Journal: Emmaus Journal
Volume: EMJ 07:2 (Winter 1998)
Article: Back to the Basics: A Fairly Serious Survey of the Fundamentals of the Faith
Author: Larry Dixon

EMJ 7:2 (Win 98) p. 241

Back to the Basics:
A Fairly Serious Survey of the Fundamentals of the Faith

Larry Dixon*

* Larry Dixon is a graduate of Emmaus Bible College and is currently Professor of Church History and Theology at Columbia Biblical Seminary and School of Missions in Columbia, South Carolina.

Introduction

The Ignorance of Christians

“The trouble with ignorance,” somebody once wrote, “is that it picks up confidence along the way.” Many contemporary followers of Jesus Christ possess only a bare understanding of Christianity, but it seems they have picked up confidence along the way. Few Christians readily acknowledge their unfamiliarity with the fundamental facts of the faith, but such ignorance manifests itself time and time again.

One evidence of such ignorance is the popular Christian game I call “Cultic Hide ‘n Seek.” This is pretending not to be home so that one will not have to answer the doorbell when the Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons come calling. The last thing such Christians feel like doing is hearing how Jesus is only “a god” or being told by Elders Smith and Young that the Bible is the Word of God “insofar as it is properly translated.” And so they pretend not to be home.

Another example which shows a poor doctrinal understanding by some Christians is what can be described as voluntary illiteracy. This refers to the conscious refusal to read any books which are not from their own religious perspective. The fear may be that they have never wanted to engage their minds in defending their faith, and they are too tired to start now. Few Christians really enter the public arena of debate with non-Christians, for the unspoken consensus seems to be that although their faith may not be much, it is all they have—and in order to keep it, they feel they must keep it to themselves.

EMJ 7:2 (Win 98) p. 242

Knowing and Believing Biblical Doctrine

But life is too short to miss the benefits of knowing what biblical Christianity teaches—and believing those doctrines fervently. In this age of support-groups, perhaps we need a therapy organization for doctrinally-deprived disciples of Jesus. I can just picture the scene: Late on a weeknight, in the basement of the First Church of the Empty Pew, a crowd of thirty or so individuals arrange themselves around rectangular tables. Amidst the chatter and shuffling of metal chairs a middle-aged woman calls the meeting to order, and then the testimony time begins. “Hello,” says an automotive mechanic of about twenty-five years of age, “My name is Mike—and, although I’m ashamed to admit it, I, uh, well, I have no idea what the doctrine of sanctification is!” “Hi, Mike!” calls out the ...