Doctrine is important to anyone intent on pleasing God and helping others to please God. Religion without doctrine is like a human body without a skeletal system. A coherent body of belief that reflects the thinking of God must be the starting point if our lives are to be lived differently and have impact. See how Paul put it in 1 Timothy 4:16: Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. It is clear that life and doctrine go hand in hand. Both must receive careful attention. Whoever first said they are like the two wings of an airplane was on the right track. Try to have the right life without doctrine and you will end up with some sort of mushy moralism that will neither help people nor please God. On the other hand, become a doctrinal expert and give no attention to your own inner personyour heart and your attitudesand you will do more harm than good. Prepared to Answer is designed to help us be confident and knowledgeable without being arrogant.
