice
to absolve us of our sin. This is something that a Christian church will not stray from. It is central to the faith, it is
incontrovertible, therefore it is dogma.
2 As an example of doctrine, we could maybe think of what a church would teach on the nature of worship. A church might
believe and teach that musical worship is not necessary to include in a church fellowship service. While this might be a
justifiable teaching, it's important not to be dogmatic about it, because many churches teach with justification that musical
worship is essential.
Christ's true church, though, must make sure that its doctrine is sound (2 Timothy 1:10; 4:2-4;
Titus 1:9; 2:1); pure and scriptural (2 Timothy 3:14-17). It must be held in love, that is, meekly
and gently (yet firmly and uncompromisingly) presented in all its balance and beauty (1
Corinthians 13:1-6)
Our doctrine affects fellowship. There can be no partnership unless both partners are walking
in the light (1 John 1:1-7). In fact the measure of common light between believers will partially
determine the measure of the fellowship and co-operation.
What we believe affects and even determines our character. Believing affects being, and being
affects doing. If we follow sound doctrine, it will bring about a development of the divine
nature and the character of Christ within us. Paul exhorted his fellow-labourer to "take heed to
thyself and the doctrine" (1 Timothy 4:6,16). And again, "Give attendance ...to doctrine" (1
Timothy 4:13). Conversely, by our holy life we are to adorn the doctrine (Titus 2:7-10).
Doctrine and faith are so inseparable that doctrine determines destiny. Who and what we
believe in affects eternal destiny. It is absurd to say it does not matter what you believe as long
as you're sincere. You may drink poison believing it's your medicine, but it will kill you. A
man may be sincerely wrong (2 Peter 3:14,15). Our relationship to Christ (the Christ as
preached by the apostles, an no other) affects where we will spend eternity. In Christ is light
and life; outside of Him is darkness and death.
We ought not to disparage the intellectual aspect of the religious life, even though the
intellectual aspect is not all. It is certainly foundational, though. Everything else spring from
doctrine, that is, from the grasp of truth. It is only mysticism that denigrates the right use of
reason and understanding.
Doctrine is the skeleton, the groundwork upon which faith is built. How can I believe in Christ
if I have no facts about Him, who He is, what He has done, whether He's living or dead, what
He has promised, and so on?
Apostolic Faith- Historic Church-Contemporary Contextual Realities
It is not possible to think of communities united by sacramental life if they do not live in a
common confession of faith. The measure and source of that common faith, however, cannot
be understood to be anything other than apostolic faith itself.
Nature of Apostolic Faith. According to the language of the World Council of Churches
Assembly at Nairobi (1975), apostolic faith is that which has been "delivered through the
Apostles and handed down through the centuries". This formula, which is very synthetic, hides
the complexity of the problem. There is today an awareness that the notion of apostolic faith is
not nearly so simple—that it implies many diverse elements.
The authority of the Apostles derives not only from the fact that they have been the witness of
the preaching and the life of Christ Jesus, but also from the fact that they have been the sole
authentic interpreters of the Resurrection. Their preaching has essentially consisted in a
rereading, through the Holy Spirit, of the entire life and preaching of Jesus in the light of their
own faith in the Resurrection. The message they preached is therefore both conditioned and
marked by their faith. In this sense all that we know of Jesus derives from the faith of the
apostolic community, that is, from the apostolic faith.
This apostolic preaching is communicated to us in documents themselves profoundly marked
by the manner in which apostolic faith was "received" and lived out in the first Christian
communities. Paul himself is attentive to this link of faith to the other apostolic communities.
Apostolic faith thus reunites us with the apostolic traditions, each one of which already
possesses an ecclesial life, in the diversity with which that life appears according to its
sociological, cultural, and religious context. Once again, at this level, the faith of the Church
precedes the documents through which the truths of the faith are transmitted.
Relationship between Doctrine & Faith Praxis
UNIT-II The Doctrine of Authority
1. Revelation
2. Faith Communities: Testimonies of the communities of Faith
3. Traditions and Scripture
4. Contextual reflections on Authority
UNIT-III The Doctrine of the Triune God:
1. God the Father/Mother, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit
a. Godhead as Trinity
b. Trinitarian Interpretations: Western, Eastern & Indian
c. The concept of Perichoresis and its social implications
2. God the Father/Mother