In 1976 a Church of England report stated that Christians' loyalty is to God through Jesus, not to any exact doctrinal formulations. In other words doctrine should follow understanding. Church doctrine should not be the lens through which we interpret scripture. Enforcement of doctrine by the gatekeepers acts as a barrier in some churches to developing our understanding and application of our faith.
The false emphasis placed on rigid adherence to doctrine is apparent in the treatment of officers in The Salvation Army and in the current disagreement in the Anglican Communion over blessings of individuals in same sex marriages by the Church of England.
Without research I would be hard pressed to express the doctrinal differences between Methodists, Baptists, The Salvation Army, the United Reformed Church etc never mind the divisions within some denominations.
No comments:
Post a Comment