Doctrine, after all, is the way to grace.
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
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.
These days we “fish” with contemporary music, anecdotal preaching, invitations to join but with no commitment or strings attached, and a host of other “proven” techniques for “growing the church.” But doctrine? No. Thank you.
Sechnall, Patrick’s successor, sang of the essence of Patrick’s ministry: Through the preaching and teaching of 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”? It is the truth of God, proclaimed in love, that 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 indistinct our churches will become. Jesus said the truth will set us free, 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. It’s the only way to escape the flood of secularism and enjoy the new air of the Kingdom of God.
Psalm 19.7, 8 (St. Christopher: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”)
The Law of God is perfect, His testimony sure;
The simply man God’s wisdom learns, the soul receives its cure.
God’s Word is right, and His command is pure, and truth imparts;
He makes our eyes to understand; with joy He fills our hearts.
Lord, what does it mean for me to “fish with nets of doctrine” today? How do I do that? Who will help me, if not You and Your Spirit? If doctrine is the way to grace, O Lord, then feed me with doctrine and send me in the name of grace.
tmmoore@ailbe.org
