Church Doctrine and the Bible

You know the doctrines, but are they biblical?

Too often, Christians are content to state a doctrine, list a few supporting Bible passages, and proceed on to the next. But are these doctrines truly derived from the Bible, or are we slotting verses into our pre-determined theological grids?

In Church Doctrine and the Bible, biblical scholar David Instone-Brewer applies his expertise in first-century backgrounds and culture to popular Christian doctrines. Peeling away thousands of years of theological development reveals how the Bible's original hearers would have understood these doctrines and helps us resolve some of our doctrinal disputes and misunderstandings. Through this process, Instone-Brewer answers the question, "is this doctrine biblical?"

Church Doctrine and the Bible will help pastors, theologians, and laypersons see familiar doctrines with fresh, first-century, eyes. By restoring the revolutionary simplicity of the Bible's teachings, we gain new insights into these doctrines and what they mean for the church today.

The Rev. Dr. David Instone-Brewer is a research fellow at Tyndale House, a research library in biblical studies located in Cambridge, England. He previously served as a Baptist minister. His books include Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible, Divorce and Remarriage in the Church, and Traditions of the Rabbis from the Era of the New Testament.