As a theologian and scholar I enjoy teaching doctrine. As a pastor and servant of the church I enjoy teaching on the church. This series on the Church at Ephesus endeavors to do both. It’s easy to read through Paul’s epistles regarding this church and write a treatise concerning every loci of dogmatics just from these letters. But one misses the purpose of Paul’s doctrinal instruction if one does not directly tie in all he says to the practice of the faith and of the church. I might argue this entire series could be summed up by Paul admonition to, “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 4:1; 5:12–13)
You’ll see this theme recur over and over again throughout the series because, as Luke, Paul, and John will show us, this is the central calling of the church and of the Christian. Doctrine, however, is necessary in order for discerning both one’s calling and how to walk wisely in that calling. In other words, we see throughout the Church at Ephesus how right doctrine must lead to right practice but there can be no right practice without right doctrine. Simply, the goal of this series is to call the church to orthodoxy and orthopraxy. Because we are dealing with God’s breathed and revealed Word, we should be shaped in our beliefs by the words we read and study. And yet because we are dealing with a real local church over the course of forty years, we should watch how the Ephesians sought to apply God’s Word and learn from both their successes and struggles.
Ultimately, however, I hope you’ll see throughout this series how God calls His church into His mission. We must, therefore, view every doctrine that is expounded throughout this series in that light. The doctrines of pneumatology (doctrine of the Holy Spirit), soteriology (doctrine of salvation), ecclesiology (doctrine of the church), harmatology (doctrine of sin), theology (doctrine of God), and grace (election, predestination, perseverance) are given to us to help us better understand how to engage and carry out the mission of God and the building of His Kingdom. We will deal with some tough subjects throughout this series and some doctrines upon which Christians have held disagreement and will continue to do so. We must understand that we can continue to hold different interpretations so long as all our positions ultimately edify the church and equip her to worshiping God by making disciples. That’s the goal of this series. I pray it will do that for you and for the church.
