ayne Jacobsen at Lifestream Blog recently posted on an issue which has been batted around some here on this blog. His post is entitled “Where Is Your Doctrinal Statement?” and is in response to a question he received via email.
Several times in the past, I have talked here on this blog about what doctrinal issues are essential for fellowship, but Jacobsen takes an even better approach. He emphasizes the importance of living out what you believe vs. stating what you believe.
Some may find that to be a false dichotomy, but I think that Jacobsen’s statements line up quite well with biblical statements such as “They will know you are my disciples by your love one for another” and if a person says they love God, yet hate their brother, they are a liar.
Consider this statement by Jacobsen:
Doctrinal statements are an irrelevant test whether anyone is lining up their life with the Scripture. The test is in the living. I know many people who sign on to doctrinal statements but do not live the reality of them. Assent to a creed doesn’t mean anything if someone isn’t going to live in and embrace the reality of it. What really matters is not their theology but their relationship to the Father through the Son. And there [sic] words don’t really matter. Many people claim to know him who do not. What matters is their life in him.
This is a key point worth remembering. Rather than tout our theology as what defines us, we should instead seek to live a life that removes all doubt as to whose we are.
Go read the entire post, and feel free to comment there or here.
Until next time,
steve 
I had read Wayne’s post about half an hour before I got to yours, because of the way my list of sites on Google is arranged. I find myself in agreement with Wayne–I reached a point quite a while ago where I am no longer that impressed by how much Bible a person knows; I want to know how much he lives.
Back in the 1970s an Argentine pastor named Juan Carlos Ortiz put out a small book called “Disciple.” Apparently one of their practices in his church in Buenos Aires was that he would teach on a Bible topic, they would follow up on it in their small groups…but he didn’t move on to a new topic until the groups could say all were living it! Too often we move on to new teachings without incorporating them into our daily lives.
It does take more time to get to know a person that deeply, and it is even harder over the Internet (a real weakness of “virtual church” approaches). But I think it is important.
Steve,
Living in a time and context where people argue and separate over creeds and statements of faith written in human words, it is a breath of fresh for me to read Wayne Jacobsen and now you suggest that we should instead unite under the banner of a shared life in Christ – the new life, the Spirit-indwelled life – that we all share.
At times the argument over creeds and statements of faith remind me of Joshua approaching the Angel of the Lord. But instead of asking about sides in a war, we are asking, “Angel, which side are you on? On the side of the Westminster Confession or the London Baptist Confession? On the side of the Synod of Dort or the Remonstrants? On the side of the Baptist Faith and Message or Nicaea?” I think the Angel (and the Lord Himself) would answer, “I am not on either side. I am with the Lord.”
Words alone are meaningless. I can speak and write many words. But, my true understanding of God, Father, Son, Spirit, Scriptures, Salvation, Atonement, Church, etc. will not be found written in a doctrinal statement. Instead, my true understanding will be demonstrated in how I live my life.
-Alan
Phil, thanks for the comment. You are correct that getting to know how a person lives takes more time and involvement in each other’s lives. I think that a major flaw in the way Christianity is practiced today (at least in our American culture) is the mistaken idea that one can disciple from afar.
Alan, “shared life in Christ” is a great phrase. That is my passion. I am so sick and tired of the divisions that are taking place. In a recent discussion on another blog that you and I both read, I saw someone talking about the necessity for people to be discipled into/with a “clear [insert their particular denomination] identity”.
The idea that any identity would come from a particular denominational doctrinal statement vs. life in Christ is very disturbing to me.
Steve,
Yes, I saw that blog post, and I tried to comment several times, but I didn’t like my attitude in any of my responses. I think I was most disappointed that people were not as interested in a “clear CHRIST identity”.
-Alan
Believe in faith the Spirit of the living Christ in- dwells.
Connect with the emotions and thoughts that spring consistently from His presence. Do this constantly as an act of your will. Some call it “practicing the Presence.” I prefer, “resting in Him.”
Speak only from here.
Take responsibility when you speak otherwise; apologize and correct as needed.
You will be in line with Scripture and become known as one with spiritual maturity.
Fairly simple. One might call it a light and easy burden or the yoke of love.
Steve,
Discipling from afar. That is a good way of putting it. Where do you think that idea comes from? Not wanting to get involved with the messy stuff of life? Or something else?
Alan,
I understand not liking the tone of my comments and keeping quiet. I find that happens a lot with me any more.
ded, very well said!
Mike, I have no idea where that idea comes from. I fear that it is closely tied to the clergy/laity division that has been accepted in Christian churches for 1700 years.