Faith and Doctrine

Can anyone have perfect doctrine?
Is doctrine the key to perfect faith?
Will a wholly correct doctrinal understanding save me?

Sure doctrine is important but faith is honored, hope is desired, love is all important.

Rob

 

So aside from Mark O, I guess nobody else has an authentic biblical faith since I doubt there is anyone correct in their doctrine besides Mark O.

 

Mark, I understand, I really do.
I earnestly enjoy studying the doctrines of God.
However even in study, we often miss the point.
You can be an excellent academic scholar or a top-class exegete and fully expound the Scriptures correctly and still not please God.
Our Father looks on our heart.
Even the most simple among us can have a greater faith than ours.

Yesterday at church, I was ministered to by a woman who has cared for an autistic young man faithfully for years.
Her faith is strongly shown by the loving care, fortitude and her unfailing devotion.
She didn’t need to say anything; her deep love and faith is evident through her actions.
I don’t know about what her views on salvation are.
I don’t know if she is a Calvinist or not.
I don’t even know her views on the inerrancy of Scripture.
She doesn't have a lot of time to devote to Bible study.
But her faith is strong and powerful.

God loves the simplest among us and uses them to confound the mighty.

Rob

 

Correct doctrine or teaching is not mentioned in this passage.

Authentic faith is not mentioned in this passage.

The above two passages do not associate authentic faith with correct doctrine.

This passage is the concluding paragraph of Romans as Paul's well wishing to the Roman church. He prays for God to strengthen the Roman Christians to obey in faith.

I'm all for authentic biblical faith. I'm all for right biblical doctrines. But these passages are not saying that authentic biblical faith is not possible without complete understanding of right biblical doctrine.

 

There is a definite relationship

2 Timothy 3
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.


I like to reckon spiritual food to physical food.

One need not know all the science of digestion and assimilation to eat and enjoy a meal but it is helpful for health's sake to know the rules of a balanced diet.

HankD

 

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NAS

Mark, you are going to have to make a better case for your point.

I would agree that doctrine (what we believe) defines our actions (what we do).

Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:4-6,
“…nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, [bolding added]

He defines our goal: as teachers we need to teach application.
Correct doctrine for knowledge sake is empty, and as sentimental as it may sound, it’s a clanging symbol.

Rob

 

There is a core of doctrine that must be believed to be saved: God as holy, man as sinner, Christ as perfect sacrifice, etc.

But salvation does not require completely right doctrine in all areas. One can be saved and believe something that is incorrect.

The verses in the OP have nothing really to do with this topic however. They deal with the doctrines necessary for salvation.

Scripture makes it clear that learning and teaching is necessary to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior JEsus Christ.

 

The only way our faith can increase is by an increased understanding of God.
Our study of doctrine is ONE way we can increase that understanding.

We are coming to an agreement here.

Rob

 

The degree of truth is a variable amongst believers, the amount depends on the person's knowledge and experience.

Instead of requiring everyone to have the "correct doctrine," a better term would be "sound doctrine" of core beliefs confirming our faith in Christ.

The understanding of God increases our faith.

Being more like Christ increases our love.

 

Looked up "sound" in the dictionary - theologically correct or orthodox, as doctrines or a theologian.

Maybe somebody will come along with the authority to clarify doctrine before it all ends.