Proclaiming sound doctrine

By Pastor John Lamont

Few, if any, will disagree with the statement that we are living in the last days of the Church. Such days are characterized, according to the apostle Paul, as 'perilous times' (2 Timothy 3:1). The NEW LIVING TRANSLATION reads "...in the last days there will be very difficult times". One becomes aware of the seriousness of the times of the last days when the apostle writes, "This know also...” Or, translated by another, "You must realize this...." "But understand this...." This is an emphatic command. 

These last days, the apostle warns his son in the faith, will be days of godlessness. The aging apostle is painfully aware that, within the professing Church, there will be the necessity of teaching the Scriptures amid doctrinal error and a need for holiness of life.

There will be "perilous times". The word perilous means 'hard', 'difficult', 'hard to deal with', 'violent', 'dangerous', or 'menacing'. In classical Greek the word chalepos was used of dangerous animals or a raging sea. The only other use of the word in the NEW TESTAMENT is in Matthew 8:28. Matthew describes the two Gadarene demoniacs as 'so fierce', chalepos. Such gives an understanding of the seasons of the last days. Such days will be both perilous and painful. The word suggests that there will be no way out of the problems and perplexities. We are reminded of a newspaper headline that described a meeting of Canada's provincial premiers who met to discuss the challenges of our country. It read, 'BIG GUNS DRAW BLANK'. No way out--perilous times. 

In such circumstances, then, it is a challenge to every follower of the Lord Jesus Christ to so live, so witness, so preach, so wait as if at any moment we may see the Lord's return for His Bride the Church. Too, it is in the prediction of these perilous times that the apostle turns his attention to doctrinal soundness. In verse 3 of 2 Timothy chapter 4, he writes, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine...." What is sound doctrine? The word 'sound' means 'healthful', that is, doctrine that brings about health to the soul. The Authorized Version omits the definite article 'the'. The article is important. It is 'the sound doctrine'. Such 'sound doctrine' plays a very important part in the epistles.

 
'Sound doctrine' is the healthful, useful, and practical teaching that finds its source in the Word of God. Such is for the edification or building up of the true believer. As the apostle points out in Ephesians 4: 12, the ministry gifts are for the "edifying [building up] of the Body of Christ. The ultimate goal of the varied gifts is to establish and build up the Church. The ultimate goal of 'sound doctrine' is to establish and build up the Church.

It is interesting to note in passing that, because some will not endure 'healthful teaching', Timothy was instructed to persist in his teaching and be prepared to 'endure suffering'. Whenever 'sound doctrine' becomes unpopular, opposition is sure to follow with the attendant danger of compromise on the part of those teaching the Word.

In his discussion, the apostle expresses his thought negatively and positively and states it twice: they will not endure 'sound doctrine', and, positively, will heap [accumulate or multiply] teachers having 'itching ears', that is, to suit their own liking. 'Sound doctrine’ will not be tolerated. As one commentator puts it, there will be 'an itch' for novelty. Here is an 'itch' for the novel, which is met by novel teachers. 'Sound doctrine' is rejected. Their preference is their own desires or lusts. In other words, the criterion for judging a teacher is not the Word of God, but rather ones own tastes or desires. The matter becomes even worse when such do not first listen and then decide what is true. First, they decide what they want to hear and then invite teachers who will give what they desire to hear. 

Finally, there will always be those who deny 'sound doctrine'. They are in pulpits today and have been in the past. However, the denial of 'sound doctrine' is done in a more subtle way today. To deny the fundamentals of the faith has always been with us. For this we are prepared. Is the Church prepared for the more subtle denial it is experiencing today? The danger we are witnessing today is the substituting of experience for the Word of God. Experience is replacing the objective Word. In the lives of many professing Christians, experience has become the authority, and the authoritative Word has been, in many cases, set aside. 'Sound doctrine' is being replaced by experience. We must not make the tragic mistake of teaching the experiences of the apostles. We must experience the teachings of the apostles, the 'sound doctrine'.

To meet the challenges of the last days, the Church does not primarily need new and innovative programs (although such are necessary), novel attractions and entertainment. If the Church is to meet the need of its own edification and the need of the world both at home and abroad, there must be a return to 'sound doctrine'. Without a sound foundation there is no foundation and no building up. 

Let us heed the word of the aged apostle, "Preach (proclaim or announce) the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:2).