Healthy Doctrine

by Rev. Raymond Coffey

June 2008

Paul wrote three very personal letters to Timothy and Titus, young men whom he had mentored in the ministry and whom he considered partners in the ministry entrusted to him by Christ. These letters, I Timothy, II Timothy and Titus, are commonly known as the “pastoral” epistles because they focus on church life, order and leadership. These letters are most instructive in understanding the apostolic pattern for ministry in the local church. Paul encourages his protégés to exercise leadership in establishing the churches in which they minister. For instance, in Titus 1:5 Paul reminds Titus of his work when he says “that is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained in order….” This involved the appointing of Elders and the teaching of “sound” doctrine in the church.  The same is true in his exhortation to Timothy: “I charge you…preach the word….” The reason he gives for this is that the time is coming when people will not endure “sound” doctrine. The proclamation of the word is the antidote to such attitudes. By doing this Timothy will “fulfill the ministry” entrusted to him. II Timothy 4:1-5

Throughout the Pastoral letters Paul continually makes reference to “sound” doctrine or teaching, “sound” words, and being “sound” in the faith. I Timothy 1:10; 6:3; II Timothy 1:13; 4:3; Titus 1:9; 1:13; 2:1; 2:2; 2:8.  What is significant about these references is that this term, hugiainein, usually translated as “sound,” is used only in these three letters. We do not find it anywhere else in Paul’s writing.  The word itself refers to that which is “healthy.”  It comes from the world of medical terminology. In these letters, Paul utilizes a host of terms that are derived from the realm of medicine, either by referring to that which is unhealthy or diseased or by referring to that which produces true health and wholeness. This can again be illustrated in I Timothy 6:4 where Paul speaks of false teachers who are “conceited.” This term is one that was used in the ancient world to refer to a diseased mind, a mentally unhealthy soul. In the latter half of the verse he says that these individuals have “an unhealthy craving” for controversy. This word is used only here in the New Testament and refers to that which is seriously ill or sick. Paul later speaks of the teaching of these heretics “spreading like gangrene.” II Timothy 2:17  These examples could be multiplied many times over in these letters. The underlying point however is this: Healthy teaching, healthy doctrine, is the source of a healthy soul and therefore of a healthy life. And healthy teaching is rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Space does not permit the development of what constitutes healthy doctrine in these letters that Paul writes Titus and Timothy. It is, however, sufficient for us to note that he goes to great lengths to demonstrate that unhealthy teaching results in a diseased soul. It corrupts the life, defiles the conscience and results in wrong decisions and lifestyles that are contrary to the Word of God. In a culture that obsesses over issues surrounding health and healthy lifestyles and choices, it is critical that we in leadership and in the church be reminded that the foundation for authentic health is “sound” or healthy doctrine. The teaching of the gospel and the truths that flow from the gospel are not abstract items that have not relevance to life. The doctrines that we believe, the teachings that we hold fast in our confessions of faith are not arcane or obsolete matters that are unrelated to life. They are our health, our vitality, our strength and our hope.  It is ironic and tragic that we as a society focus on healthy food for the body, but neglect healthy food for the soul. We spend great amounts of time, energy and money promoting healthy choices in relation to our physical health, but almost ignore spiritual health. Even worse than this, in our culture we stuff our minds with junk ‘food’ or false teaching, heretical doctrines and corrupt words. Our souls become diseased with such a diet of thinking and teaching.  We ought not to neglect our bodily health and, of course, are responsible for right decisions regarding our physical well-being. How much more is this the case with our spiritual health. In I Timothy 4:8, Paul says that “bodily training/exercise (the Greek word is gymnasia), profits for a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 

One final example will help us to understand this truth. During the recent season of Easter we have concentrated our attention in preaching on the resurrection and the new creation. We have been reminded that the central teaching of the New Testament is that of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is foundational to the gospel. We have learned how God will raise us bodily from the dead and fashion our bodies to be like the glorious body of our Lord Jesus in his resurrection. We confess in the Apostle’s Creed that “we believe in…the resurrection of the body.” We have come to understand that in the resurrection body we will inhabit the new heavens and the new earth. This is very much a bodily existence. And yet we find that people who claim they believe these truths, these doctrines, will also say that they believe in reincarnation. However, in Scripture the doctrine of the resurrection is diametrically opposed to every aspect of the idea of reincarnation. Reincarnation is a pagan doctrine that is both untrue and unhealthy. Cultures that teach this are wounded cultures. Those who embrace such thinking and doctrines do so to their soul’s detriment and harm. Sound doctrine promotes healthy thinking and healthy living. May we recommit ourselves to sound and healthy teaching in our church life and personal growth in Christ Jesus.