Daily Doctrine
Imagine if someone were to ask you, “Who is the best football player?” To answer that question, our mind takes a particular route - “Is he asking NFL or College? Offense or Defense? Quarterback or Wide Receiver? Under which era?” In order to answer that question well, our mind utilizes various categories. When we have these categories in place, we can have a greater understanding of any subject because we have a means of sorting vast amounts of information into manageable categories.
Now, why is this important? It has been well recorded that our knowledge of the Bible has been on the decline across the board, and we often want to wave the finger at poor Bible reading habits. But could it be that we have poor Bible reading habits because we do not have sufficient categories in which to sort this vast amount of divine revelation? Our inability to systemize the Bible has led to our discouragement in understanding the Bible. Systematic theology provides the necessary pegs on which we hang the vast array of truths in Scripture.
The idea of reading large tomes of systematic theology is an even more daunting task, isn’t it? The average Christian will not pass their spare time reading a four-volume tome on the finer details of doctrine. Nor is that a realistic expectation. However, Kevin DeYoung has provided us something both realistic and achievable in Daily Doctrine. In short, pithy 500-word devotionals, DeYoung manages to cover the major theological loci (categories) of Scripture. In the span of five days over 52 weeks, DeYoung provides for us necessary “filing cabinet” in which to sort the various truths of Scripture.
What are the strengths of this devotional? One, it is short! (Amen!) DeYoung does not write for the pastor; he writes for the mom and the teenager, both on their way to soccer practice. Two, DeYoung orients us to the broader scriptural and historical world. Most discussions weave together multiple scriptures while introducing us to historical figures who wrote on the same topics. For example, Day 138 on Christ’s Cry from the Cross, he quotes Francis Turretin and Wilhemus à Brakel. These are large figures from our past that shamed ministries across generations; now, they are brought home to use in tidbits and quotations. Third, DeYoung moves from the speculative to the practical. His aim is not on information, but on transformation. This point in particular is of great importance to me. Today, we tend to think of theologians as authors and academics; however, theologians historically have been pastors. They were men writing to the flock under their care, addressing the spiritual ills and errors that plagued the people they loved most. This love made theology practical. Fourth and finally, the book is organized in such a way as to be a resource. When asked tough questions, the organization of the devotional makes it quick and easy to navigate many different topics.
In our day and age disenfranchised with the world at large, people are looking for answers. Some are looking in the political, others in the societal. Why can we not give them an answer that is theological? An answer that is well-reasoned, coherent, and flowing from the rich revelation of God in the Scriptures? In a world drowning in iniquity, Paul counseled both Timothy and Titus to teach “sound doctrine,” and we should do the same. We may not all read massive tomes, but we can all read Daily Doctrine. By doing so, you will find your Bible reading more profitable and your walk with Christ more pleasurable.
You can purchase Daily Doctrine here.
