Can I Passionately Follow Jesus and Not Care About Good Doctrine?
Zeal Without Knowledge
On one hand, it’s certainly true that there have been lots of wonderful, godly examples of Christian faithfulness who have probably not had the opportunity to be well-taught in doctrine. So we wouldn’t want to say that only the most brilliant theologians can really follow God, or, vice versa, that if you have all of the knowledge in your head, then by default you’ll be a godly Christian. We know that doesn’t happen.
And yet we don’t want zeal or passion without knowledge. The most lasting passion—the fire that’s going to burn hot for a lifetime—has to be rooted in doctrine and theology and in knowing true things about God. It’s an imperfect analogy, but think about if you fall in love with your spouse or when you meet the person you’re going to marry. You may have an experience and even a love at first sight. There’s an attraction, and in those first months, there’s lots of excitement, and it may be a very genuine passion, zeal, and love. But everyone’s going to tell you that to be married for forty, fifty, or sixty years, you’re going to need more than that experience of love. You’re going to need a commitment, and you’re going to need knowledge. So I loved my wife almost from the first time that I met her. I was drawn to her and wanted to spend time with her.
Daily Doctrine
Kevin DeYoung
To make systematic theology clear and accessible for the everyday Christian, this one-year guide breaks down important theological topics into daily readings. Each reading features concise and accessible writing and verses for meditation and application.
And yet after more than twenty years of being married to her, I know so much more about her. I love her much more deeply because I know her much more deeply. So if a Christian is really intent on following God, knowing God, and they’re fired up and want to be passionate about God, don’t make the mistake of thinking that doctrine and head knowledge is the opposite of passionate heart knowledge.
The real heart affection that’s going to burn bright and is going to last must be connected to that knowledge, that deep doctrine, that precision or carefulness with what we believe. And Jesus taught us that we’re sanctified by the truth. He said you cannot be saved—you’re dead in your sins—unless you believe that I am he. That’s stating you must have some propositional knowledge about Christ. Only in knowing who God is can we have that deep, abiding, lasting affection for God.
Kevin DeYoung is the author of Daily Doctrine: A One-Year Guide to Systematic Theology.
Related Articles
Is Double Predestination Fair?
The terms election and predestination are often used interchangeably, both referring to God’s gracious decree whereby he chooses some for eternal life.
Is Every Sin the Same in God’s Eyes?
Many Christians hold to the mistaken notion that every sin is the same in God’s eyes. Some Christians embrace this conviction by way of a misguided theological calculation.
Podcast: When Churches Get Doctrine Right and Everything Else Wrong (Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry)
Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss the connection between gospel doctrine and gospel culture and share what it looks like when a church is theologically careful but culturally sick.
Kevin DeYoung talks on the importance of theology for all Christians, why it matters for our everyday lives, and why it's worth the effort to dig in, even if it sometimes feels a bit unfamiliar.
