p. 29 | DOCTRINE by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 18, 1878

DOCTRINE

By Dudley Marvin Canright

“The word ‘doctrine’ means, anything that is taught; but in Scripture it is used principally to denote a Heaven-revealed truth. A doctrinal truth is one which the Bible proposes to our belief. A doctrinal precept is a something to be acted upon, and requiring man’s obedience. Looking carefully through the sacred volume, I find little or no difference between the doctrines and the truths therein stated. Indeed, doctrine and truth, in sacred language, are identical. Much Scripture might be quoted here to sustain our proposition, but I will let the reader search and see for himself. If I am right, then when ministers cease to preach doctrine they will cease to ‘preach the word;’ for God’s ‘word is truth,’ God’s word is sacred doctrine.

“Now why has modern preaching become so inefficient, so powerless? I answer, The truth, the doctrine—which is the word—is not preached. Sharp, clear-visioned men in all denominations see this. Thus the Inquirer (Unitarian) says: ‘Theologians are loose and indefinite in their fundamental positions. Preaching has become sentimental, superficial, illogical, contradictory, unsystematic, and uninstructive. The interest that once belonged to it, as a solemn reasoning from clear and fixed data, has given place to that of sensational, entertaining, or emotional addresses, or to what are called, for lack of a better name, “practical” discourses, which avoid all doctrine as vain and useless, and devote themselves to superficial suggestions about morals and living—as if truth about God and human nature, and the attitude of the heart, will, and mind towards eternal principles were not at the root of all morals and all true life.’

“Here is a key unlocking the true character of very much of the pulpit work of these last days. Others see it, and the Observer (Presbyterian), quoting the above, adds, ‘There is wholesome food for reflection for other people than Unitarians in that sentence, and we set it in our own setting that it may do good to the orthodox also.’ In the same strain the South-eastern Advocate (Methodist) says: ‘The American style of preaching is radically wrong. It is favorable to rhetoric and oratory, but not to instruction. The Bible is used as a mere suggester of themes. Texts are chosen from it, but not to be expounded and enforced as the word of God. Preachers must give the people more gospel, or zeal in religion will never be revived.’ And the National Repository (Methodist) strikes at the evil and echoes the same alarm. It declares in plain terms that ‘doctrinal sermons are not often preached in our pulpits.’

“How, I ask, can the gospel be preached unless men preach the revealed truth, the written word? And when this is left out, when anecdotes and exhortations are substituted for expositions of Scripture, where is doctrine? President Wayland, many years ago, told the Baptists that their denomination would die when they ceased to preach its distinctive tenets and doctrines. Some have said that the reason why Mr. Moody has such great success is because he preaches so little doctrine. The Examiner and Chronicle (Baptist) says the fact is the very opposite, and that Mr. Moody’s sermons are steeped in doctrine.

“I suggest if it would not be well for the ministry in America to pause and inquire what doctrine is and then ascertain whether or not they are preaching it? When they have re-investigated this important question with prayer and carefulness, they will probably find that the doctrine of the Lord is perfect (Ps. 19:7); that Christ taught the doctrine (Mark 4:12 and 12:38); that all who do his will shall know what it is (John 7:17); that men are to continue in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42), which is the doctrine of the Lord (Acts 13:12); that all believers are to have a doctrine (1 Cor. 14:26); that ministers are to give attendance and take heed to their doctrine (1 Tim. 4:13, 16); that such are to labor in doctrine (chap. 5:17); that doctrine is to be according to godliness (1 Tim. 6:3); that all Scripture is profitable for doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16). Finally, that it is God’s doctrine (Titus 2:10), Christ’s doctrine (Heb. 6:1), good doctrine (1 Tim. 4:6), sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).

“It is not safe or sound to substitute anything for this. Therefore, brethren, study doctrine, and preach doctrine. It is the gospel of men’s salvation.”

The above, by D. T. Taylor, is worthy of careful study. There is mighty power in sound doctrinal preaching. When we leave this we lose our strength. We must not be sneered, scared, nor coaxed out of this mode of work. It is God’s plan. Let us stick to it.

D. M. CANRIGHT.