03 March 2009

Sound Doctrine

"But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine [lit. healthy teaching]" --Titus 2:1

What is sound doctrine? Paul goes on to explain.

- sobriety, dignity, self-control, faith, love, steadfastness among older men (v. 2)
- reverence, temperance, self-control, love for children, purity among older women (vv. 3-5)
- self-control among younger men (v. 6)
- exemplary good works, integrity, dignity in Titus' own ministry (vv. 7-8)
- submissiveness, compliance, faithfulness among slaves (vv. 9-10)

That is sound doctrine. This is not to exclude what we more traditionally think of as sound doctrine--the next 4 verses (2:11-14) comprise one of the most doctrinally robust passages in Paul's letters. But even there, the point is godly living.

Right theology without godly living does not make the right theology incomplete; it is not right theology.

No comments: