Cultivating a Deeper Understanding of Biblical Doctrine Beyond Humanism
Biblical doctrine refers to the systematic teaching derived from the Scriptures, encompassing the wisdom and knowledge that God communicates to humanity [8]. This body of teaching is distinct from human wisdom or carnal policy, focusing instead on spiritual and evangelical truths [8]. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy, warns against teaching "another doctrine" that deviates from the established truths, such as those concerning the duties of servants or the nature of government [1]. Such divergent teachings are often characterized as "divers and strange doctrines" that can carry believers away from the unified and consistent truth found in the Bible [3].
The concept of biblical doctrine emphasizes a singular, coherent truth, in contrast to the varied and often contradictory doctrines of human origin [3]. This divine wisdom is often hidden from those who rely solely on human understanding, requiring the Spirit of wisdom and revelation for true comprehension [5]. The Bible itself is presented as a "sealed book" to those without spiritual insight, and its doctrines are described as "riddles and dark sayings" until illuminated by the Spirit and power of God [5].
The Foundation of Doctrine
The foundational elements of biblical doctrine are presented as essential for spiritual initiation and growth. In Hebrews, the author encourages believers to move beyond these basic teachings to a deeper understanding, particularly concerning the person of Christ [2]. These foundational elements include repentance from dead works and faith toward God, which are described as the basic commitments that initiate a person into the Christian life [2]. Other foundational teachings mentioned in Hebrews include instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment [2]. While these are crucial, the text urges believers to "go on" or "be carried on" to maturity, suggesting that spiritual growth is an ongoing process initiated by God [2].
This progression from basic to more mature understanding is likened to moving from "milk" to "strong meat" in the spiritual diet [4]. "Strong meat" is appropriate for those who are "of full age" or "perfect," referring to believers who have developed a greater degree of faith and a clearer understanding of divine truths [4]. This maturity is not a perfection of justification, as even new believers are perfectly justified, nor is it a perfection of sanctification, which is only fully realized in Christ [4]. Instead, it refers to a deeper grasp of the "wisdom of God in a mystery," which is the Gospel and its doctrines [8].
Distinguishing Biblical Doctrine from Human Teachings
A key aspect of understanding biblical doctrine is recognizing its divine origin and distinguishing it from human teachings. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy, explicitly warns against those who "teach otherwise" or promote "another doctrine" [1]. These alternative doctrines are often characterized by their deviation from the established truths of Scripture, such as those concerning proper conduct or the nature of authority [1]. John Gill, in his commentary on 1 Timothy, notes that such false teachers often "despised dominion or government," whether civil, ecclesiastical, or familial, encouraging disobedience [1]. This highlights how deviations from sound doctrine can have practical implications for Christian living and societal order [1].
The author of Hebrews similarly cautions against being "carried about with divers and strange doctrines" [3]. The term "divers" suggests a multitude of varying teachings, which can include the rites and ceremonies of the law, the traditions of elders, or various human philosophies [3]. In contrast, the doctrine derived from the Scriptures, from Christ, and from His apostles is presented as unified and consistent, "all of a piece" [3]. These "strange doctrines" are those that disagree with the perfections of God, the person and offices of Christ, and the truth of the Scriptures [3].
The emphasis on divine teaching does not negate the role of human instruction, but rather places it within the context of God's overarching plan for spiritual knowledge. While the external and public ministry of the word is a standing ordinance under the Gospel dispensation, and believers can instruct one another, the ultimate source of knowledge is God [7]. The prophecy in Hebrews 8:11, "And they shall not teach every man his neighbour... saying, Know the Lord," is not meant to abolish the ministry of the word, but to emphasize that in the new covenant, there will be an internal, spiritual knowledge of God that transcends mere human instruction [7]. This suggests a deeper, more personal apprehension of divine truth that complements, rather than replaces, external teaching [7].
The Role of the Spirit in Understanding Doctrine
The cultivation of a deeper understanding of biblical doctrine is intrinsically linked to the work of the Holy Spirit. While human teachings can convey information, true spiritual and experimental knowledge of divine truths comes when human instruction is "attended with the spirit of wisdom and revelation" [5]. The truths of the Gospel are described as "hidden wisdom" and "the wisdom of God in a mystery," which remain obscure to those without spiritual insight [5]. The Bible, though accessible, is considered a "sealed book" whose doctrines are "riddles and dark sayings" until the Spirit of God makes them effectual [5].
This spiritual illumination is crucial for moving beyond a superficial or merely intellectual grasp of doctrine to a profound, transformative understanding [5]. Calvin, in his commentary on Isaiah, speaks of the "unspeakable mercy of God" in preserving those who uphold the kingdom of Christ against opposing forces [6]. He encourages believers to "seize eagerly" the doctrine provided by God's gifts, viewing it as "armor fitted for repelling our enemies" [6]. This perspective underscores the practical and defensive utility of sound doctrine, which is not merely an academic pursuit but a vital resource for spiritual warfare and the preservation of the Church [6].
The process of spiritual growth and deeper understanding is not solely a human endeavor but is initiated and sustained by God [2]. The exhortation to "go on" or "be carried on" to maturity implies that God actively works in believers to foster their growth [2]. This divine initiative ensures that the pursuit of deeper doctrine is not a self-reliant humanistic project, but a Spirit-led journey into the inexhaustible wisdom of God [2]. The ultimate goal is not merely to accumulate knowledge, but to experience a spiritual transformation that aligns one's understanding and life with the unified and consistent truth of God's word [3, 5].
Sources
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 6:3: If any man teach otherwise,.... Or another doctrine, as the Syriac version renders it; a doctrine different from what the apostle had now taught, concerning the duty of servants to their masters; as did the false teachers, who despised dominion or government; not only civil government, and so spoke evil of rulers and magistrates; and church government, and therefore reviled the apostles, elders, and pastors of churches; but family government, and encouraged disobedience to parents and masters; see Pe2 2:10 or teach another doctrine, from that of the Bible, of Chris”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 6:1: 6:1-3 In light of the hearers’ immaturity (5:11-14), the author urges them to move beyond basic teachings. The six basic teachings here were all foundational elements of Jewish instruction. The author might be challenging them to move beyond these basic teachings to further understanding about the person of Christ, which he elaborates in 7:1–10:25. 6:1 Let us go on: Or Let us be carried on, suggesting that God initiates growth to maturity (Phil 2:12-13) and that it is an ongoing process. • Repenting and faith are the basic commitments that initiate a person to the”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines,.... The word "divers" may denote the variety and multitude of other doctrines; referring either to the various rites and ceremonies of the law, or to the traditions of the elders, or to the several doctrines of men, whether Jews or Gentiles; whereas the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ, and his apostles, is but one; it is uniform, and all of a piece; and so may likewise denote the disagreement of other doctrines with the perfections of God, the person and offices of Christ, the Scriptures of truth, the anal”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 5:13: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age,.... Or perfect; see Co1 2:6. This does not intend a perfection of justification; for though some have a greater degree of faith than others, and a clearer discovery of their justification, yet babes in Christ are as perfectly justified as more grown and experienced believers; nor a perfection of sanctification, for there is no perfection of holiness but in Christ; and though the work of sanctification may be in greater perfection in one saint than in another, yet all are imperfect in this life; and as to a perfe”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:6: That the generation to come might know them,.... Not only notionally, but spiritually and experimentally; which is the case, when human teachings are attended with the spirit of wisdom and revertion in the knowledge of divine truths; for the truths of the Gospel are unknown to men; the Gospel is hidden wisdom, the wisdom of God in a mystery; the Bible is a sealed book, the doctrines of it are riddles and dark sayings; the ministry of the word is the means of knowledge, which become effectual when attended with the Spirit and power of God: even the children which sho”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 2.3: others are blinded by the glimmering of this age. There are very few of them who, in defense of the kingdom of Christ, oppose the tyrannical laws of Antichrist. Let us therefore welcome those who, through the unspeakable mercy of God, are left to us; or rather let us welcome the gifts which God has given them, that hereafter, as far as we shall have opportunity, we may provide for the Church. While we can enjoy their doctrine, let us seize it eagerly as the armor fitted for repelling our enemies; for there is great reason to believe that the L”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 8:11: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour,.... The Alexandrian copy reads, "citizen"; that is, fellow citizen; and so the Syriac and Arabic versions: "and every man his brother, saying, know the Lord": this is not to be understood, so as to set aside the external and public ministry of the word, which is a standing ordinance of God under the Gospel dispensation; or even the, private instructions of saints one to another, in Christian conversation, whereby they may build up one another in their most holy faith; but the sense is, that men should not only teach, ”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 5:1: My son, attend unto my wisdom,.... Not the wisdom of the world or of the flesh, worldly wisdom and carnal policy; but spiritual and evangelical wisdom; such as one that is greater than Solomon has in him, even Christ; "for in him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge", Col 2:3; and which he teaches and communicates to others, even all proper instructions for conduct in life: the Gospel, and each of the doctrines of it, which are "the wisdom of God in a mystery", Co1 2:7, these every child of God, and disciple of Christ, ought carefully and diligently to atten”