Alabaster Church is a community committed to Jesus. As such, we are committed to continuing in the faith [doctrine/theology] that was “once for all delivered by him to the saints.” (Jude 1:3)
"Doctrine is the term generally given to the body of teachings that result from... [weaving] together the various strands of the biblical witness, integrating them into a coherent account of the Christian vision of reality.” – Alister McGrath, Dictionary of Theological Interpretation of the Bible
Theology (from the Greek theos - “God" - and logos - “word or reason”) is reasoned discourse concerning God. More specifically, Christian theology is the study and understanding of the nature of God and doctrines of the Christian faith based on God's revelation of Himself, chiefly as found in the Bible.
As soon as the word doctrine or theology is mentioned some people’s eyes begin to glaze over as they ask, “Why do we need to study this? Isn’t it enough to just love Jesus?” Fair enough!
But, who is this Jesus you speak of? What does it mean to love him? And why is he worth loving? And how do you know? These are the answers doctrine, theology seeks to answer!
Everyone reads, everyone hears things discussed. Consequently, if you do not listen to theology, that will not mean that you have no ideas about God. It will mean that you have a lot of wrong ones — bad, muddled, out-of-date ideas." – C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
The doctrine or teaching of Alabaster Church represents what we believe about God, the Bible, what it means to be human, and the hope of the world. This is not only a summary of what we believe and preach, but also carries deep consequences on how we live as both individuals and a community of disciples.
“It might initially sound good to say that “all doctrines are equally important,” but it is a difficult statement to justify biblically. Paul, for instance, speaks of the gospel as a matter of “first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3). But on other topics, he often gives greater latitude to disagree. For instance, in Philippians 3:15 he writes, “If in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” […] On certain issues, he goes further and commands Christians not to “quarrel over opinions” (Rom. 14:1). Even on an important topic like baptism, Paul draws a prioritization for the gospel: “Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 1:17). Why is it important to make doctrinal distinctions? What is at stake? For starters, equating all doctrines leads to unnecessary division and undermines the unity of the church.” – Gavin Ortlund, Finding the Right Hills to Die On
Without levels of importance in our theology, we can fall to the dangers of fundamentalism (everything is “gospel”) or liberalism (nothing is “gospel").
So though everything we believe is consequential, Alabaster Church acknowledges the varying levels of doctrinal importance and we seek to foster and lead a culture that respects these differing priorities accordingly.
| Level | Gospel Allegiance | Christian Affirmation | Collective Agreement | Personal Opinion | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Description | The Good News of Jesus Christ and the response of faith. | Teachings of Scripture as received by Christians and our unity with the global, historical Church | Interpretations of Scripture which guide the practice of our local church. | Positions which are not essential to the gospel, unifying throughout church history, or guiding on the local practice of the Church. | | Members… | Must Receive | Cannot Reject | Cannot Resist | Must Respect |
At the center of the Christian Faith is the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus and the invitation for all to place their faith in or give their allegiance to him. We believe that this central proclamation is best found and summarized in the “first” sermon of the church, given by Peter at Pentecost
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Acts 2:22–47
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
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