I had an interesting conversation with my friend Sandy at Starbucks today (aren't all conversations that happen at Starbucks interesting?). We were discussing the point of debating the doctrine of God. The conversation stemmed from the question, "Does it make sense to debate doctrine for the sake of debating?" I have many friends whom I enjoy talking about God with. The great thing is that even though we don't agree completely on every point, we are still good friends and can still have these conversations together. However, Sandy and I were talking about how debating is probably not going to convince one person or another to accept the other person's viewpoint. So what's the point?

Our whole conversation stemmed from a story that I had... I was hanging out with a good friend of mine last weekend. We were just talking about things and then the topic of the church came about. We started asking things like, "What is the purpose of the church?", "What is the aim of preaching?", "What role should large groups and small groups play in community?" I realized that we were just going back and forth with statements like, "I think it's like this..." and anecdotal stories to support our thoughts. And so at one point I interrupted and said that I really didn't know enough on these topics to be able to discuss them appropriately and effectively. Without knowing what the truth was on these topics, all we were talking about were our own opinions. My friend responded that it was still good to debate our opinions. I disagreed with that last statement.

It made me think back on what the purpose of doctrine is for. Doctrine is the study of God, and this knowledge of God should make itself manifest in how we live our lives. As my friend Alex so aptly put it once, "Doctrine without application is worthless." I've never forgotten this quote, and so when I talk/read about the things of God I always try to make a point of applying these truths to my life. One example is the doctrine of limited atonement. Knowing that God saved me, individually and specifically, at the Cross brings me peace in knowing that how much more will He provide for me, undeservingly, in all other things. I must confess though that this is not the attitude I always take when I talk with others. There are times when my purpose is simply to out argue the other person, or to make my views known and more important than anyone elses; as if I've been given all the answers. What I really need in those times in a giant dose of humility straight to my heart.

Going back then to the first question, "Should we debate doctrine simply for debating purposes?" The short answer to that is, no. If we discuss doctrine because we want to understand it better for ourselves, I believe that that is an attitude that God honors (Ps 27:8).  If we only want to approach doctrine as an intellectual pursuit, there are far better ways to spend our time.  Knowing God should be one of our greatest pursuits.

Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1 Timothy 4:13-16