Moving from Scripture to Doctrine -- By: Elmer A. Martens

Journal: Bulletin for Biblical Research
Volume: BBR 15:1 (NA 2005)
Article: Moving from Scripture to Doctrine
Author: Elmer A. Martens


Moving from Scripture to Doctrine

Elmer A. Martens

Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary

The topic invites inquiry. How do we of the church, once the Bible has been exegeted, proceed to formulate doctrine? To answer that question I propose first to do a brief historical sweep, from which I will draw several pertinent observations. A theoretical discussion will follow that explores the thesis of the paper, namely, that we move from Scripture to doctrine via biblical theology. Lest we get lost in the cyberspace of the theoretical, I include two case studies, one dealing with atonement and a second with divorce. Finally, the preacher within me says we must end with a challenge, specifically some exhortations.

Key Words: biblical theology, hermeneutics, exegesis

Historical Orientation

Doctrinal statements can be creedal, succinct, and relatively brief. Selected ecclesial benchmarks in the formulation of doctrine would include the Jerusalem Council (a.d. 49) where the issue was the incorporation of the Gentiles into the church, and the Council of Nicea (a.d. 325), which pontificated on Christ’s divinity over against the Arian claim that the Son was the highest creation. Chalcedon (a.d. 451) tackled the issue of Christ’s divine and human nature. The Westminster Confession (a.d. 1647) and the Chicago Declaration of Inerrancy (1978) are further examples of doctrinal statements by churchly bodies, to which might be added any number of denominational statements of faith.

Doctrinal statements can also be elaborate expositions, as in Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica (a.d. 1265), John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion (a.d. 1536), Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics (1932– 39), or Millard Erickson’s Christian Theology (1998). In both creeds and expositions we see the end product of a process in which the church

corporately or representatively has moved from Scripture to doctrine.1 A survey of process and product prompts several observations.

1. Various Factors. Scripture, though undoubtedly the most important factor in establishing Christian doctrine, is not the only factor. Tradition plays a strong role. Karl Barth’s church dogmatics builds on the Reformation, which in turn makes very self-conscious links with Augustine and others.2 The move from Scripture to doctrine is not made de novo bu...

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