You can say you aren’t dogmatic,
But you have dogmas just like everyone else.
Why do we say “everyone has dogma (doctrine)”? Watch our Truth in Two (don’t miss the Afterword!).
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FULL TEXT
A recent article in the Religious News Service was titled, “A Church for Nones: Meet the Anti-Dogma Spiritual Collectives.” As I read the article, I couldn’t help but think those spiritual collectives are full of “dogma.” The word “dogma” simply means doctrine, a faith commitment, what someone believes. The article describes not only the dogma of what these groups are against but what they are for. As soon as someone makes an assertion about something, that person bases their thinking on an idea, a belief, a foundation upon which they stand. In that sense, everyone is a “fundamentalist,” a term found repugnant by these groups. The words “church” or “nones” – that is, N – O – N – E – S people who say they subscribe to no religious point of view – are full of doctrinal ideals. No one can live without dogma. Everyone subscribes to something.
Here is an example of dogma from these spiritual collectives. In the article a leader is quoted as saying, “Our motto is ‘love,’ period. We determine what texts are saying through the lens of love.” There are at least two dogmas, two doctrines in this statement. (1) The idea of ‘love’ is the stated commitment without examining the source or definition of love. The implication is a human-centered view of love. You see the problem. One person’s view of love may not be very loving to another person. (2) To say ‘we determine what the texts are saying’ leaves interpretation up to an individual or a group. But what happens if the interpretation goes against someone else’s interpretation? A link to this article and other writings is available at the end of this Truth in Two.
Now don’t get me wrong. I have great respect for people and the positions they hold. So, it is best to allow Scripture to speak for itself. 2 Timothy 2 says I am to biblically correct opposing dogmas “with gentleness.” For Truth in Two, this is Dr. Mark Eckel, personally seeking truth wherever it’s found.
AFTERWORD
“Dogma” (doctrine) is mentioned throughout the article mentioned above, “Church for ‘Nones’ – Meet the Anti-Dogma Spiritual Collectives Emerging Across the US.” See my comment in our Truth in Two that “everyone everywhere commits themselves to something.” Certainly, universities have their own “dogma” and are themselves “fundamentalist” (TNT here). Christians should know the importance of “doctrine” (TNT here). I have had students in my classes over the years who want to “leave The Faith.” Their concern was the Church placed undue constraints upon them by a church’s doctrinal positions. Whenever the opportunity arises to say so, I ask them if what they just described about their own lives is not, in and of itself, “dogma.”