The Story Behind the Doctrine: Part Four - Mezzanine Discussion

11.20 [Discussion] The Story Behind the Doctrine: Part Four - Mezzanine Discussion - Stephen and Eric recap the sermon series and discuss the four main ways doctrine tends to be  misunderstood aka 'The Four Flips'. Eric plugs the BEMA podcast and finally opens up the conversation with four questions:

1. What do you think of when you hear the word doctrine? Have you ever thought of doctrine as being rooted in story?

2. Doctrine is often misunderstood as being detached from reality. What are some ways you’ve seen doctrine play out in real time and in very real, concrete ways?

3. In the series it was mentioned that doctrine isn’t about finding answers but is actually more about being immersed in the mysterious. How might learning to rest in mystery and paradox inform our lives for the better?

4. At certain moments in history, doctrine was used as a means of abuse and control (Inquisitions, etc…) However, doctrine’s earliest origins actually have more to do with maintaining human freedom in the face of a totalitarian controlling state. How might a deeper understanding of the early origins of doctrine instill freedom, courage and wholeness within each of us?

 

In our present day, the idea of ‘doctrine’ is often understood to be an unwavering set of rules rigidly enforced by the self proclaimed ‘doctrine police’. And so, the word itself carries with it a certain degree of baggage and may even bring to mind horrific images of historic inquisitions. But, what if we went back, stood alongside early Christians and immersed ourselves in the nuanced story of Christ? What would happen if we were able to understand how a dry word like doctrine might actually be referring to the distillation of a vast story? The story of God’s intervention on behalf of his creation with the key plot points aka ‘doctrine’ compelling humanity towards a greater fullness and deeper hope even amidst the chaos of our contemporary world.