The Structure Of Biblical Doctrine

THE STRUCTURE OF BIBLICAL DOCTRINE

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Ps 11:3

One might not be aware of the many studies, studies that often contradict other studies, even in the same field of expertise, concerning the horrific collapse of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Architects, construction engineers, chemists and mathematicians have all, together and separately, formulated scenarios in their quest to answer exactly why the towers collapsed—towers that were designed and constructed to withstand the impact of a jet airliner. One thing, however, is agreed upon by all—the supporting structure, for whatever reason, ceased, at some point, to support—to which the monumental pile of debris and human bodies sadly testified.

Structure is not erected for structure’s sake, rather structure is erected in order to establish a foundation for human use and habitation. The Twin Towers, for instance, provided thousands of square feet of floorspace that was sectioned into offices, restaurants, restrooms, conference rooms and other such needed areas for human use. It is to be understood, likewise, that Biblical doctrine is not erected for doctrine’s sake either, but rather, doctrine is established through Biblical teachings by the ministry in order to lay a foundation by which the people of God may build their lives upon. “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.” 1 Corinthians 3:10-13.

When one looked at the Twin Towers, upon their completion, he saw not the supporting structure but rather he saw the adorning shell that enclosed the offices and other human spaces. Likewise, the supporting structure of Biblical doctrine is not what the world sees but instead they see the “lives” of the people who are supported by Biblical doctrine.

Titus (2:10) speaks of “…that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” The word “adorn” is similar to the word “cosmos,” which is a reference to the beautifully created order of the universe. As the Psalmist exclaimed, “the heaven’s declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Ps 19:1). The opposite of the words “cosmos” and “adorn” is the concept of confusion, chaos and disfigure and pervert. Paul reminds us that “God is not the author of confusion (chaos) but peace” (I Cor 14:33). We are admonished to “Be ye Holy, even as I am Holy” (I Peter 1:15-16). As God’s people we are to live lives that are “set in order,” and in so doing we “adorn the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ in all things” (Titus 2:10). In other words, we are God’s epistles, “known and read by all men” (II Cor 3:2). The life that we live is “supported” by the framework of Biblical doctrine. If that foundation be destroyed what shall the righteous do?

The human skeleton is needed, it is vital There could be no life without it. The skeleton framework of support is what makes human existence possible. When Ezekiel, in the thirty-seventh chapter of his book, stood in the valley and looked before him, and behold, it was full of bones, and they were very dry [Ezekiel 37:1-2]. The skeleton needed more. And the Lord God said to Ezekiel, “Stand now and speak to the dry bones, that they be clothed: the sinews, the muscles, the skin, and the breath of life” [Ezekiel 37:4-6]. So it is with the doctrines of the Word of God; they must be incarnate, they must be clothed with flesh and blood, they must live again! As long as the Bible is just a book, and as long as the doctrine is just a teaching—theological precepts and conceptions—they lie inert and powerless and weak—they MUST be adorned with human lives in order to show forth His Glory!

It is for this reason that our enemy tries tirelessly to ram our lives with his demon piloted airliners. The devilish objective is to knock out the support foundation of Biblical doctrine. Our enemy is not only interested in causing tears and lust in his victims rather he is focused primarily on destruction of Biblical doctrine in our lives—because its destruction causes a total collapse of the life built upon it. No wonder then the parable is given of the house build on the sand and the house built on the rock—because the winds and waves WILL come!

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42

—jlg—