We could all use a dose of sound doctrine.
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…
– Ephesians 4.15
The Lord chose him so that he might teach the barbarian nations, so that he might fish with nets of doctrine; so that he might draw believers out of the world to grace, and they might follow the Lord to a heavenly seat.
– Sechnall, Audite Omnes Amantes, Irish, 6th century[1]
Poor Patrick. He didn’t get the memo, in wide circulation among many Christians today, that doctrine is strictly out, no-no, impolitic, intolerant, and very unpostmodern.
Sechnall, Patrick’s successor, sang of the essence of Patrick’s ministry: Through preaching and teaching sound doctrine, Patrick brought salvation to the lost and sanctification to the saved.
The current suspicion toward all things doctrinal on the part of many church leaders – reflected in their preaching and writing – has yet to prove its power, compared to the preaching of Patrick. Don’t you love that metaphor: “fishing with nets of doctrine”? The truth of God, proclaimed in love, reaches the hardened hearts of rebellious sinners and the redeemed hearts of eager disciples. The longer we allow doctrine to languish, the shallower and more non-distinct our lives and churches will become.
Jesus said the truth will set us free (Jn. 8.32), and truth is communicated through doctrine. There was nothing un-doctrinal about the preaching of Celtic missionaries. They stood the early medieval world right-side up by fishing with nets of doctrine and gathering a harvest that few eras of Church history have ever witnessed.
We despise or neglect doctrine to our detriment, as well as to that of the lost men and women of our day.
The world is awash with lies and half-truths, and people are drowning in deceit. It’s time to get out the nets of doctrine, my friends.
Psalm 33.1-5 (Truro: “Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns”)
Sing with rejoicing in the Lord, for praise becomes His righteous ones!
With harps and songs raise grateful words, and let new songs of praise be sung!
Joyfully shout! His Word is true; He does His work in faithfulness.
His love prevails the whole world through; the Lord loves truth and righteousness.
Lord, do I know enough doctrine to lead someone to a saving knowledge of Jesus?
