What’s Plaguing the Church – Lack of Deeds, or Creeds?

This is not really a full post, but just something to chew on over the weekend. One of the things the White Horse Inn fellows discussed more than once this past year as they covered the letter to the Romans was the issue of deeds over creeds…placing a higher priority on good works than emphasizing right doctrine.

I have seen a criticism of the church being that it needs to do more out in the world…that it is not doing enough good deeds to make a difference. I would put forth – after hearing it many times from others – that practicing good works (deeds) apart from Christ is nothing more than pagan ritual. In other words, absent correct doctrine, all the good deeds in the world amount to nothing more than a worldly social gospel that has no foundation in the true gospel.

I agree with the White Horse Inn guys that employing a motto such as ‘Deeds, not Creeds’, is a terrible thing to do, and does nothing to unite the church or further the kingdom. I would say that true good works flow from correct doctrine…and not apart from it. Correct doctrine fosters biblical unity, as well. Joining hands with the enemy of my enemy for the sake of tackling some social problem reduces the church to a platform, when it should be a prophetic voice.