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What’s Plaguing the Church – Lack of Deeds, or Creeds?
Posted by Brian Thornton on January 13, 2007
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.
Ched said
I would say that true good works flow from correct doctrine…and not apart from it
I think you’re right on with this.
Mark said
I would agree that doctrine is extremly important. But do you think that Christ’s life was spent just teaching doctrine, or out doing while teaching doctrine? I myself have called for more action of the church, but I would never call that action to be apart form sound doctrine. I think that we must always remember why we do something; to build the Kingdom. I think there is a time to learn sound doctrine, then there comes a time to go and do what one has learned, no? Can my life be measured as “a good and faithful servant” in the end if all I do is attend church, learn doctrine, give my tithe, and maintain a good christain life, but never venture past that? Maybe I do not understand what you mean by “true good works flow from correct doctrine.” I know that in every avenue of life we can learn something but yet never apply it. I can teach you how to build a house, but to what end if you never go and build one? The saying “you lose it if you do not use it” applies to sound doctrine never used, don’t you think? I think Christ taught us that there needs to be a balance between the two, not an either or situation. What do you think?
Mark said
P.S. For the record, If your “deed or creed” statment is directed towards salvation, good works will not cut it. The Bible is clear on how one can be saved. But as a person matures in the faith, I think, there comes a time when one must go and do. Someone trying to seek salvation through good deeds I fear will be disappointed in the end.
Brian Thornton said
Hi Mark,
I never intended my remarks to be taken that creeds should replace deeds. If you read what I said, I talked about proper deeds flowing FROM correct doctrine…not being replaced by doctrine.
Thanks
Mark said
Hi Mr. Thorton, thank you for respomding to my question so quickly. I guess I am trying to really underdstand the “deeds, or creeds” debate. Please do not take my qestions in a bad light, I am looking for greater understanding myself, and you guys seem very soildly rooted with great accountibility(very important to me as I seek understanding)That said, I am not here to argue but to learn. I had the veiw point that the orginal debate (deeds vs.creeds)centered on the path to salvation, but is there another debate on the same issues after that? Are there churches that just have their people do works and never teach the Bible? And what is your take on the prophetic voice? I agree with you that our faith IS not a social platform. Do you think that in order for the church to become directional (prophetic) it should be in motion itself?
Brian Thornton said
Mark,
I did not take your comments to be argumentative at all, so no worry on that.
As to your other questions, the answers would probably be quite long, and this may not be the right place to fully respond to them.
In short, the issue I was referring to involves the mindset of churhes such as Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, which stresses unity around deeds (works) rather than creeds (doctrine). That is why he will join forces and stand side by side with enemies to the gospel of Christ and allow them to stand in his pulpit…all for the sake of some social deed. The result is a ‘church’ that has become a platform rather than being prophetic (that last sentence are not my words…I must give credit to Ken Jones of the White Horse Inn).
Their (Saddleback) mindset is that doctrine divides, when in fact the truth is that correct doctrine unites. We need biblical unity…not some false fellowship in the name of curing some social ill.
To answer your other question: Yes, there ARE churches that never really teach the Bible but attempt to build unity and fellowship around good deeds apart from truth.
Mark said
Thanks! I love your site, I will be around no doubt.