*DOCTRINE - see DOGMA
The Buddha's teachings is not a rigid doctrine. On the contrary, the Buddha gave various levels of explanation to suit his disciples' varying degrees of intelligence and mental disposition. (Dalai Lama, p17)
Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." (John 7:16‑7) (Yoga, p10)
FAITH is the WAY we live our lives, DOCTRINE is the INTELLECTUAL explanation of this. (Common Sense, p53)
Faith (which is our way of life or living) can not be equated with any particular set of beliefs or doctrine. Doctrine is the way we choose to explain the centrality of Jesus, the way we conceptualize it and put it into words. Religion orients us toward right relationship with God and with our neighbors. Doctrine is subject to the requirements of logic and truth and common sense. THE FAITH WHICH UNITES US IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE DOCTRINE WHICH DIVIDES US. (Common Sense, p90-94)
Some of the following doctrines that I have/am thinking about:
BEFORE CREATION
- Existence - only by perfect goodness, omniscience, omnipotence, and love
***** therefore a Devil does not exist, but devils do *****
- Freedom of Will
- Goodness and Evil
- Angels - gods that are children of God
- Demons
- Archtypes & Greek Philosophy
- Balance
- Symbols
- Life (space and time)
CREATION AND EVOLUTION
- Trinity
- Immanence and Transcendence
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Days (E=mc2)
- 4th, 5th, and 6th Days
- In the Image and Likeness
- Male and Female
- Dominion
- 7th Day
- Garden
- Fall
- Mystery of Salvation
- 8th Day - Salvation via Jesus and the Church
- Catholocism
- Protestantism
- Ecumenial
- Other Religions, esp. Jehovah, Mormons, Buddhism,
- Prayer
FUTURE
- Revelation - archetype of 2nd coming, but history has been repeating itself
- 21st Century
- Alien Spirituality
- Judgment
- Hell
- Purgatory
- Heaven
*DOGMA - see MYSTERY, INITIATION, DOCTRINE
Kerygma (the public teaching of the Church, based on the scriptures) persuades and exhorts by its clear, manifest truth; but the silent or hidden [or esoteric] tradition of dogma (represents the deeper meaning of biblical truth, which can only be apprehended through religious experience and expressed in symbolic form) was a mystery that required initiation. These truths lift us above sense perceptions and concepts to the inexpressible reality of God. We have to leave our denials of God's attributes behind. Then and only then shall we achieve an ecstatic union with God. It is more accurate to call God "Nothing" and if in prayer we plunge into silence and darkness which is beyond intellect [cloud of unknowing], then God will come to meet us. (Hist, p126-8)