Doctrine refers to our set of beliefs about a given topic. In The Christian Life Sinclair Ferguson writes, “The conviction that Christian doctrine matters for Christian living is one of the most important growth points of the Christian life” (2).  Just as a plant needs water and sunlight, if we desire to grow in faith and grace, we need to know and study doctrine.

Trickle-down economics, stated simply, argues that if the wealthy are given tax cuts which allow them to flourish economically, their money will find its way down to the middle and lower classes.  Whether or not trickle-down economics works is a matter of debate. Though it is not universally agreed upon that economic success flows down from the top, I would propose that when it comes to our study of theology, the trickle-down principle is absolutely true. Our theological beliefs impact our lives. What we know and believe to be true in our heads ought to find its way to our hearts. If we want to grow and mature as believers, we must adopt a trickle-down approach to theology.

1. To Grow as a Christian, You Must Study Theology

Doctrine refers to our set of beliefs about a given topic. In The Christian Life Sinclair Ferguson writes, “The conviction that Christian doctrine matters for Christian living is one of the most important growth points of the Christian life” (2).  Just as a plant needs water and sunlight, if we desire to grow in faith and grace, we need to know and study doctrine. If we know and meditate on the truth, it will trickle down into our hearts and influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions.  As we grow in the knowledge of the truth, it will apply to the way we think and act.

Unfortunately, doctrine is often seen as irrelevant to everyday life, or worse, some see it as divisive.  Though this can sometimes be true, it is not the way things should be. The church is supposed to be a place where doctrine leads to good works and unity. Paul writes,

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (Ephesians 4:11-14)

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