T4G 2008 – Session #1, Ligon Duncan

Dr. Duncan's title for the first session of the conference was 'Sound Doctrine Which Is Essential to Faithful Pastoral Ministry". Here a summary of what he had to share:

Many in our times are anti-doctrinal, anti-theology. How do we as Pastor's respond to that? Scripture contradicts the notion that doctrine and theology are inconsequential. John 17:13-17 shows us, in Jesus' High Priestly Prayer that doctrine (truth) is for joy. In Romans 12:1-2, we see that doctrine (truth) is for growth (sanctification). In Matt 23:18-20 we see that we are to live out our doctrine ("everything I taught"). In 1 Tim 1:3-5, Paul warns Timothy that his very first priority is to teach sound doctrine and prevent the teaching of poor doctrine. Life itself is tied to doctrine in 1 Tim 1:8-11 where we see that the root of immoral living is linked directly to the rejection of the truth (doctrine). Paul tells Timothy to use the "pattern of words" that Jesus used in 1 Tim 6:2-4 showing how doctrine is directly related to godliness. And, in Titus 1:1 we see that the knowledge of truth is vital to godliness.

1. The ideas of doctrine and theology are held in suspicion by much of the church today. We hear things like, "Christianity is a life…not a doctrine." "Deeds not creeds!" "It's what you do that counts, not what you believe." And, "We need a theology that is not systematic…but narrative. We want to hear a story, not doctrine." There is a great pressure to replace our systematic theology with story-telling or narrative preaching yet, Scripture if replete with doctrinal and theological teaching. We also hear that language is not capable of conveying absolute truth, a concept that is not found in Scripture in that Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, Paul, John and many others communicated, first with God, then with us, through language.

2. When reading Scripture or discussing the church, it is impossible to avoid discussing some kind of doctrine or systematic theology: Luke 24:25-27 (topical & systematic focusing on 'the person and work of Jesus Christ', Acts 18:27-28 (Apollos teaches on 'the Messiah-ship of Christ'), Acts 17:2-3 (Paul teaches on "the person and work of Jesus Christ') and the Book of Romans which is arranged systematically.

3. What is doctrine important for?

His assurance (John 15 – election)

Marriage (Eph 5:35-love you wife as Jesus loved the church- atonement)

Joy (Philippians 3:1-11-Pauls says, "Rejoice" then teaches on the doctrine of glorification)

Ultimately, doctrine touches every area of our walk with Christ.