#aversion_to_doctrines
#all_doctrines_but_no_Love
Some pastors do hear remarks like – “what’s
the use of doctrines, they don’t help your men to pray,” “all doctrines but no
love,” and similar snide remarks are thrown at them not infrequently.
Needless to say, I have my fair share; the matter has also perplexed me.
I first heard of the remark some 30 years ago
while I was a student at FEBC, Singapore in 1987-8. I was attending an RB
church then. I still remember hearing some women in the church making similar
remarks. I didn’t understand then, and I still don’t know what to make of it
now. So, I thought a good way is to give some thoughts to it.
1. Some general thoughts on such remarks
a. I don’t know whether the snide remarks are
directed at the pastor/teacher as an individual, or it is levelled against the
church as a body? Is the preacher “all doctrine and no love” or is the church
that he ministers “all doctrine but no love”?
Whichever, it is completely possible that the
man falls far short of both; he is not a loving man, and his feeble ministry
has failed miserably in producing a loving church as per the expectation of
some. In which case, he should be willing and ready to tender his sincere
apology for his grievous personal shortcoming, as well as his ministry’s dismal
failure to produce a loving church. Perhaps the church should gently suggest to
him to leave the ministry, and look for a loving man whose ministry is capable
of producing a loving church!
b. The second greatest commandment is indeed
“love thy neighbour as thyself.” Perhaps, the pastor/teacher may not even love
himself much and that may likely explain why he fails to love much. No, I don't
think he is excusing himself for his grievous lack of bubbly love. Perhaps, he
is just insensitive to not being loved, so he doesn’t whine and bitches about
not being loved by others in the church. However, he is probably deeply
thankful to the Lord for every expression of love shown to him; also, he likely
rejoices to see the expression of love among God’s children. Bickering among
God’s children and devouring one another are reproaches unto the Lord; they
(i.e. the bickering and devouring) grieve the pastor no end.
c. Surely, every church has some kind of
doctrines; even biblical doctrines that have been twisted and perverted are
still doctrines – statements of beliefs. Every church has some beliefs
concerning the Persons and works of Christ even if they are inconsistent with
what the Scriptures declare, rightly divided, that is. Cancerous bones are
still bones. It may be true that a church may have become so woolly there is
very little preaching on doctrines; instead, it majors on practical how-to
subjects without being based soundly on biblical doctrines. Such is
antithetical of the Apostolic pattern, which is always the doctrines first,
then followed by the “therefore.”
d. Doctrines, i.e. biblical doctrines, are
objective; one is either right or wrong about it. Not a few sincere Christians
loathe biblical doctrines because they feel that biblical doctrines are too
exact for their liking. Also, they have the misguided notion that doctrines
divide but love unites; they think doctrines split their hairs, whereas love
binds their hearts.
Besides, they see little practical values in
sound doctrines, in addition to thinking of them being divisive. They forget
one basic reality, that believing God’s truth rightly honours Him as much as
obeying His word. Believing wrongly is tantamount to bearing false witness.
e. Love, i.e. biblical love is also objective
in that it has definite character and attributes, not just some fuzzy vacuous
sentimental feelings, read 1Cor 13:4-7. But a whole set of subjective elements
are ALSO involved here; how love is felt and experienced is largely subjective.
One who has a high expectation, he would feel largely unloved, even though he
is loved, perhaps not in the manner expected. It would be hard to believe that
there is no love among Christians in a church. Is there any reason left to
remain in such a loveless church?
2. Some possible explanations for such
remarks
a. The kind souls who make those remarks are
likely the loving and tender-hearted children of God; it likely pains them to
see the lack of love among the other saints, thus explaining their “all
doctrine but no love.” Loving people feel terribly disheartened in an unloving
place just as tidy folks feel distraught in a dirty environment.
b. It is also possible that the love of these
kind souls has generously shown to other saints is not reciprocated or
appreciated or praised, and they felt it very keenly. Any sensible souls would
feel discouraged when their loving-kindness does not move others to imitate
them.
c. Perhaps they may have experienced much
better church fellowship where there is much more love than that of their
present church.
d. The ministry of the word majoring on
doctrines alone may also have prompted such remarks. If indeed true, then that
is a fault that surely needs to be corrected. After all, the profitability of
the inspired Scriptures extends beyond doctrines; it included training in
righteousness as well as reproof and corrections.
e. Perhaps there is an aversion to biblical
doctrines; many Christians are averse to doctrines because they require mental
exertion to grasp and understand. Mental laziness is a debilitating disease
that should not be taken lightly. Churchianity will replace Christianity soon
enough if mental laziness prevails.
3. Some suggestions to overcome the “all
doctrines but no love” evil
a. At the personal level: perhaps, those who
say there is no love, exert themselves to love a bit more, and pray that their
example may move others to do the same. This is not going to be easy since
their love has not been reciprocated thus far. But have patience; show by your
loving examples to revive the fellow saints in the church.
b. Remind and encourage the pastor to preach
less on doctrine, and more on love, besides praying for him. Give him
suggestions on specific practical subjects that you think will motivate people
to be loving.
c. Meanwhile, search the internet to look for
messages that are full of love and no doctrine to compensate for the “all
doctrines but no love” situation. Discreetly recommend it to the pastor to
listen as well as to others whom you believe may be helped to be loving. This
will somewhat compensate for the deficiency of the existing ministry and
loveless situation in the church.
d. Actively work towards getting a
pastor/teacher whose ministry has proven to produce loving people, assuming you
still love the loveless church enough to remain and labour to revive it. It is
certain that the present pastor, who is keenly aware of his own deficiency,
would be so delighted to have such a servant of God to minister to the church
he loves dearly.
e. If all the above fail to turn the loveless
church around, then you must be kind to yourselves and LEAVE the church; yes,
leave the church orderly and peaceably; don’t waste your love any longer on a
loveless people. That may be the best decision for the good of your own soul,
for “evil communications corrupt good manners.” Continuing with such loveless
people may corrupt and extinguish your bright love for the brethren and make you loveless like them. That is a tragedy you must avoid for yourself.
f. Don't ever join a perfect church; your
membership in it will inevitably ruin its perfection right away.
Just some random thoughts.
