Rooted and Relevant: the dynamic tension between Doctrine and Theology

This text tackles the theological opinion that could be worded as follows: the pursuit of relevance is an admission of irrelevance. A religion that longs for change only demonstrates that it has already changed too much to survive. The belief that you need a better style to sell your substance is a confession that you have no substance at all.

These statements aim to show the dangers of chasing cultural trends in the Church. While they are have merit, they might oversimplify the issue. They can also confuse Christians who want to follow the example of their ancestors by being the Church in their own time. 

While the essence of the Church cannot be controlled by cultural moods, at the same time, its mission today cannot be tied to the preferences of the past only. Dealing with this tension help us understand how the Church can stay faithful while engaging with the world around it.

Definition and Subjectivity of Relevance

Here is definition of "relevance" in the Christian context: the ability of preaching, teaching and living the Word to relate meaningfully to its context, purpose, or audience. For Christians, relevance often means connecting eternal truths to contemporary experiences. Without a clear definition, the claim "The pursuit of relevance is an admission of irrelevance" becomes tautological and lacks substance. When relevance is tied to context, its indicates a desire to work meaningfully in changing circumstances, not an admission of failure.

Unsupported Assumptions About Change

The claim that "A religion that longs for change only demonstrates that it has already changed too much to survive" assumes that change hampers survival. However, history shows that adaptability often fosters growth. For example, the early Christian Church adapted its language, metaphors, and practices to engage diverse cultures. Change does not equate to instability but can be a sign of vitality when grounded in core theological truths. Without evidence, the assertion remains speculative and subjective.

The Relativity of "Better Style"

The final claim, "The belief that you need a better style to sell your substance is a confession that you have no substance at all," is equally problematic. The term "better" is subjective, reflecting the perspective of the observer. Efforts to communicate substance should effectively point to a commitment to clarity and engagement. For example, Martin Luther's use of the printing press and vernacular translations aimed to improve accessibility, not dilute doctrine.

Relevance is not about abandoning substance but about faithfully applying it within context. Theological relevance ensures that ancient truths speak into contemporary lives. This is not a pursuit of "style" or superficiality but a recognition that human needs, language, and culture shape how people engage with the Gospel. The pursuit of relevance, when properly understood, reflects theological clarity and pastoral responsibility rather than weakness.

Doctrine and Theology

The discussion leads us into the field where the Church has showed its most outstanding case for sharing unchanging content in ever changing contexts. The relationship between Doctrine and Theology.

The tension between unchangeable and contextual has been a constant in the Christian Church for centuries, and it cannot be dismissed with a simplistic answer. It is most clearly observed in the dynamics between doctrine and theology. Understanding these two distinct yet interconnected aspects of the faith reveals why the pursuit of relevance is not an admission of irrelevance but a necessary expression of faithfulness in a changing world.

Doctrine: What Never Changes

Doctrine never changes. It makes us rooted as it presents the timeless truths of Scripture, those unchangeable elements grounded in God's Word and summarized in the Church's confessions. As the Apostle Paul writes, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Doctrine is unshakable because it is describes the eternal nature of God and His promises. Examples include the doctrine of justification by faith alone (Romans 3:28), the nature of the Holy Trinity (Matthew 28:19), and the incarnation of Christ (John 1:14). These truths do not shift with culture or circumstance.

Confessional Lutherans, for instance, affirm that the Augsburg Confession, the Small Catechism, and the Book of Concord uphold these doctrinal truths as drawn from Scripture itself. As the Augsburg Confession asserts, “The Church is the assembly of saints in which the Gospel is taught purely and the Sacraments are administered rightly” (Article VII). These doctrines provide the foundation on which theology builds.

Theology: biblical teaching in context

Generally speaking, Doctrine and Theology are one and the same, for both are derived from the Word of God. However, Theology sometimes can also be the application of doctrine to specific contexts, which means it necessarily interacts with it and its changing human circumstances. While Doctrine remains constant, Theology may have slightly or significantly interpretations and applications in a given context, setting or culture. That is more evident in topics not directly taught or broached by Scripture. Theology may have shifts and adaptations - though it should never harm core doctrinal teachings. In the History of Confessional Lutheranism, this contrast shows in several topics and issues. For example:

• Liturgy: The early Church emphasized certain aspects of liturgical uniformity, for example, in the Didache, which differ from those in the Lutheran Service Book. Lutherans did not have a problem in adapting liturgy over time to balance tradition and accessibility.
• Slavery: Theological reasons were given for Christians possessing slaves in times when it was legal. Now, Theological reasons are given to strongly condemn slavery.
• Women’s Role in the Church: The teaching of Church historically has prevented women from voting and occupying certain positions of leadership. Guided by theological reflection, today many Lutheran churches allow women to vote and hold leadership positions, including in national boards and as chairpersons of a local congregation.
• Suicide and Divorce: Earlier theological approaches often viewed these topics differently than the current Lutheran theological practice, which emphasizes pastoral care, recognizing the complexities of human brokenness under God’s grace.

Other topics such as communion practices, marriage and divorce, and political engagement also point to Theology’s dynamic nature. Closed communion, for instance, is a practice grounded in the doctrine about the Sacrament (1 Corinthians 11:27-29), but its theological application varies depending on contextual and theological-pastoral considerations. Further examples of diverse Theological approaches may be found in cohabitation before marriage, divorce and remarriage of ministers, church music and civil disobedience.

Tension Embraced by Grace

This interdependent relationship between doctrine and theology demonstrates that the Church does not ignore the tension between the unchangeable and the adaptable—it embraces it. As Paul reminds us, “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible” (1 Corinthians 9:19). Paul’s example shows that relevance in application does not compromise the substance of the faith but serves it. Far from being a weakness, this dynamic tension is a sign of the Church’s vitality and dependence on God’s grace. Theological reflection may lead to change, but it is always anchored in the unchanging Word, as confessed in the Small Catechism: “The Word of God is the treasure that makes everything holy” (LC, Preface, 12). 

It is under this grace that the Church navigates the complexities of culture, time, and human need while holding fast to the eternal truth of the Scriptures. Defining relevance and change assuming a priori negative outcomes disregards the dynamic nature of effective communication. Dismissing it outright oversimplifies the complex interplay between substance and context in the life of the Church.

When rooted in timeless truth and attention to context, relevance is the opposite of an admission of irrelevance. It is a hallmark of the faithful witness that the Church has been giving for over 20 centuries. And counting.