Doctrine is supposed to be the DNA of a confessional denomination. It is supposed to explain and motivate the existence of the distinct group. “We act this way because we believe these things.” “We must continue to uphold these truths.”

But it is all too easy in many cases (not all) to show that the group’s distinctives cannot be explained by their professed beliefs and/or that very different people hold to the same affirmations. Doctines do not explain the distinctives, but a desire to be distinct exists quite apart from any credo. As Lewis observed, one finds in the inner circle that exclusion is not an accident, but the essence.

Doctrine then can often (not always) hold the necessary function within a group of rationalizing a hostility against other people as love for the truth. It allows members to claim and feel like their identity is positive rather than purely negative.

This should surprise no one. It simply provides an analysis of First Corinthians 13 as applied to confessional formulation.