Doctrine or…Rick?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “doctrine” is defined as something that is taught.  Simple enough.

 

II Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”  In other words, because scripture is God inspired then it is profitable for doctrine.  Therefore, doctrine is important in the life of the Christian.  Titus 1:9 tells us, “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince gainsayers.”  “Gainsayers” meaning “deniers.” Doctrine, therefore, is something that is taught.  The Bible clearly points to the importance of biblical doctrine.  But it also mentions another type of doctrine.  Paul warned the Galatians that if “we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:9).  The gospel is doctrine.  He further wrote to Timothy, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine: but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned into fables” (II Timothy 4:3, 4).

 

Even the most paganistic heathens in the world recognize that we are in the last days.  Unfortunately, they do not know what to do about it. But Paul warns us that there will be those teachers who deny the truth in scripture. Peter also warned us, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily bring in damnable heresies…” (II Peter 2:1).  II John 1:10 says, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed.”  This “doctrine” is the doctrine of Christ as mentioned in the previous verse.

 

So, we can easily see that knowing, teaching and understanding doctrines is a biblical mandate.

 

Rick Warren, who has been “knighted” as America’s pastor, wrote, “God won’t ask you about your religious background or doctrinal views” (Purpose Driven Life, p.34).  The full paragraph is, “First, ‘what did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ?’ God won’t ask you about your religious background or doctrinal views.  The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust Him.  Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).   There is doctrine all through this verse, yet, Rick Warren invalidates doctrine.  Now, is God really going to ask someone if they accepted Jesus when the Triune God of the Bible predestinated some before the foundation of the world [Ephesians 1]? Apparently, Rick Warren does not understand that doctrine, either!  Rick Warren downplays the need for true Bible studying by injecting his own “purpose” into the Christian’s life.  The Bible warned us about such teachers. Yet, the masses still follow him and his kind like the swine over a cliff.  And pastors still log on to his pastors.com. Why? Are today’s pastors also wanting their ears scratched?

 

Again, by definition, “doctrine” is defined as something that is taught.  Does Rick Warren not want us to learn Bible doctrine for fear of him losing an audience?  Does he, and others, not want the Bible to teach us the doctrines that Jesus Christ, Himself, taught?  Or, does Rick Warren think so highly of himself that he wants us to only bring in his doctrines as found in the Purpose Driven Life?  Rick Warren is a very popular pastor.  He is a very popular author. He is a very popular speaker.  But popularity does not always equal truth. Is what Rick Warren espouses about the unimportance of doctrine correct?

Why are churches today receiving “into their house” someone who denies the importance of Bible doctrine?