The doctrine of the Bible, also known as Bibliology, is central to understanding Christianity because it establishes the Bible as the primary source of truth about God, humanity, and His redemptive plan. As Christians, we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, penned by prophets and holy men who were guided by the Holy Spirit. Its purpose is to reveal Christ—His suffering, His glory, and His ultimate triumph.
The Bible isn’t just a collection of ancient texts; it’s God’s direct communication with us. It presents God as both the sovereign Creator and a relational being, and it helps us understand His triune nature. This divine revelation unfolded progressively over time, with God revealing His truth through various means, ultimately culminating in the person of Jesus Christ.
Christian counselors and believers alike rely on the Bible to address the brokenness we see in a fallen world. It is the foundation for how we view life’s challenges, our role in creation, and the hope we have in Christ. As one of the ten core doctrines of Christianity, alongside teachings about God, Christ, salvation, and the church, the doctrine of the Bible calls us to engage deeply with Scripture, seeing it not only as an ancient book but as the living Word of God that speaks into every part of our lives today.
The Development of Doctrine in the Bible
Understanding how doctrine develops in the Bible requires grasping two key concepts: progressive revelation and the theological growth within the church.
Progressive revelation refers to the way God revealed His truth over time, through different people and methods, as seen in Hebrews 1:1–3 and 1 Peter 1:10–12. Because of this, later parts of Scripture often provide a more complete understanding of certain teachings. For instance, New Testament writers, while offering profound insights, often assume their readers already possess a foundational understanding of earlier Scripture. In these cases, turning to earlier texts helps fill in those theological gaps.
The development of doctrine within the church has been essential due to the unsystematic nature of New Testament writings. Although the Bible contains all the truth needed for establishing doctrine, it rarely presents that truth in an organized, step-by-step format. Over time, believers have thoughtfully contributed to clarifying and systematizing biblical teachings within their historical and intellectual contexts.
The Practical Importance of Doctrine
Biblical doctrine is not just meant to inform the mind—it is meant to transform our lives. While understanding God’s truth is essential, the goal is to apply that truth to how we live, think, and act. Scripture consistently teaches that knowing the truth should motivate us to practice it (see Romans 12:1; 2 Peter 3:11). James emphasizes that we should be “doers of the word and not hearers only” (James 1:22). True Christian maturity comes from living out the truth, not just acquiring knowledge (Hebrews 5:11–14).
However, it’s important to avoid building doctrine solely on personal application. For example, one person’s calling to self-denial should not be imposed as a rule for everyone else. Romans 14 encourages clarity in personal conviction but reminds us to show grace toward others. Doctrine must be rooted in foundational truth, not in isolated practices. Without this, our faith risks becoming a set of empty religious rules rather than a living relationship with God.
Canon
The word canon comes from Hebrew and Greek roots, originally meaning a reed or cane, which was used as a tool for measuring or keeping things straight. Over time, this term took on a broader meaning, referring to a standard or rule. In Christian theology, it specifically refers to the collection of books in the Bible that serve as the authoritative rule of faith and practice—the standard for doctrine and moral duty.
When we say a book has canonical authority, we mean it rightly belongs among the books that reveal God’s will. This authority does not come from any church or religious institution but from the evidence that the book was divinely inspired. The canon, or the inspired books of the Old and New Testaments, is the complete and only rule for our faith and how we live. These books represent the full supernatural revelation of God to humanity.
Formation of the New Testament Canon
The New Testament canon didn’t appear overnight but developed gradually under God’s guidance. As each book was written, it was shared among early Christian communities, beginning shortly after the day of Pentecost. Over time, these inspired writings were gathered together into a single collection of 27 books—the same New Testament we have today. Historical evidence shows that by the middle of the second century, this collection was essentially complete. Each book earned its place based on its divine authority, not because a council or institution declared it so.
Witness of the Old Testament Canon
The New Testament writers bear witness to the Old Testament canon. The New Testament contains countless quotations and references to the Old Testament, showing that at that time, there was already a well-established and publicly recognized collection of Hebrew Scriptures. These were often referred to as “The Scriptures,” “The Law and the Prophets,” or “Moses and the Prophets.” The New Testament’s frequent appeals to these books affirm that they were considered divinely authoritative and decisive on all matters they addressed. This collection consisted of the same 39 books we recognize today as the Old Testament.
The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, also included all the books we now find in the Old Testament. There’s strong evidence that the Old Testament canon was formally closed during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, following the return from the Babylonian exile.
In summary, the canon of Scripture—both Old and New Testaments—holds a unique position as God’s inspired Word, fully revealing His will and serving as the ultimate standard for faith and life.
Glossary of Terms for Systematic Theology & Faith Sharing
- Canon
Definition: The word canon refers to the collection of books in the Bible that are considered the inspired Word of God and the ultimate rule of faith and life. These books didn’t make the cut because a council said so—they earned their place by proving, over time and through evidence, that they were divinely inspired. The Bible’s canon serves as our trustworthy, go-to source for what we believe and how we live. - Doctrine
Definition: Think of doctrine as the framework or set of core beliefs that come from the Bible. It’s what we stand on when we talk about God, salvation, sin, and how we’re meant to live. Doctrine is not just for scholars—everyone can benefit from understanding what we believe and why. And when you share your faith, good doctrine gives you confidence, without the need to preach someone into a corner. - Inspiration (of Scripture)
Definition: The Bible isn’t just a random collection of writings by a bunch of guys. It’s inspired—meaning God guided the authors through His Spirit to write exactly what He wanted them to write. They were instruments, not robots, meaning their personalities and styles came through, but God’s truth remained intact. Inspiration gives us the confidence that Scripture is 100% reliable. - Revelation
Definition: Revelation is simply God making Himself known to us. There are two types: general revelation, which is what we can know about God through nature and the world around us, and special revelation, which is the specific truth about God and His plan for salvation, revealed through Scripture. Special revelation is where we get the nitty-gritty details about who God is and how He wants to relate to us. - Systematic Theology
Definition: If theology is the study of God, then systematic theology is the organized way we break it down into categories—like God, sin, salvation, the church, and the end times—so we can make sense of it all. This method helps us connect the dots across Scripture and gives us a clear picture of what we believe and why. It also makes sharing your faith easier because it provides a simple, structured way to explain things. - Biblical Authority
Definition: Biblical authority means that the Bible has the final say on what’s true and how we should live. It’s not up for debate. When we recognize the Bible’s authority, we let it shape our decisions, values, and worldview. For faith-sharing, it means you can speak with confidence, knowing that the truths you share are grounded in something solid, not just opinion or tradition. - Apologetics
Definition: Apologetics is the practice of defending your faith—think of it as making a case for what you believe in a clear, respectful way. It’s not about winning arguments; it’s about giving reasons for the hope you have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15). Learning apologetics equips you to answer tough questions without getting defensive, and helps you share your faith without feeling like you need to beat someone over the head with the Bible. - Evangelism
Definition: Evangelism is simply sharing the good news of Jesus with others. It doesn’t have to be awkward or forced. Instead of “Bible-thumping,” effective evangelism comes from authentic relationships and meeting people where they are—sharing how God has moved in your life and letting the Holy Spirit do the rest. - Grace vs. Law
Definition: The tension between grace and law is a common challenge in faith-sharing. Law refers to rules or commands from God that show us how we should live. Grace, on the other hand, is God’s gift of forgiveness and salvation, which we can’t earn by keeping the law. When sharing your faith, emphasize grace—help people see that salvation is about trusting in Jesus, not jumping through religious hoops.
This glossary gives you the tools to communicate clearly about your faith without needing to force it. When you understand these terms and how they connect to everyday life, you can share your story in a way that’s relatable, authentic, and grounded in truth. After all, faith-sharing isn’t about convincing others with head knowledge—it’s about inviting them into the life-changing love and grace you’ve experienced.
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