Categories of Doctrine

By F. L. Lemley

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     Paul urged Timothy to take heed unto himself and to the doctrine and continue in them. In so doing he would save himself and those who heard him (1 Timothy 4:16). Is all doctrine of equal value and equally related to our salvation? Is there no doctrine to be learned after we are saved? Does none belong to the after and progressive edification of the church?

     What of the allowances God made in Romans 14, on meats and days? This eating of meats and keeping of days cannot be brushed aside as mere opinions for with those involved they were mat-

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ters of faith. They are not matters of faith having to do with becoming children, but matters of faith (conviction) developed after becoming children. There are matters of faith having to do with becoming a child, and matters of conviction (faith) which one develops in the course of study and meditation after becoming a child.

     There is essential truth, that is, the irreducible minimum one must accept to become a child. This is vital to life and relationship with God. It includes such doctrines as the fatherhood of God, the deity of Christ, repentance, the inspiration of the scriptures and obedience. Without embracing these one cannot become a child. But after the new birth the child must be nourished that he may grow (1 Peter 2:2). In order to grow one begins to study the scriptures and absorb their message. This part of the word is not always spelled out as clearly as the essential truths which made him a child. He begins to infer, deduct and enter into a process of reasoning, and soon reaches conclusions. He may be right or he may be wrong, as many of us have been, but such study leads to conviction. Such conviction is his personal faith which he is to hold between himself and God.

     If the child forms a wrong conviction he must abide by it and others must allow him to do so. To violate a wrong conviction is just as sinful as to violate a right one. To wrongly believe that God requires a certain thing is as binding upon the conscience as to rightly believe He requires a certain thing. This is one of the lessons of Romans 14. Do not argue about scruples (verse 1). God accepts both and will make both stand, even though one is obviously wrong (verses 2, 3). Hold such matters as conviction between yourself and God and do not bind them upon brethren (vv. 22, 23).

     There are some errors of little or no consequence so far as God is concerned, but if they are matters of conviction to us we must abide with them and by them. It is clear that doctrines clearly and emphatically stated may fall into what we call a primary category, while doctrines formulated by our reasoning process fall into a different category. The first is bound upon all mankind, the second we may bind upon no one but self. This is why what is faith to one may be opinion to another. God allows this variation. Isn't it wonderful that God expects us to be human?