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Will the Theologians Please Sit Down  /  Chapter 14: The Problem with Doctrianity  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 6
The chapter claims both sides assumed “they knew more than the faithful Christians who had preceded them” and that “the essence of Christianity was theology, not an obedient love-faith relationship with Christ”; where do modern Christians (including evangelicals) subtly communicate that Christianity is mainly getting the concepts right rather than obeying Jesus?
Another way to ask: How do Christians today subtly act like Christianity is mainly about getting the right concepts instead of obeying Jesus?

Direct Answer Based on the chapter’s logic, modern Christians communicate this whenever they treat Christianity as primarily having the right system, labels, or arguments—while obedience, love-faith, and visible fruit are treated as optional or secondary.

Support from Transcript:

  • Bercot says Catholics and Arians agreed they “knew more than the faithful Christians who had preceded them,” implying an attitude of superiority rooted in theology.
  • He states they were “of one mind that the essence of Christianity was theology, not an obedient love-faith relationship with Christ.”
  • He ties this to action: they supported unified church and state and believed it was right “to persecute and murder heretics,” showing how “concepts” can override Jesus’ way.
  • The phrase “Study me” replacing “Follow me” suggests a culture where mastery of ideas becomes central.
  • Bercot’s practical test of discipleship is ethical: followers of Jesus don’t abandon the weak, don’t exploit the starving, and don’t retaliate violently.
Discussion Follow-ups In what ways do church life and Christian identity get measured by agreement and tribe rather than obedience? What would it look like to make “follow me” the center of evangelism and discipleship?

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