Quotes about Doctrine

Remember that a man may be mistaken on this subject, but yet be a holy child of God. It is not the slumbering on this subject that ruins souls, but the lack of grace! Above all, avoid dogmatism and overconfidence, especially when dealing with symbolic prophecy. It is a sad truth, but a truth never to be forgotten, that none have injured the doctrine of the second coming more than its overzealous friends.

The visible church of Christ will always be a mixed body until Christ comes again. The visible church is always in danger of neglecting the doctrine of Christ's second advent. Whenever Christ does come again, it will be a very sudden event. Christ's second advent will cause an immense change to all the members of the visible church, both good and bad.

What clear doctrine characterized John the Baptist's preaching. He exalted Christ — "After me One is coming who is mightier than I." He spoke plainly of the Holy Spirit — "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

Miserable indeed is that religious teaching which calls itself Christian but contains nothing of the cross. A man who teaches in this way might as well profess to explain the solar system but tell his hearers nothing about the sun.

Sound Protestant and evangelical doctrine is useless if it is not accompanied by a holy life. It is worse than useless: it causes harm. It is despised by insightful and perceptive men of the world as an invented and empty thing, and it brings Christianity into contempt.

The truth of the gospel is intended to free us to love God and others with our whole heart. When we ignore this heart aspect of our faith and try to live out our religion solely as correct doctrine or ethics, our passion is crippled, or perverted, and the divorce of our soul from the heart purposes of God toward us is deepened.

There are no formulas with God. Period. So there are no formulas for the man who follows him. God is a Person, not a doctrine. He operates not like a system—not even a theological system—but with all the originality of a truly free and alive person.

Christianity is not a set of convictions—it is a truth. The most offensive thing imaginable.

He can no longer have God for a Father, who has not the Church for a Mother.

Holy Scripture is the highest authority for every believer, the standard of faith and the foundation for reform.

The faith by which we live shall never vary in any age . . . for one is the faith which sanctifies the Just of all ages.

You can judge the quality of their faith from the way they behave. Discipline is an index to doctrine.