Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe

466 Pages·2010·6.435 MB·English

by  Mark Driscoll, Gerry Breshears

“An interesting, clear, practical, biblical, and remarkably insightful guide to the
main doctrinal teachings of the whole Bible!”
WAYNE GRUDEM, Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary
“Doctrine is meaty, well-researched, clearly written, interesting, and refreshing;
a rare combination.”
RANDY ALCORN, author, If God Is Good and Heaven 
“A challenging yet easy-to-understand guide to the major doctrines of Scripture.
I commend it to you as a companion to your study of God’s Word.”
JAMES MACDONALD, Senior Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel, Chicago area
“Will help Christians clearly understand and articulate their beliefs while igniting
a deeper love and passion for Christ.”
CRAIG GROESCHEL, Senior Pastor, LifeChurch.tv; author, It

“A solid, sleek, no-nonsense resource that is perfect for equipping every believer
with the knowledge of essential biblical doctrines.”
DUSTIN KENSRUE, singer and guitarist, Thrice

“There is much here to aid readers who have thought that theology was too
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complicated, uninteresting, or irrelevant. This book is none of those things.”
R
JOHN FRAME, P rofessor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary    I
S
C
“A book on doctrine that is both interesting and substantive! Rigorously biblical
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and theologically faithful. A good gift for the body of Christ.” L
DANIEL L. AKIN, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary L
&

B
MARK DRISCOLL R
is the founding and preaching pastor of Mars Hill Church in
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Seattle and president of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network. S
H
GERRY BRESHEARS E
is professor of theology and chairman of the division of
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biblical and theological studies at Western Seminary. Driscoll and Breshears also R
coauthored Vintage Jesus, Vintage Church, and Death by Love. S
CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
MARK DRISCOLL & GERRY BRESHEARS
www.crossway.org
“An interesting, clear, practical, biblical, and remarkably insightful guide to the main
doctrinal teachings of the whole Bible!”
Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies,
Phoenix Seminary
“Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears have written a remarkably insightful treatment
of central biblical teachings, with a few surprising but welcome choices. Doctrine is
meaty, well-researched, clearly written, interesting, and refreshing—a rare combina-
tion. Those who know that truth matters will relish this book. If you don’t know that
truth matters, you should read it anyway and enjoy watching your mind and heart
change.”
Randy Alcorn, author, If God Is Good and Heaven
“Christianity is ineradicably doctrinal, and, contrary to popular instincts, doctrine
unites, as Paul makes clear in Romans 16:17. The question for church leaders, there-
fore, is how to communicate Christian doctrine in a clear, faithful, and winsome way.
It is therefore a pleasure to commend this book, an excellent primer in basic Christian
teaching. It will serve as an introduction for new Christians, a refresher for church
members, and a good text for Sunday school classes. Highly recommended.”
Carl Trueman, Academic Dean and Vice President,
Westminster Theological Seminary
“Sadly, many Christians think that doctrine is terminally boring and inherently
divisive. Driscoll and Breshears blow that stereotype out of the water as they tackle
thirteen core doctrines with uncommon grace and penetrating clarity. This addition
to my personal library will undoubtedly become well-worn.”
Larry Osborne, author; pastor, North Coast Church, Vista, California
“This valuable resource will help Christians clearly understand and articulate their
beliefs while igniting a deeper love and passion for Christ.”
Craig Groeschel, Senior Pastor, LifeChurch.tv; author, It
“We used the unpublished manuscript of Doctrine as a textbook at ChangePoint. In
short, the students loved it! They found it easy to read and very practical. Most are
looking forward to buying a copy for their personal libraries. Our church has already
benefited from Mark and Gerry’s latest effort. Buy the book! Use it with your leaders
and watch a deeper understanding of doctrine change their lives.”
Dan H. Jarrell, Teaching Pastor, ChangePoint Church, Anchorage, Alaska
“God is raising up a new generation of Christ-followers who long to know him and
his missional ways in a theologically-robust manner. This latest book by Driscoll and
Breshears is certain to play a major role in forming such doctrinally-sound Christians.
Besides covering all the major theological topics, they address deep doctrinal issues
in a clear and understandable way. And, as in all their books, they help us grasp what
difference these doctrines can and should make in our lives and churches.”
Gregg R. Allison, Professor of Christian Theology, Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary; faculty member, Re:train
Doctrine.06253.i03.indd 1 1/19/10 8:46 AM
“I like Doctrine very much. It is a relatively short, clear, and accurate topical sum-
mary of biblical teachings, focused on the practical application of doctrine. There is
much here to aid readers who have thought in the past that theology was too compli-
cated, uninteresting, or irrelevant. This book is none of those things. It takes off on
wings of eagles. It is so important today that believers understand and become com-
mitted to all that God’s Word says. This book is a wonderful tool to help them do that.”
John Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy,
Reformed Theological Seminary
“Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears have accomplished the unusual: they have writ-
ten a book on doctrine that is both interesting and substantive! Doctrine is rigorously
biblical and theologically faithful. It lays out with clarity the great truths of the faith,
showing their essential character and practical import. This is a good gift for the body
of Christ. I will be happy to commend to it to the seasoned saint and the new believer.”
Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
“I offer my unlimited limited endorsement of Doctrine. It’s limited with respect to
acknowledging that not everyone needs to agree with every point of doctrine outlined
in the book in order to benefit from the fair-minded treatment that Mark Driscoll and
Gerry Breshears give to each of the Christian doctrines examined. In areas where
Christians are known to hold differing views, Driscoll and Breshears respectfully
outline options before clearly stating their own beliefs. It’s unlimited with respect to
wholeheartedly embracing the clear ambition of the book. In an age when people,
even Christians, place such high personal value on internal experience, we desper-
ately need to look outside ourselves—to the doctrines of the Bible—to truly hear and
receive the good news of Jesus Christ.”
James H. Gilmore, author, The Experience Economy and Authenticity
“I listened to the sermon series that preceded this book and was very excited to hear
they were putting it all into print. ‘Doctrine’ should not be a dirty word in the church.
Right now the need for Christians to hold fast to biblical truth is greater than ever, and
this book is a solid, sleek, no-nonsense resource that is perfect for equipping every
believer with the knowledge of essential biblical doctrines.”
Dustin Kensrue, singer and guitarist, Thrice
“Whenever a new book comes across my desk I always ask What am I going to do
with this? The answer is not always immediately clear. But with this book, I knew
within the first few pages: I’m going to buy a number of copies, give them to our
leaders, and tell them to give the copies to young Christians to read. Breshears and
Driscoll have done us all a huge favor in writing Doctrine. Foundational truths are
explained in clear and accessible terms. This is doctrine taught as doctrine should be
taught: biblically, thoroughly, accessibly, clearly, and practically.”
Steve Timmis, Director, Porterbrook and Acts 29 Western Europe
Doctrine.06253.i03.indd 2 1/19/10 8:46 AM
“When my friend Mark Driscoll says he has written a book about what Christians
should believe, I believe him, and here he has. Mark writes like he preaches: clear,
direct, and commanding of your attention. This resource is a challenging yet easy-
to-understand guide to the major doctrines of Scripture. I commend it to you as a
companion to your study of God’s Word.”
James MacDonald, Senior Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel,
Rolling Meadows, Illinois
“At the beginning of the twentieth century when many sought to redefine the church
in terms of emotional experience and loose ecclesiastical unity, Gresham Machen
courageously defended biblical orthodoxy, with the following words: ‘It is only
as Christ is offered to us in the gospel—that is, in the “doctrine” that the world
despises—that Christ saves sinful men.’ At the beginning of the twenty-first century,
against similar adversaries, Driscoll and Breshears brilliantly, comprehensively, and
without compromise restate the absolute importance of doctrine, without which there
is no Christ and no Christianity.”
Peter Jones, Director, truthXchange; Scholar-in-Residence and
Adjunct Professor, Westminster Seminary California
“In this helpful and accessible book, Driscoll and Breshears lay out the key doc-
trines of the Christian faith. Doctrine defines the core beliefs that make up biblical
Christianity in a readable, understandable, and authentic way. Furthermore, I am
encouraged that it consistently points the reader to God’s mission to redeem the world
through his Son, Jesus Christ.”
Ed Stetzer, President, LifeWay Research
Doctrine.06253.i03.indd 3 1/19/10 8:46 AM
Other Re:Lit Books:
Re:Lit: Vintage Jesus
Vintage Jesus
Vintage Church
Death by Love
Religion Saves
Re:Lit: A Book You’ll Actually Read
On Church Leadership
On the New Testament
On the Old Testament
On Who Is God?
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MARK DRISCOLL & GERRY BRESHEARS
Wheaton, IllInoIs
Doctrine.06253.i03.indd 5 1/19/10 8:46 AM
Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe
Copyright © 2010 by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears
Published by Crossway
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval sys-
tem, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording,
or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA
copyright law.
Cover design: Patrick Mahoney (Re:Lit)
First printing 2010
Printed in the United States of America
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible,
English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture references marked niv are from The Holy Bible: New International Version®.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of
Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
The “NIV” and “New International Version” trademarks are registered in the United States
Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires
the permission of International Bible Society.
All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added by the authors.
Hardback ISBN: 978-1-4335-0625-3
PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-0626-0
Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-4335-0627-7
ePub ISBN: 978-1-4335-2311-3
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Driscoll, Mark, 1970–
Doctrine : what Christians should believe? / Mark Driscoll and
Gerry Breshears.
p. cm. — (Re:Lit: vintage Jesus)
Includes index.
ISBN 978-1-4335-0625-3 (hc) — ISBN 978-1-4335-0626-0 (pbk)
ISBN 978-1-4335-0627-7 — ISBN 978-1-4335-2311-3 (ebk)
1. Theology, Doctrinal. 2. Bible—Theology. I. Breshears, Gerry, 1947–
II. Title. III. Series.
BT75.3.D75 2010
230—dc22 2009031861
Crossway is a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
RRDC 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10
14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Doctrine.06253.i03.indd 6 1/19/10 8:46 AM
Preface.....................................................................9
Chapter.1..Trinity: God Is............................................11
Chapter.2..Revelation: God Speaks...............................37
Chapter.3..Creation: God Makes...................................79
Chapter.4..Image: God Loves.....................................111
Chapter.5..Fall: God Judges.......................................145
Chapter.6..Covenant: God Pursues..............................175
Chapter.7..Incarnation: God Comes.............................209
Chapter.8..Cross: God Dies.......................................245
Chapter.9..Resurrection: God Saves............................279
Chapter.10..Church: God Sends.................................305
Chapter.11..Worship: God Transforms.........................337
Chapter.12..Stewardship: God Gives............................371
Chapter.13..Kingdom: God Reigns...............................407
Small Group Resources.............................................437
General Index.........................................................451
Scripture Index.......................................................456
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Doctrine.06253.i03.indd 8 1/19/10 8:46 AM
Doctrine seeks to trace the big theological themes of Scripture along the
storyline of the Bible. This book is packed with truth without many stories
for illustration and entertainment. These omissions are intentional. We
believe God’s Story is perfect, and we want it to be in focus.
We dedicate Doctrine to five men who were giants in the previous
generation, men whose character and teaching we appreciate deeply: J. I.
Packer, John Stott, Billy Graham, Carl F. H. Henry, and Francis Schaeffer.
Gerry makes a personal dedication to his teacher and mentor, Gordon
R. Lewis. Mark makes a personal dedication to Grace (who pointed him to
Jesus), his five children, the church planters of Acts 29, and the elders of
Mars Hill Church for being incredibly effective ministry partners.
9
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