1.
UNIT I: Introduction
1.1. Meaning of Doctrines
The word “doctrine” is derived from as a Latin word doctrina, which means
teaching or instruction. Among the early Christians, the Greek words katachesis
(κατήχησις), didaskalia (Διδασκαλία ) and didache (Διδαχή) were used to
indicate “the act of teaching”, or “the knowledge imparted by teaching”. The
word katechesis (κατήχησις) signifies the instruction by word of mouth,
particularly using the method of question and answer.1 Therefore, it is
applicable to any subject matter, but commonly used to indicate religious
education, especially of the Christianity. This word occurs seven times in the
New Testament.2 It is applied in the early ecclesiastical writings to show both
the act of instructing and the subject-matter of the instruction. Therefore,
doctrine can be defined as a systematic explanation of religious principles,
propagated by the church as the content of its belief system.
Believing in Christ and accepting the church membership clearly reveal the fact
of accepting certain body of doctrine. Therefore, the Great Commission
highlights the importance of teaching as the duty of the Church, by advocating
to “teach them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you.” (Mat.
28:20). The New Testament reveals the insistence of the Apostles upon
“doctrine” as the major duty of a bishop (1Tim. 4:13, 16; 5: 17; 2Tim.4: 2, etc.).
There was a certain preliminary instruction to the converts even from the
beginning of the Christianity. The first Apology of St. Justin Martyr witnesses
the instruction given prior to the baptism.
As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true,
and undertake to be able to live accordingly, are instructed to pray and to
entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we
praying and fasting with them. Then they are brought by us where there is
water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were
ourselves regenerated.
1
The word is derived from its passive form word κατηχέω (katēcheō), which means to be instructed or
informed. The word κατά kata, means "down" and ἦχος ēkhos, means "sound" and therefore
κατηχούμενος katēkhoumenos is a person who receives instruction from a teacher especially about the
principles of the church.
2
This word occur in St. Luke’s Gospel (1:4) “That thou mayest know the verity of those things in which thou hast
been instructed” (katachethis, in quibus eruditus es). St. Luke’s uses it again in the Acts of Apostles (18: 25):
Apollo is described as “instructed (katachemenos, edoctus) in the way of the Lord”. St. Paul applied this word
two times in his epistle to Corinthians and Galatians: “I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that
I may instruct (katachiso, instruam) others also” (I Cor.14:19); and “Let him that is instructed (ho
katachoumenos, is qui catechizatur) in the word, communicate to him that instructeth (to katachounti, ei qui
catechizat) him, in all good things” (Gal.6: 6).
The period of Catechumenate is intended to prepare the candidate spiritually to
receive the indwelling of the Holy Ghost through baptism.
The main contents of the catechism in the early church were the fundamental
elements of Christian tradition such as Lord ’s Prayer, sacraments, Apostles’
creed etc. By the third century on wards, the period of catechumenate was long
up to 3 years and often accompanied by special prayers, exorcisms and other
rites. They received instruction in faith and morals and their manner of life.
During the fourth and fifth centuries, they were enrolled in different grades such
as “applicants” (competentes), “chosen” (electi), or “destined for illumination”
(photizomenoi) and their preparation for baptism underwent intensive training
especially during the final weeks of their catechumenate. Toward the end of the
catechumenate, the words of the creed were orally “handed over” to the
candidates (the traditio symboli; “hand over the Creed”) and then, a day or two
before Easter, “given back” (the redditio symboli; “give back the Creed”). In
addition to that the bishop would give a detailed teaching to the neophytes on
the mystical meaning of the rites and sacraments and which is called
“mystagogical catechesis”. By the sixth century, the number of infant baptism
increased and both the adult baptism and pre-baptismal catechesis began to
disappear. Therefore, the practice of instructing the doctrine of the church then
focused mainly to the Christians who were baptised as children. The witness of
St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. John Chrysostom, St. Augustine etc provide us
enough evidence that they were taught both the content of faith, importance of
ethical life, and after baptism about the mystical services, like Eucharist and
baptism.
In the ecclesiastical tradition, most of its doctrines were clarified in various
Ecumenical Councils. It is through doctrines that the church attempt to state its
content of faith and the substance of what is taught and the act of setting that
substance forth. Silence is also seen as appropriate in explaining the
transcendent mystery of God. Therefore, Christian doctrine can be regarded as a
human response to the divine revelation, but cannot be limited to a history of
humanly generated experience.
Even from the outset, the Christian doctrine comprises several elements,
occurred in several contexts and for several purposes. Not only in the
evangelization, it happened for the preparation of the candidates and for
strengthening them for proper worship and for ethical values in daily life.
Apologists and doctors of the church used it to guard the church against the
heretical teachings. The weightage of the ecclesiastical teaching may differ in
accordance with the authority it advocates. Therefore, the church dogma,
propounded by the universal ecumenical synods, as well as the theological
elucidation of the individuals may be referred as teachings, but they vary in its
importance. The ancient creeds of the church can be considered as the most
stable and widely recognised piece of the ecclesiastical doctrines. Therefore, its
permanent basis, the perennial functions, the levels of authority, the stable
pattern and the institutional vicissitudes are the various areas of theological
pursuit.
Holy Scripture can be considered as the source of all Christian doctrine, because
it remains as the primary witness to the apostolic preaching. But it should be
noted that there are doctrines and teachings related to the certain practices and
expressions of Christian faith are not explicitly mentioned in the Scripture. St.
Basil of Caesarea, one of the prominent Church Father and theologian of the 4 th
Century, indicated it clearly that “facing East for prayer, the renunciation of
Satan before baptism, the threefold immersion, the words for invoking the Spirit
over the bread and the cup” are of the apostolic origin, but not indicated in the
Bible. Therefore, both the oral and written traditions are valid witnesses of
Christian doctrines because our Lord Jesus Christ delivered his entire teaching
not in a written form, but orally to the disciples. The holy Apostles and the
church fathers received the divine messages by the inspiration and sometimes
by the dictation of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, most of the ecclesiastical
doctrines are well attested as well as founded in the Bible, but we cannot
confine the Scripture as the sole source of the Christian doctrines.
1.2. Nature of Doctrines:
The nature of doctrines can vary depending on the religion or religious
organization they belong to. However, there are some common characteristics
that most doctrines share:
Authoritative: Doctrines are often considered to be authoritative statements of
belief within a particular religion or religious community. They may be based
on religious texts or interpretations of religious texts, and they are often
affirmed by religious leaders or authorities.
Prescriptive: Doctrines typically provide guidance on how individuals should
live their lives within a particular religious framework. They may prescribe
specific behaviors or practices, as well as proscribing certain actions or beliefs.
Belief-oriented: Doctrines are concerned with beliefs and values, rather than
with practices or rituals. They may address theological questions such as the
nature of God, the afterlife, or the purpose of human existence.
Inflexible: Doctrines are often considered to be unchanging and non-negotiable
within a particular religious community. They may be seen as eternal truths that
are not subject to revision or modification.
Unifying: Doctrines can serve as a unifying force within a particular religious
community. They provide a shared set of beliefs and values that help to create a
sense of common identity among believers.
Overall, doctrines play an important role in shaping the beliefs and practices of
a particular religion or religious community. They provide a framework for
understanding and interpreting religious texts and traditions, and they help to
define the boundaries of a particular faith.
1.2.1. Theological constructs of Particular Communities in a
Particular Time:
Christian doctrine has often been perceived as a fixed and timeless body of
truths, unchanging across centuries. However, closer historical and theological
reflection reveals that Christian doctrine is articulated, formulated, and
transmitted through particular believing communities situated within specific
historical, cultural, and intellectual contexts. To say that Christian doctrine is a
theological construct of particular communities in a particular time is not to
deny its divine origin, but to recognize the dynamic process by which revealed
truth is received, interpreted, and expressed in history.
Doctrine and the Reality of Historical Context
Christian faith is rooted in the historical event of God’s self-revelation,
culminating in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. This revelation, while divine in
origin, enters human history and is encountered by concrete communities living
in specific times and places. The earliest Christian doctrines emerged within the
lived experience of the apostolic communities, shaped by Jewish traditions,
Greco-Roman culture, and the existential questions of the first century. As the
Church expanded geographically and culturally, doctrinal formulations evolved
in response to new challenges, including persecution, heretical interpretations,
and philosophical critiques.
The ecumenical councils of the early Church illustrate this historical
conditioning of doctrine. Terms such as ousia, hypostasis, and physis were
borrowed from Greek philosophy to articulate the mystery of the Trinity and the
person of Christ. These conceptual tools were not revealed directly by Scripture
but were employed by the Church to safeguard the apostolic faith against
misunderstanding. Thus, doctrine reflects the intellectual language and concerns
of its time while serving the enduring purpose of preserving the truth of the
Gospel.
The Communal Nature of Doctrinal Formation
Christian doctrine is not the product of isolated individuals but arises from the
collective discernment of the believing community. The Church, as the Body of
Christ, engages in theological reflection through worship, preaching, pastoral
practice, and conciliar deliberation. Doctrine takes shape within the life of the
community as it seeks to remain faithful to the revelation entrusted to it.
This communal dimension is evident in the development of creeds and
confessions. Creeds were formulated not merely as abstract theological
statements but as liturgical and catechetical tools, expressing the faith confessed
in baptism and Eucharistic worship. They reflect the concerns and questions of
particular communities, such as the need to clarify Christ’s divinity in the face
of Arianism or to affirm the full humanity of Christ against Docetism. Doctrine,
therefore, emerges as a response to real pastoral and theological challenges
faced by the community at a given moment in history.
Development Without Relativism
Recognizing doctrine as historically and communally constructed does not
imply doctrinal relativism or the absence of objective truth. The Church affirms
that the content of faith originates in divine revelation and remains consistent in
its essence. What changes is not the truth itself but the manner in which it is
expressed and understood. The development of doctrine can be understood as a
deepening and clarification of the same faith rather than its alteration.
Theologians such as John Henry Newman have emphasized that authentic
doctrinal development preserves continuity with the apostolic tradition while
allowing for growth in understanding. This perspective acknowledges that each
generation must articulate the faith anew, using concepts intelligible to its
context, while remaining faithful to the core of the Christian message. In this
sense, doctrine is both historically conditioned and transcendent of history.
Implications for Contemporary Theology
Understanding Christian doctrine as a theological construct of particular
communities in particular times has significant implications for contemporary
theology. It encourages humility in doctrinal formulation, recognizing the limits
of human language in expressing divine mystery. It also fosters openness to
dialogue, allowing diverse cultural and theological expressions of the same faith
to coexist within the universal Church.
Moreover, this perspective challenges the Church to engage creatively with
modern questions—ethical, scientific, and social—by articulating the Gospel in
ways that speak meaningfully to contemporary contexts. Just as earlier
communities formulated doctrine in response to their historical realities, today’s
Church is called to interpret and proclaim the faith in a rapidly changing world,
guided by Scripture, Tradition, and the Holy Spirit.
Christian doctrine is indeed a theological construct shaped by particular
communities living in particular times. It bears the marks of history, culture,
and communal discernment. Yet it is not merely a human product. Rooted in
divine revelation and sustained by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, doctrine
serves as the Church’s faithful witness to the truth of God’s saving action in
Christ. By recognizing both its historical formation and its enduring truth, the
Church can remain faithful to its past while responding creatively and
responsibly to the present.
1.2.2. Doctrines are Contextually formulated and
Reformulated:
Contextually formulated and reformulated doctrines refer to the process of
adapting and modifying religious doctrines to better reflect changing cultural,
social, and historical contexts.
Contextually formulated doctrines are those that are created or adapted in
response to changing contexts. These may arise due to new scientific
discoveries, social and cultural changes, or historical events. For example, the
Catholic Church's development of the doctrine of just war is an example of a
contextually formulated doctrine. This doctrine was developed to address the
issue of how to respond to wars and conflicts in a way that was consistent with
Christian teachings.
Reformulated doctrines, on the other hand, are existing doctrines that are
modified or reinterpreted in light of changing contexts. This process may
involve revisiting the original texts or traditions that the doctrine is based on,
and finding new ways to understand them. For example, the interpretation of the
biblical story of creation has been reformulated in response to scientific
discoveries about the origins of the universe.
Both contextually formulated and reformulated doctrines reflect the ongoing
process of adapting religious traditions to changing circumstances. This process
allows religious traditions to remain relevant and meaningful to believers, while
also staying true to their core beliefs and values.
1.2.3. Difference between Doctrines and Dogmas
Doctrines and dogmas are two terms used in religious contexts to refer to
different types of beliefs or teachings. Here are the distinctions between the
two:
Doctrine: A doctrine is a set of beliefs or teachings that are accepted and taught
by a particular religious group. Doctrines can be derived from the holy scripture
or developed over time through the interpretation of religious texts. Doctrines
can be open to interpretation and may vary among different denominations
within the same religion. Examples of Christian doctrines include the Trinity,
original sin, and the atonement.
Dogma: A dogma is a specific doctrine or belief that is considered to be
absolutely true and binding by a particular religious group. Dogmas are often
based on the authority of the scripture or the teachings of religious leaders, and
they are not subject to interpretation or revision. Dogmas are considered to be
fundamental to the faith, and deviation from them can result in
excommunication or other forms of disciplinary action. Examples of Christian
dogmas include the belief in the virgin birth of Jesus, the bodily resurrection of
Jesus, and the infallibility of the Pope.
In summary, while both doctrines and dogmas are sets of beliefs or teachings
within a religion, the difference lies in the level of authority and flexibility
attached to them. Doctrines are generally accepted teachings that can be open to
interpretation, while dogmas are specific doctrines that are considered to be
absolute and unchanging.
1.3. Relationship between Faith and Doctrines
Faith and doctrines are closely related concepts within religion.
Faith refers to a person's belief and trust in a higher power, God, or a particular
religion. It involves an individual's personal relationship with their spiritual
beliefs and how they view and interact with the world around them. Faith is
often described as a deeply personal and subjective experience that can provide
comfort, guidance, and meaning to individuals.
Doctrines, on the other hand, are the official teachings and beliefs of a particular
religion or religious organization. Doctrines are often derived from religious
texts, such as the Bible or Quran, and provide a framework for understanding
and practicing a particular faith. Doctrines can vary widely between different
religions and denominations, and they can be used to define the boundaries of a
particular faith community.
While faith and doctrines are related, they are not the same thing. Faith is a
personal experience, whereas doctrines are a set of beliefs that are shared within
a particular religious community. Some individuals may have faith in a
particular religion but not fully adhere to all of its doctrines, while others may
closely follow the doctrines of a religion but not have a strong personal faith.
1.4. The Relationship Between Apostolic Faith, Historic
church and Contemporary-Contextual Realities
Apostolic faith and historical church are closely related concepts within
Christianity.
Apostolic faith refers to the belief that the teachings and practices of the
Christian church are based on the teachings of the apostles, who were chosen by
Jesus Christ to be his closest followers and to spread his message to the world.
Apostolic faith emphasizes the importance of following the teachings of the
apostles as a means of staying true to the original message of Jesus Christ.
Historical church, on the other hand, refers to the collective body of Christians
who have lived and practiced the faith throughout history. It encompasses the
teachings, traditions, and practices of the Christian church, from its earliest
origins to the present day. Historical church emphasizes the importance of
maintaining continuity with the practices and teachings of the past, as a means
of preserving the integrity and authenticity of the faith.
In many Christian traditions, apostolic faith and historical church are closely
intertwined. For example, the Roman Catholic Church places great emphasis on
apostolic succession, the idea that the authority of the apostles has been passed
down through the generations of bishops and other church leaders. This
emphasis on apostolic authority is seen as a way of maintaining continuity with
the earliest days of the church and ensuring that its teachings and practices
remain true to the original message of Jesus Christ.
Similarly, many Protestant denominations place a strong emphasis on the Bible
as the primary source of authority in matters of faith and practice. This
emphasis on the teachings of the apostles, as recorded in the Bible, is seen as a
way of staying true to the original message of Jesus Christ and maintaining
continuity with the historical church.
Overall, both apostolic faith and historical church are important concepts within
Christianity, emphasizing the importance of following the teachings of the
apostles and maintaining continuity with the traditions and practices of the past.
1.5. Relationship between Doctrines and Faith-praxis
Doctrines and faith-praxis are closely related in the context of religion.
Doctrines provide the theoretical and theological framework for a particular
religion, while faith-praxis encompasses the practical, everyday expression of
an individual's religious beliefs and practices.
Doctrines provide the intellectual foundation for a religion, outlining its core
beliefs, values, and practices. They may be based on religious texts or teachings,
and are often developed and refined over time through theological reflection
and interpretation. Doctrines provide a way for believers to understand and
articulate the fundamental principles of their faith, and may help to define the
boundaries of a particular religious community.
Faith-praxis, on the other hand, encompasses the practical application of
religious beliefs and practices in everyday life. It involves living out one's faith
in concrete, tangible ways, such as through prayer, worship, service, and ethical
behavior. Faith-praxis is often shaped by the doctrines of a particular religion,
providing a framework for understanding how to live out one's faith in the
world.
The relationship between doctrines and faith-praxis is often reciprocal.
Doctrines provide the intellectual foundation for faith-praxis, while faith-praxis
provides the practical expression of doctrine in everyday life. The two are often
interdependent, with each informing and enriching the other.
For example, in the Christian tradition, the doctrine of the Trinity provides a
theological framework for understanding the nature of God. This doctrine helps
to shape the way that believers pray and worship, and informs their
understanding of how God is present in their lives. Similarly, the practice of
prayer and worship provides a practical expression of belief in the Trinity,
helping believers to deepen their understanding and appreciation of this
doctrine.
Overall, doctrines and faith-praxis are essential components of religious life,
providing both the theoretical and practical means for individuals to live out
their faith in the world.