Doctrine: The Key to Christian Living - by John MacArthur

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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Dr. MacArthur muddled thinking is plainly on display here. He first sets a false choice, knowing Bible doctrine versus completely avoiding all Bible doctrine. For him, knowing Bible doctrine is attaining doctrinal perfection. That is his highest goal, his evidence of spiritual maturity. Thus the continual refinement of doctrine is mistaken for growing in faith.

If people don't share his love for the pursuit of better and better doctrine, they don't believe in doctrinal at all. Thus they cannot please God, because they cannot grow in their Christian walk.

We would think that the Holy Spirit is the key to Christian living. We also think that the encouragement of the brethren is an important component. Doctrine, especially as presented by Dr. MacArthur, is merely the accumulation of Bible facts. 

That's not maturity of faith.

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Right doctrine is essential to right living.

It is impossible to live a faithful Christian life without knowing biblical doctrine. Doctrine simply means “teaching,” and there is no way that even the most sincere believer can conduct a life pleasing to God without knowing what God Himself is like and what sort of life God demands of His people. Those who set biblical theology aside also set aside sound Christian living. And this happens more often than you might think.

Just Love People?

Many people today do not believe doctrine is necessary at all. They teach that we can “just love people” and never make doctrine an issue. (We don't trust Dr. MacArthur to accurately characterize what "many people" believe about doctrine. We are inclined to think that "many people" are simply not as concerned as he is regarding doctrinal minutiae.)

I remember a group of Christians in the ’70s who taught that all doctrine was opposed to Christ.[1] They chose not to adopt any doctrines (which was, of course, their cardinal doctrine). (Dr. MacArthur amplifies the supposed dichotomy by lumping "many people" together with a splinter group  from 50 years ago who don't believe in doctrine at all.)

That is a dangerous sentiment, and a recipe for apostasy.

Every generation of Christians is faced with this idea. (Which idea? He mentioned two.)

People return to thinking that the church should set theology aside (Term-switching. Previously he wrote that certain people prefer to "never make doctrine an issue," but now he modifies it into those who would "set theology aside." These are not even close to the same thing. Dr. MacArthur engages in rhetorical dishonesty.)

and just love people or perform acts of kindness. Talking about theology forces Christians to draw clear lines, so some choose to stop talking about it altogether. (Indeed. The constant doctrinal bickering that occurs in Dr. MacArthur's circles forces people to divide into camps over inconsequential things. Most doctrine, however, is not critical to a saving faith or a fruitful Christian walk.)

One verse that is frequently quoted in defense of such foolishness is Philippians 1:9, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more.” People will isolate a verse like this one and say, “That’s all we need to do: love more and more! Forget about all that doctrinal hair-splitting.”

But that’s not the whole verse—it continues, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment.” Paul did not promote mushy sentimentalism—love is not an uncontrolled impulse. It must be guided by knowledge of the truth. 

Paul also says love must abound in discernment. Biblical love is not blind; it discriminates between right and wrong. A love that is not guided by truth is volatile and deadly. So Christians must be discerning and make doctrinal judgments to keep their love on track. They must abound in love informed by theology. Scripture consistently shows us this pattern. (Well, it's good Dr. MacArthur demands we examine context. So let's get a little more context: 

Ph. 1:9-11 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.

The obvious question we must ask is, does the reader really think Paul was writing about having good doctrine in these verses?)

Paul's Pattern

In the book of Ephesians, Paul gives three chapters of doctrinal truth, then begins the fourth chapter saying, “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” This verse marks the transition from doctrinal principles to Christian living—from principle to practice. Only after a lengthy doctrinal exposition does Paul exhort his readers to holy living. (Is Dr. MacArthur suggesting that it always necessary to make a lengthy explanation of spiritual principles before an exhortation to holy living? 

This seems central to his presentation, that it is necessary to have one's doctrinal arsenal fully stocked in order to live a life acceptable to God. But it doesn't necessarily follow that doctrinal completeness is a necessary antecedent to Christian living.) 

The word “worthy” in Ephesians 4:1 has the root meaning of balancing the scales—what is on one side of the scale should be equal in weight to what is on the other side. By extension, the word came to apply to anything that was expected to correspond to something else. A person worthy of his pay was one whose day’s work corresponded to his day’s wages. The believer who walks “in a manner worthy of the calling” is one whose daily living corresponds to his doctrine and his position as fellow heir with Jesus Christ. (No, Paul did not write this. We can read the verse ourselves, sir: ...worthy of the calling you have received. Not "worthy of the doctrine you received.")

Paul uses this same word in Philippians 1:27, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” In other words, your conduct must match what you believe. (No, Paul did not write this. We can read the verse ourselves, sir: ...worthy of the gospel of Christ. Not "worthy of the doctrine you received.")

The exalted reality of the gospel demands an exemplary lifestyle. And that is precisely the issue in Ephesians 4. Doctrine and duty are linked as closely as the flower and the stem—you cannot have one without the other. (None of these "proof" texts have mentioned doctrine.)

This connection between doctrine and duty is found as a transition point in many of Paul’s epistles. After giving eleven chapters of doctrine in Romans, Paul begins chapter 12 with these words, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Paul is urging people to live sacrificially in light of the doctrine he has expounded. (No, Paul did not write this. We can read the verse ourselves, sir: ...by the mercies of God. Not "by the doctrines you learned.")

That’s why chapters 12–16 are all practical—serving in the church (chapter 12), responding to government (chapter 13), answering a weaker brother (chapters 14–15), and working with others in ministry (chapter 16). All of those wonderful, practical chapters are built on the foundation of the theological truths that preceded them. (Paul was writing a letter to a church. He had instruction for them, correction, teaching, and application. The letter would not exist had Paul not had a reason to write. 

So it only makes sense that Paul did what he did in his letter. However, Dr. MacArthur is attempting to impose his viewpoint about correct doctrine onto the logical narrative of Paul's letter. He's viewing Paul's writing through the lens of his doctrine, rather than deriving his doctrine from what's written.)

In Galatians, Paul devotes the first four chapters to explaining Christian liberty and the last two to exhorting Christians to live by that liberty. In 5:1, Paul summarizes the first four chapters, saying, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free.” Then immediately after that, he writes, “Therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” So the whole verse reads: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (emphasis added). Right practice must always be based on right principle. The two are inseparably linked. ("Right principle" is not synonymous with "right doctrine.")

Paul always built practical imperatives on doctrinal truth (Philippians 2:1–2; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:1). (Let's quote: 

Ph. 2:1-2 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Col. 3:1-4 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

1Th. 4:1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

Does the reader see anything here about correct doctrine connecting to holy living?)

He understood that you cannot expect a believer to live out a principle he does not know. ("Principle" is not synonymous with "doctrine.")

Doctrine for Practice

People have criticized me for preaching that is too heavy or too doctrinal. (Ahh, now it's starting to make sense. Dr. MacArthur doesn't like to be criticized. He preaches on doctrine, and apparently some people think he overemphasizes doctrine. We can see how people might think that, especially considering today's article.

So rather than teach how to be a mature Christian, or how to understand the Bible, or how to not give in to disappointment, Dr. MacArthur's laser focus is doctrinal hairsplitting. 

Maybe he does teach these other things. If so, bravo. But we have seen no evidence that he does.)

But that’s what God has called me to preach. (What, exactly, did God say to you, Dr. MacArthur? You don't believe God speaks to Christians, sir: 

And so through the Scriptures God has given us a body of teaching that is final and complete. Our Christian faith rests on historical, objective revelation. That rules out all inspired prophecies, seers, and other forms of new revelation until God speaks again at the return of Christ.

How do you know you were called to preach? Who told you this?)

Without doctrine, people will never mature as Christians, that’s why Ephesians 4:23 says, “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Paul understood that any true renewal in the church begins with doctrine and the mind. (This does not follow from Paul's statement.)

Only after doctrinal principles are taught can people live them out. (Now he combines doctrine and principle. What are these "doctrinal principles?" Well, we don't know, because he hasn't mentioned a single one.)

I never spend much time telling stories or jokes in my sermons. I don’t try to manipulate the congregation into an emotional frenzy. All I want to do, week after week, is teach the principles of the Word of God so that the people can obey them.

We see this pattern in 2 Timothy 3:16–17. Verse 16 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” Then verse 17 adds, “So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” There are no good works without the knowledge that comes from Scripture. (Knowledge of Scripture is not the same thing as doctrine.)

It is really quite simple: You can’t live what you don’t know. You can’t play the game if you don’t know the rules. You can’t walk worthy of the calling you received unless you study the truth.

Doctrine is the key to Christian living.