There is a way in which you can know specific doctrines of the Bible, without actually knowing the Bible, or the God of the Bible.
The Bible is more than just a book of doctrines (although doctrine it surely contains), it is God’s story of Redemptive history. Although crucially important, doctrine alone will not call down the presence of Yahweh any more than the religious ritualism of ancient Israel did.
Only a true and lasting knowledge of Yahweh, leading to pure and intimate worship will accomplish such a purpose.
Thus, true knowledge is not, for example, simply “studying the doctrine God’s holiness”, but learning of and worshipping the God who is holy. Nor is it simply “studying the doctrine of eschatology” (or last things), but understanding and serving the God who will indeed return in glory to finally redeem His people.
God is not an object to be studied, but a Creator to be worshipped, a Savior to be cherished, and a Righteous Judge to be feared.
Our understanding of God does not define God. On the contrary it is His understanding of all things and His willingness to share His divine knowledge with His people that truly defines us.
Without question we should study doctrine, it is a must! But we can never let our doctrine become an end in itself. If anything, doctrine is meant to be the bow which straightly fires the arrow of our praise into the intended target of true, Biblical worship.
Apart from this purpose, doctrine serves no purpose at all, but is a means of unwarranted division in the body of Christ leading to spiritual high-mindedness, pride, and arrogance. It is a tragedy how common a theme this has become in Christianity and we are all that much worse for it.
Assurance, God's word, Knowledge, World View, Worship
Doctrine Divides (When Wrongly Applied)
