Is there a book of Doctrines??

[Massorite]

Yes there is. It is the bible. So many false doctrinal beliefs abound in the church today that one must be very careful what one reads out side of the word of God. Here are a few examples of false beliefs and trust me when I say that many will shoot me down when I write these. However if it is not written in the bible it is not and it is a false doctrine.

Millions of Christians believe that there will be "Seven Years of Tribulation/Wrath" but one can not find anywhere in the word of God where it says "There will be seven years of tribulation".

The doctrinal belief of "We go to heaven as soon as we die" is also false. Look as hard as you like and you will never see, in scripture, the words "We will go to heaven as soon as we die". To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" when quoted is only half of the verse and when the whole verse is considered it says that we would willing rather be absent from the body. The body goes back to the dust where it came from and the spirit goes back to God where it came from when quoted in an effort to say that we go to heaven as soon as we die and is also a wrong and false interpretation of what that verse says. Proper research will tell you that the word "spirit" in that verse is speaking of the "breath of life" which is that which animates the body and has nothing to do with your soul which will always be yours whether you suffer eternity in hell or in heaven and God will never take back your soul.

The seperation of church and state is also a false doctrinal belief. Scripture tells us and gives us examples that show us God intended for the church and state to be as one and the same and in the end the church and stae will be once again one with Jesus as the head of both the church and the government.

Rapture before the antichrist appears and before the tribulation occures is also a false doctrinal belief. Look in scripture to see for your self if scripture supports that view and you will see that it doesn't. In fact 2 Thessalonians 2:1- 8 tells us that before the "rapture" there will be a great departure from the faith (a great falling away) before the day of Christ comes (verse 3), the man of sin (the antichrist) will be revealed for who he is, who will "sit as God in the temple, showing himself that he is God".

Which in turn leads us to the false doctrinal belief that "all prophecy that was to be fulfilled before the coming of Christ has all been fulfilled and we are now simply waiting on the resurrection" because in 2 Thess 1-8 we are told of the falling away, the appearance of antichrist and if the antichrist is going to sit in the temple of God and show himself as being God there must be a temple for the antichrist to sit in. Which means that we should be looking for a new temple to be built on the temple mount in Jerusalem.

My advice to you is "Get your doctrinal beliefs from the word of God only and not from some other mans opionion or interpretation of the word of God. Let the Holy Spirit of God show what to believe and what his word says."

[Qnts2]

Wow just got done reading some of the Arminius/Calvin thread. Yikes, I think I need a book that breaks them ALL down. Anyone know if one's been written yet, or must I search wikipedia for 100 different answers

The topic you are asking for would be called 'systematic theology'. There are a lot of books, and many can be so boring using Christianese and seminary terminology, that you need a good dictionary, and they could make you 'head explode'.

Since you are just now returning to Church, I agree with many of the posters. Read the scripture. If you have questions, ask, then ask and ask some more. Pray while reading scripture for the Lords guidance and pray when reading the answers from others. When talking to others compare what they say to scripture. Formulate your own theology from scripture, and then read about systematic theology. Most systematic theology books will of course favor the theology preferred by the author. Systematic theology is good for understanding others, for learning how to defend what you believe from scripture, as well as developing scriptural arguments against bad theology. But, first, it is best to get your understanding from scripture, questions and prayer.

[OneLight]

I absolutely trust scripture, however I would like to find a church close to what I draw from scripture, and let's face it, in this world, there's 100 different ones. I want to be around some like minded people and worship. And I haven't been to church in years, recently started attending a baptist one, but I do feel I need to be in church right now, at this point in my life. I read scripture daily at home, but It's just enough for me right now, I need to commune with others. Wish I could with all of you in person!

In this idea is a hidden trap. If we just discuss with people who agree, who would be able to point out the error in our personal theology if everyone is in agreement, if there is an error? There is a reason why there are over 41,000 different Christian denominations in this world, the reason being is that everyone sought out people who agreed with them. As the saying goes "Iron sharpens Iron, and at times, sparks will fly". These sparks are sparks of growth, not sparks of anger.

[saved34]

There are some really good books to help with the study of scripture. God made it so we all would need each other to grow in understanding. Many great men of the faith have written books that God has used mightily to help his Church grow. Not all of us could be greek scholars, or spend time searching scripture like some of these giants of the faith who dedicated their entire lives to studying and rightly dividing God's word. Yes it is good to simply study the bible itself, but God has ordained that we should learn from others. No one of us has all the truth concerning doctrine down to 100%.

God has set men in the church to help with it's overall growth. Men like Dr. Strong who studied greek and brought it down to the average layman so he could get some insight into the original language. Men like Dr. Chafer who have written exhaustive books on doctrine and Christian theology. These are gifts from the Lord to his body so that we may grow. You can only learn on your own for so far until you will need another part of the Body to impart something from scripture that will help you in your faith.

Eph 4:11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

Eph 4:12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Eph 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Eph 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

[other one]

Wow just got done reading some of the Arminius/Calvin thread. Yikes, I think I need a book that breaks them ALL down. Anyone know if one's been written yet, or must I search wikipedia for 100 different answers

Might I suggest that you read the entire new testament three times strait from beginning to end with only that question on your mind. YOu might take notes if other things pop up in your mind, but focus on that question as you read. It will take some time, but this is a really complex question and it's kind of hard to come to a conclusion that all of scripture fits into........ So my personal take on it is that reality lies somewhere in the middle of the two sides somewhere...... but after many many tries I can't place exactly where.

[OneLight]

There are some really good books to help with the study of scripture. God made it so we all would need each other to grow in understanding. Many great men of the faith have written books that God has used mightily to help his Church grow. Not all of us could be greek scholars, or spend time searching scripture like some of these giants of the faith who dedicated their entire lives to studying and rightly dividing God's word. Yes it is good to simply study the bible itself, but God has ordained that we should learn from others. No one of us has all the truth concerning doctrine down to 100%.

God has set men in the church to help with it's overall growth. Men like Dr. Strong who studied greek and brought it down to the average layman so he could get some insight into the original language. Men like Dr. Chafer who have written exhaustive books on doctrine and Christian theology. These are gifts from the Lord to his body so that we may grow. You can only learn on your own for so far until you will need another part of the Body to impart something from scripture that will help you in your faith.

Eph 4:11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

Eph 4:12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Eph 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Eph 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

Yes, we need each other, to have conversations with, to toss ideas around, to voice opinions and receive a response, to laugh with, to cry with, to work beside, to worship with, to study with, to pray for, to pray for you, to grow with, to be accountable with, and so on. You cannot get that from a book.

When you read a book from a man, you then have to go back to scripture to see if what they are saying is true or not. If you don't have the time to do a deeper study in scripture and discuss with others, how is reading another mans writings saving you time unless you take the mans words blindly?

Remember, not all who write books have the gift of teaching Gods word. Every member you listed above is someone they had contact with in person. You may never meet the person who wrote the book you read.

Sorry, but I trust the leading of the Holy Spirit far more than I do a man I never met and know nothing about.

[saved34]

There are some really good books to help with the study of scripture. God made it so we all would need each other to grow in understanding. Many great men of the faith have written books that God has used mightily to help his Church grow. Not all of us could be greek scholars, or spend time searching scripture like some of these giants of the faith who dedicated their entire lives to studying and rightly dividing God's word. Yes it is good to simply study the bible itself, but God has ordained that we should learn from others. No one of us has all the truth concerning doctrine down to 100%.

God has set men in the church to help with it's overall growth. Men like Dr. Strong who studied greek and brought it down to the average layman so he could get some insight into the original language. Men like Dr. Chafer who have written exhaustive books on doctrine and Christian theology. These are gifts from the Lord to his body so that we may grow. You can only learn on your own for so far until you will need another part of the Body to impart something from scripture that will help you in your faith.

Eph 4:11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

Eph 4:12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Eph 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Eph 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

Yes, we need each other, to have conversations with, to toss ideas around, to voice opinions and receive a response, to laugh with, to cry with, to work beside, to worship with, to study with, to pray for, to pray for you, to grow with, to be accountable with, and so on. You cannot get that from a book.

When you read a book from a man, you then have to go back to scripture to see if what they are saying is true or not. If you don't have the time to do a deeper study in scripture and discuss with others, how is reading another mans writings saving you time unless you take the mans words blindly?

Remember, not all who write books have the gift of teaching Gods word. Every member you listed above is someone they had contact with in person. You may never meet the person who wrote the book you read.

Sorry, but I trust the leading of the Holy Spirit far more than I do a man I never met and know nothing about.

I agree with you Onelight, I simply used books as an example. There are many dear saints you will never meet, but they are vital to you as a fellow member of the body of Christ. They supply their share to the body and help us all to increase and grow. I'm sure there are some great people of faith who you have never actually met, but have benefited from their testimony, or there teaching, etc. The Spirit is not bound, and truth is truth. Just an example is Paul teaching the Laodiceans yet he never actually met many of them.

Col 2:1 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.

[enoob57]

God operates with us in many fashions... all within His Word's boundaries! He has given us teachers and A Teacher that we may in yielded form

discern His Voice from that of fools... Love, Steven

[JCISGD]

hi 1Peter, iv just signed back into WFs after a break of a year or two? The advice of others to read the systematic theologies of various authors is good and helpful.

The rub though is which ones? For me i usually wont read anything from authors who did not live what i want to emulate. Yes Jesus is the only one we are to be transformed into, and the bible is the final authority, but God does use human vessels, else Paul was wrong to say "follow me, as i follow Christ".

And the bible says to "give honour where it is due". To me this says we are to learn from those who have by exemplary living, proved their walk with God.

The life and systematic theology of Charles G Finney is one such example that God used to enlighten my mind in reguards to many doctrines, and satisfied my mind in reguard to the six/seventh day sabbath doctrines and much more. But when i first came accross his books i thought him to be legalist rubbish, untill 3 times God brought placed a little booklet before my eyes and i was drawn to read.

My advice is to read any authors life first and his doctrines second, as the lens to read all teaching is the heart.

[OneLight]

There are some really good books to help with the study of scripture. God made it so we all would need each other to grow in understanding. Many great men of the faith have written books that God has used mightily to help his Church grow. Not all of us could be greek scholars, or spend time searching scripture like some of these giants of the faith who dedicated their entire lives to studying and rightly dividing God's word. Yes it is good to simply study the bible itself, but God has ordained that we should learn from others. No one of us has all the truth concerning doctrine down to 100%.

God has set men in the church to help with it's overall growth. Men like Dr. Strong who studied greek and brought it down to the average layman so he could get some insight into the original language. Men like Dr. Chafer who have written exhaustive books on doctrine and Christian theology. These are gifts from the Lord to his body so that we may grow. You can only learn on your own for so far until you will need another part of the Body to impart something from scripture that will help you in your faith.

Eph 4:11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

Eph 4:12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Eph 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Eph 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

Yes, we need each other, to have conversations with, to toss ideas around, to voice opinions and receive a response, to laugh with, to cry with, to work beside, to worship with, to study with, to pray for, to pray for you, to grow with, to be accountable with, and so on. You cannot get that from a book.

When you read a book from a man, you then have to go back to scripture to see if what they are saying is true or not. If you don't have the time to do a deeper study in scripture and discuss with others, how is reading another mans writings saving you time unless you take the mans words blindly?

Remember, not all who write books have the gift of teaching Gods word. Every member you listed above is someone they had contact with in person. You may never meet the person who wrote the book you read.

Sorry, but I trust the leading of the Holy Spirit far more than I do a man I never met and know nothing about.

I agree with you Onelight, I simply used books as an example. There are many dear saints you will never meet, but they are vital to you as a fellow member of the body of Christ. They supply their share to the body and help us all to increase and grow. I'm sure there are some great people of faith who you have never actually met, but have benefited from their testimony, or there teaching, etc. The Spirit is not bound, and truth is truth. Just an example is Paul teaching the Laodiceans yet he never actually met many of them.

Col 2:1 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.

Yes, those who penned scripture. I use to read other mans writing until they were proven to be in error, some with very small errors and others very large errors. I had placed a lot of trust in Hal Lindsey in the late 70's, hoping what he preached was correct, only to be let down hard. That is when I turned to studying scripture only. I do listen to others who teach and preach, but take it all back to scripture to see if anything I heard that was new is correct or not.