Gospel Doctrine a Solid Foundation

Doctrine matters. Theological views matter. This of course like everything else is debated within the church and even by onlookers to the church. But, the fact that this is a debated view demonstrates that doctrine matters. Holding that doctrine or theology doesn't matter is in and of itself a doctrinal perspective. We all believe certain things about God: who He is, if He exists, and if He does what He is up to in the world.

The question isn't do we have a theological view; instead it is -- what is our theological view? We all have one. Atheists and Agnostics depend on a theological view in the same way that Christians do. Their lives are lived in light of their view of God in the same way Christians make life decisions in the light of their view of God and His work on their behalf.

This is why it is so important to take time to study and know what God's Word reveals. This why to be healthy a healthy church must build our view of God and His work in the world on the Scriptures and not what feels good in our gut or makes sense to the world but what God has said He is doing. Gospel doctrine (the work that God has done to save us and our response to it) is foundational to the health of the church.

Peter understood this. It is obvious as he writes his first letter to the church. He fills the opening verses full of Gospel doctrine. Then, every word that follows the introduction is founded on what he has already written. He knows for the church to endure, function and fulfill its purpose they must be standing on the rock of Gospel doctrine.

Gospel Doctrine is often considered in terms of a logical flow of God's work and our response. This is called the Ordo Salutis, a latin term that simply means the Order of Salvation. In the protestant view there are two major perspectives, one emphasizes man's role alongside God in our salvation the other emphasizes God's work to save man and man's response to God's work. I believe Peter's view, as represented in 1 Peter 1:1-5, emphasizes the latter. I have attached an infographic that I think will help illustrate this further. Let me encourage you to study 1 Peter 1:1-5 - is the process depicted in this image demonstrated in those verses?