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The Historic Faith
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Will the Theologians Please Sit Down  /  Chapter 25: To which religion do you belong  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 10
Bercot says theologians “nullify most of Christ’s commandments” using “language bullying, counterfeit history, and the claim that they truly know the historic faith,” yet he also says, “I don’t mean…throw away the theological doctrines of the historic faith.” How can a church or study group honor historic Christian doctrine while refusing to let doctrine function as a shield against Jesus’s direct demands for obedient love and concrete mercy?
Another way to ask: How can a church respect historic Christian doctrine but not use doctrine as an excuse to avoid Jesus’s clear commands to love, obey, and show mercy?

Direct Answer Based on Bercot’s teaching, a church can honor historic doctrine while refusing “Doctrinity” by keeping doctrine in its proper place—never using it to explain away Jesus’ plain words—and by letting the Gospels’ demands for abiding obedience and Matthew 25 fruit be the practical test of faith.

Support from Transcript:

  • He clarifies his target: “I don’t mean that we need to throw away the theological doctrines of the historic faith. By no means.”
  • His concern is function: doctrine becomes wrong when it “filter[s] his teachings” through “denials, mental gymnastics, and reinterpretations.”
  • He urges: “let Jesus speak through the pages of the Gospels” without theologians controlling the meaning.
  • He says theologians redirect Judgment Day away from “kingdom fruit” toward “the right theological answers,” making doctrine a shield.
  • He defines true Christianity as “maintain[ing] an obedient love, faith relationship with Jesus,” with abiding measured by keeping commandments.
  • He ends with a practical call: “It’s time for the children of the kingdom to stand up for Jesus and the Gospel he preached.”
Discussion Follow-ups What habits would ensure your group asks, “How do we obey this?” before, “How do we defend this?” How could doctrine be taught in a way that consistently produces Matthew 25-style mercy rather than replacing it?

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