The doctrine difference

Survey shows that having a biblical worldview changes the way evangelicals live | John Piper

God gives good press to doctrine. But surveys of evangelicals usually do not—until recently. In God's book, knowing His Son and believing true things about Him is transforming liberty. "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). God's self-revelation in the Bible is not a wax nose. It's firm. It's a standard. You measure truth by it (Romans 6:17). Our everlasting salvation is determined by whether we believe it: "Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son" (2 John 1:9). Depart from the doctrine, and you depart from Christ. Or, better, keep watch over your doctrine and "you will save . . . yourself" (1 Timothy 4:16).

That's high praise for good doctrine. You would think evangelicals would agree. But we are more likely to hear things like, "Christ unites; doctrine divides," or, "Ask, Whom do you trust?, not, What do you believe?" The minimization of biblical doctrine is common. But if we are not willing to get a high estimation of doctrine from God, perhaps we can get it from George Barna.