Questions for the topic:
Does one need to have the correct "doctrine" before they can do works that lead to good?
If God has provided atonement through Christ into which any human can enter, then what's to stop someone from entering God's Kingdom without knowing "proper doctrine?"
Does Doctrine Precede Good Works? A Reflection on Faith and Action The question of whether one must possess "correct doctrine" before engaging in works that lead to good is both profound and deeply rooted in theological discourse. The article "Why Sound Doctrine Leads to Effective Action for Good" explores the relationship between sound doctrine and effective action, emphasizing that doctrine provides the foundation for understanding God’s will and living in alignment with His purposes. While this perspective highlights the importance of doctrine, it also raises questions about the accessibility of God’s kingdom to those who may not yet grasp or adhere to "proper doctrine."
The Role of Doctrine in Shaping Good Works Doctrine, as the article suggests, serves as a guide for believers, offering clarity about God’s character, His commands, and His redemptive plan. It equips individuals to discern what is truly good and to act in ways that reflect God’s will. Without sound doctrine, actions may lack direction or alignment with divine purposes, potentially leading to misguided efforts. However, this view does not necessarily imply that good works are impossible without correct doctrine. Throughout history, individuals have demonstrated acts of love, justice, and mercy without fully understanding or adhering to specific theological frameworks. This raises the possibility that good works can emerge from a heart aligned with God’s will, even if doctrinal understanding is incomplete.
Atonement Through Christ: An Open Invitation The concept of atonement through Christ underscores the inclusivity of God’s kingdom. If Christ’s sacrifice provides a way for all humanity to enter into relationship with God, then doctrinal knowledge may not be a prerequisite for experiencing His grace. Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of doing the will of the Father, as seen in Matthew 7:21-23, where He warns against relying solely on outward displays of faith or religious activities. This passage suggests that entering God’s kingdom is not about perfect doctrinal adherence but about living in alignment with God’s will. A life well lived—marked by love, obedience, and humility—can reflect God’s heart and purposes, even in the absence of comprehensive theological understanding.
Doctrine as a Tool, Not a Barrier While doctrine is valuable for guiding believers and fostering a deeper relationship with God, it should not become a barrier to those seeking Him. The Pharisees and Sadducees often used doctrine as a means of control, prioritizing rigid systems over the transformative power of God’s love. Jesus challenged this approach, calling people to imitate Him and live out God’s will through their actions. A life well lived, as highlighted in the scholarship on Hebrew thought and the teachings of Jesus, demonstrates faith through deeds that align with God’s commands. This perspective affirms that good works can flow from a heart attuned to God, even if doctrinal understanding is incomplete or evolving.
Conclusion: Faith in Action The relationship between doctrine and good works is complex, but it ultimately points to the transformative power of God’s grace. While sound doctrine provides a foundation for understanding and living out God’s will, it is not the sole determinant of one’s ability to do good. God’s kingdom is accessible to all who seek Him, and a life lived in alignment with His purposes carries more weight than doctrinal perfection.
(here's an add-on piece that examines the use of scripture based on one's bias.)
A Rebuttal to Proof-Texting in "Why Sound Doctrine Leads to Effective Action for Good" As followers of Christ, we are called to embody His love and justice, reflecting God’s heart through our actions. The measure of our faith is not limited to adherence to doctrine but finds its true expression in a life well lived—a life that reveals the kingdom of God to the world. This principle frames our critique of the interpretation offered by the article "Why Sound Doctrine Leads to Effective Action for Good".
Examining the Use of Titus 3:4-8 The article anchors its argument in Titus 3:4-8, focusing specifically on the phrase “insist on these things” as a central point for promoting the indispensability of sound doctrine. While doctrine indeed plays a role in guiding believers, this approach risks reducing the breadth and depth of the passage by isolating a single phrase and using it as a springboard for a specific agenda. The broader context of Titus 3:1-11 offers a more nuanced and grace-filled vision of the Christian life, emphasizing transformation through God's mercy rather than an insistence on minor doctrinal details. Paul’s message in Titus 3 is fundamentally about the grace and renewal brought about by God’s mercy through Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that salvation is not achieved “because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” This regeneration ushers believers into a new, hope-filled life—one that naturally expresses itself in good works as an outflow of grace, not as the result of doctrinal precision.
Avoiding Worldview Impositions on Scripture The interpretation presented in the Desiring God article illustrates a common pitfall in Systematic Theology: imposing a specific worldview onto Scripture to substantiate predetermined conclusions. Focusing narrowly on the command to “insist on these things” while neglecting the surrounding context risks distorting the passage’s overarching message. As Paul himself warns in the very passage from which the phrase is lifted, as well in 2 Timothy 2:14, believers must “not quarrel about words,” as such disputes can detract from the unity and grace that should define the body of Christ. Instead, Paul’s admonition to Titus urges the teaching of a life rooted in grace—a life shaped by the mercy and regeneration offered through Christ. Titus 3:1-11 encourages believers to focus not on doctrinal disputes but on living a life that reflects the transformative power of God’s grace. The insistence on minor doctrinal points, as seen in the article’s approach, runs the risk of creating divisions within the body of Christ and burdening believers with unnecessary constraints reminiscent of the Old Testament legalistic paradigm.
The Grace-Filled Life in the New Covenant Paul’s message to Titus reflects the reality that the grace of God has broken down the barriers between humanity and the divine. Through Jesus Christ, the promises and fulfillment of the Torah are extended to all people. As Titus 3:4-8 highlights, this grace is not dependent on human works or doctrinal correctness but is a gift that brings renewal and hope to all who receive it. The insistence on doctrine as a prerequisite for good works overlooks the transformative power of God’s grace to shape lives from within. Good works are not contingent upon doctrinal precision but are the fruit of a heart regenerated by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit was yielded by Christ upon his death and exited the holy of holies to bring resurrection to those who put their hope in him. After which this Spirit is now free to indwell any human vessel that draws near to God. This Spirit is wooing people to himself, and this is not frustrated anymore by the separation that used to exist, rather the atonement has been completed over humanity’s representative, Christ Jesus. Therefore, this new era of humanity inaugurated by Christ, having removed the barriers, invites all to participate in the hope of eternal life—a life that begins now and extends into eternity with Christ.
Avoiding Old Testament Legalism in New Testament Churches The approach advocated by the article risks returning to an Old Testament paradigm of legalism, where adherence to specific laws and doctrines overshadowed the relational and redemptive work of God. In Christ, the veil separating humanity from God has been torn, inviting all to draw near to Him through faith and action. To reimpose doctrinal barriers is to risk creating unnecessary divisions and obscuring the simplicity and power of the gospel, the good news that the result of his being lifted up is that he will draw all people to himself. Instead, let us embrace the open invitation of Christ, allowing all to come to know God through their actions and experience His grace. As individuals draw near to God in obedience and love, they will come to know Him more deeply, as He has revealed Himself as Jesus Christ, and the word he left for us to read.
Conclusion The article’s focus on doctrinal insistence risks overshadowing the essence of Titus 3:1-11—a call to live out the grace-filled life made possible through Christ’s mercy and the renewal of the Holy Spirit. Rather than burdening believers with the frustration of legalism, let us encourage one another to embrace the freedom and hope of the new humanity found in Christ. As we embody God’s love and justice in our actions, we reveal His heart to the world and fulfill His call to live as His people. In doing so, we affirm that a life well lived is indeed the true measure of faith.