Love Trumps Doctrine
Vincent Harding, a colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said in an interview with Krista Tippett that “what I found out over the years was that love trumps doctrine every time.” The context of the statement was as he was explaining why he felt it necessary to leave a particular religious group. He came to different conclusions than they did, but still remains friends because love trumps doctrine every time.
He is probably correct as it pertains to most people—especially since most people do not care about doctrine much these days. Most people do not even know Bible facts, let alone the major doctrines of the New Testament. Even though Israel was destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6), many today seem to think that ignorance is bliss and are not concerned whether they believe truth or error.
The question is, “What does the Bible say?” First of all, it is quite clear, “Doctrine does matter.” How do we know that? Christians in the first century began immediately to study after they were saved. “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…” (Acts 2:41-42). They wanted to know what Christians should believe and practice.
Paul told the young evangelist Timothy to take heed to himself and his doctrine. Notice that Paul told him to continue in them, “for in doing this you will save yourself and those who hear you” (1 Tim. 4:16). Salvation is linked to our understanding of doctrine. The Bible never says, “Just believe what you want, and everything will be fine.” If error served as well as truth, then the two would be equal. One saves, however, but one condemns.
Second, love cannot be divorced from sound Biblical teaching. In fact, loving God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength is doctrine, as is, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Considering the two great commandments, love does not trump doctrine, love is doctrine; they are commandments we need to obey. It would eliminate hatred and prejudice between races. In Christ, harmony, unity, and peace are possible.
Another verse that explains the relationship between love and doctrine is 2 John 6: “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments….” We cannot walk according to them unless we know them, which means that we must learn the fundamental teachings that God has set forth for us.
Third, God teaches many doctrines in the New Testament. Are these irrelevant? What we ought to realize is that God is love (1 John 4:7-8). To say that love trumps doctrine implies that somehow doctrine is not important—only love is. Yet the One Who is love has decreed that we learn doctrine. Jesus is the author of salvation to all those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9). If we love Him, we will obey Him (John 14:15).