When can a doctrine be considered truly biblical?

Answer

A doctrine can only be considered truly biblical when it is explicitly taught in the Bible. An issue could be unbiblical (opposed to the teachings of the Bible), extra-biblical (outside of or not mentioned in the Bible), biblically based (connected to the teachings of the Bible), or biblical.

An unbiblical doctrine is any teaching that stands opposed to the Bible’s clear instruction. For instance, a belief that Jesus sinned is unbiblical. It contradicts what the Bible teaches in various passages, including Hebrews 4:15: “We have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”

An extra-biblical doctrine would be any teaching that is not explicitly stated in the Bible. It can be either positive or negative. For example, participating in a democratic election is a commendable practice, but it is not directly commanded in the Bible. Observing certain holidays is often morally neutral: “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind” «One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. », (Romans 14:5). Any teaching regarding the observance of Lent, for instance, falls into the category of extra-biblical.

Other teachings may be derived from biblical principles, even if not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. For instance, smoking is never directly addressed in the Bible. However, we can argue that the practice should be avoided, based on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you. . . . You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” When a biblical principle is applicable, we can confidently present it as a biblically based doctrine.

Biblical doctrines, therefore, are teachings explicitly taught in the Bible.

Examples of these include God’s creation of the heavens and earth «In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. », (Genesis 1:1), the sinfulness of all people (Romans 3), the virgin birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:20-25;Luke 1:26-38), the physical death and literal resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-11), salvation by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), the inspiration of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and many others.

Problems occur when people confuse these categories. For example, to teach that the virgin birth is an optional doctrine that Christians are free to believe or not believe is to reject a core teaching of the Bible. It presents a biblical doctrine as non-essential. Then there are those who present extra-biblical teachings as if they were biblical doctrines. A person’s opinions and preferences are given the weight of God’s law; this happens sometimes in matters of clothing, music style, and food choice. When we “teach as doctrines the commandments of men” « Howbeit in vain do they worship me, Teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. », (Mark 7:7), we become like the Pharisees whom Jesus strongly condemned.

Our goal must be to speak clearly and firmly when Scripture is plain. In extra-biblical matters, we must be careful to avoid dogmatism. As many have said, in the essentials unity; in the non-essentials, diversity; in all things, charity.