Church Doctrine and the Bible: Theology in Ancient Context
You know the doctrines, but are they biblical?
Too often, Christians are content to state a doctrine, list a few supporting Bible passages, and proceed on to the next. But are these doctrines truly derived from the Bible, or are we slotting verses into our pre-determined theological grids?
In Church Doctrine and the Bible, biblical scholar David Instone-Brewer applies his expertise in first-century backgrounds and culture to popular Christian doctrines. Peeling away thousands of years of theological development reveals how the Bible’s original hearers would have understood these doctrines and helps us resolve some of our doctrinal disputes and misunderstandings. Through this process, Instone-Brewer answers the question, “is this doctrine biblical?”
Church Doctrine and the Bible will help pastors, theologians, and laypersons see familiar doctrines with fresh, first-century, eyes. By restoring the revolutionary simplicity of the Bible’s teachings, we gain new insights into these doctrines and what they mean for the church today.
The Scripture in Context series is driven by the conviction that there is nothing as exciting, direct, provocative, and spiritually enlightening as the Bible when we read it as it was meant to be read. Each book in the series dives into the ancient cultural context behind Bible passages, examining the effect this context had on what the Bible writers were saying and how we should understand their words today. When we read the Bible in light of its context, it is anything but boring. Instead, God’s word can speak to us as powerfully as it did to those who first read it.
Top Highlights
“Its purpose was to cleanse you from ceremonial impurities, rather than to wash off the dirt.” (Page 20)
“We should instead conclude that David wouldn’t have dared ask for God’s forgiveness if he had not already begged forgiveness from Bathsheba. If he had not done this, God would know that he wasn’t yet truly repentant.” (Page 186)
“He had called on God to do the impossible—to throw down his own mountain, his own fruitless fig tree—and it happened. Jesus wasn’t telling his disciples to make showy or frivolous demands of God by moving mountains. He was teaching them to pray for the things that God has already said he wants to do to advance his kingdom, even when they seem as impossible as the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, which had served its purpose.” (Page 108)
“John frequently includes these extra words to explain what it means: when we ask God for something, we are asking as servants of Jesus. This means we don’t ask for whatever we feel like having: we ask for things that Jesus wants.” (Pages 108–109)
“When Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod in 1752, the pope recommended it, but many churches refused to install one. They believed that it interfered with God’s sovereign right to strike down sinners.” (Page 83)
- Introduction
- Finding Doctrine in the Bible is Difficult
- Section 1: Doctrines that Divide
- The Role of Tradition
- Baptism
- Church Governance
- The Rapture
- Free Will
- Inerrancy
- The Virgin Birth
- Church Divisions
- Section 2: Doctrines that Confuse
- Proof Texts
- Acts of God
- Remarriage
- Original Sin
- Miracles
- Prayer
- Omnipotence
- Providence
- Unforgivable Sin
- Hell
- Section 3: Doctrines that Matter
- Trinity
- Sacrifice
- Jesus’ Punishment for Sin
- Redemption
- New Life
- Repentance
- Justification and Good Works
- Saving Faith
- Core Beliefs
- Title: Church Doctrine and the Bible: Theology in Ancient Context
- Author: David Instone-Brewer
- Series: Scripture in Context
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2020
- Pages: 200
- Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
- Trim Size: 5x8
- ISBN: 9781683593768
Dr. David Instone-Brewer graduated from South Wales Baptist College with the highest marks in that college’s history, and later earned his PhD from Cambridge University, where he studied early rabbinic exegesis. Dr. Instone-Brewer ministered at the Llanishen Baptist Church in Cardiff for five years, and is now research fellow and technical officer for Tyndale House, which is, arguably, among the three best libraries in the world for biblical studies.
Specializing in rabbinic studies, Dr. Instone-Brewer has been a regular contributor to Christianity magazine, and has written several books, including Traditions of the Rabbis from the Era of the New Testament.
