One chief characteristic of Christian doctrines or “dogmas” is that they originate in Scripture. I appreciate how Louis Berkhof explained this near the opening of his introduction to systematic theology (prolegomena):
Their Subject-Matter is derived from Scripture. The Bible is God’s Word, the book which is His continuous revelation of redemption for all successive generations. It acquaints us with the mighty redemptive acts of God, and also furnishes mankind with a reliable interpretation of these acts. It may therefore be said to be both a word—and a fact—revelation; and both these words and facts have doctrinal significance. Naturally, the meaning of the facts can only be expressed in words. Both the facts and the words have doctrinal significance, and therefore furnish the subject-matter of dogmas.
Shane Lems
Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Hammond, WI, 54015
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