Dogma, Doctrine or Theological Opinion?

A recent email from a colleague and friend has pushed me to clarify my thinking in an area where I have been ruminating for some months now. His query came as a request to explain more fully a brief conversation we had a few days ago. Thanx, Paul, for the push! And, thanx, too, to Roger E. Olson, in The Story of Christian Theology, Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform. It was reading in his book that pushed me to thinking about these matters and to adopt the distinctions that he makes. I have, as a result of that, shared these ideas with some of my classes as well as in an address in chapel at CTS.

This is the answer I gave to my friend: "In regards to the distinction between dogma and doctrine: in reality, other terms could be used; others have, in fact, reversed the way I choose to use those terms. But the philosophical basis for the distinction is that of coming to an understanding of the difference between those things which are basic -- essential -- to Christian belief and those things which are in the realm of the practice of those beliefs. My observation is that the Church -- in all ages -- has mistaken the one for the other or has reversed the order of priority. This has led to much of what causes discord and separation in the Church. If we can understand the essential things -- God, the Trinity, man's sinful condition, the incarnation, the resurrection, the whole necessity of salvation -- and accept the differences which happen because of culture, language and history, then we can come to accept our 'brethren of like precious faith' and rejoice with them that God has come down to us to save us from the consequences of our sin." Sometimes, parts of the Church have mistaken -- and elevated! -- practice to the place of the essentials with the result that much suffering and anguish has followed which has held back the accomplishment of the plan of God for our world, which is that we come to love Him and serve Him.

It is a valid observation to say that Christian beliefs are not all on the same level of importance. Some Christian beliefs should be classified as Dogma, that is, of the highest importance. This would include beliefs such as that of the Trinity and the incarnation of Christ. Some beliefs are of lesser importance and could be classified as doctrine. These are beliefs that few groups of Christians would consider essential in order to count as “Christians”, but which are, rather, tests of fellowship: baptism by immersion or by sprinkling; speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of Holy Spirit baptism. Some beliefs are only theological opinions. These are individual interpretations or the understanding of limited groups: the exact nature of angels, the details surrounding the return of Christ, which version of the Bible is the most trustworthy, for instance.

Where are we living in our understanding of Christian belief? Do we give more weight to Dogma or to doctrine? Or, are we caught up in our theological opinions? The historical Church dealt with such issues by labelling them as Truth, practice and heresy!

Profdifficile.