Be a little dogmatic …

The word “dogmatic” almost automatically brings up negative thoughts and emotions. In our culture, we’re taught being dogmatic, instead of tolerant, is a “bad” thing.

But that isn’t what the Apostle Paul taught to Timothy and the rest of us. In fact, Paul urges us to be a little dogmatic when it comes to the truth.

“Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me — a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you,” 2 Timothy 2:13-14.

The pit bull, as you may know, is bred to be a fighter. But what you may not know is what they were originally bred to fight with. The pit bull is actually a mutt that made good, having terrier and mastiff breeds in its line. From the mastiff side of the tree, they are descended from bulldogs, which in pre-industrial England were farm dogs. You know what they were used for? To protect the farmer from the bull when he was trying to feed, castrate, or breed him. If the bull turned to gore the farmer, the bull dog would subdue the bull by biting the bull on the nose and holding on until the bull submitted. Because of the nature of their job, bulldogs were bred to have powerful, muscular bodies, and the resolve to hold onto a violently struggling bull, even when injured.

That’s the sort of picture the Apostle Paul is drawing for Timothy here with words like “hold on to,” “guard,” and “entrusted.” Timothy, grab hold of this Gospel, this doctrine, this dogma and do not let go no matter how violently life shakes! Latch on to it as if your life and the life of those you shepherd depend on it — like a bulldog protecting the farmer from the bull. Put the dog in dogma, Timothy.

What are you doing with the truth of God’s Word that has been entrusted to you?

Scotty