Doctrine vs. Culture: What’s the Difference?

In a world driven by self-centered goals, where ambition often trumps authenticity, the church is called to something radically different—a life shaped by gospel culture. Gospel culture is meant to be our target. Without a clear aim, we’ll drift, pulled by the currents of whatever is easiest or most convenient. But gospel culture anchors us, reminding us of who we are and who we’re called to become.

The foundation of this culture is gospel doctrine: the central truths and beliefs we hold as non-negotiable. These doctrines—statements of faith rooted in Scripture—are unchanging, providing stability in an ever-shifting world.

Yet gospel doctrine isn’t enough on its own. We’re called to embody these truths, to let them shape how we live and interact with others. Philippians 2 shows us the model of humility in Jesus, who, though He was God, made Himself nothing, serving others with deep compassion and humility.

You Can’t Separate Gospel Doctrine from Gospel Culture

Gospel doctrine gives us the essential truths we stand on, but gospel culture is the way we live in response to those truths. It’s how we treat the people around us, the way we embody the fruits of the Spirit, and the love we show in practical ways. While doctrine is foundational, culture is its expression.

When gospel doctrine is emphasized without gospel culture, hypocrisy seeps in. We risk becoming like the Pharisees—well-versed in truth but missing the spirit of it in our lives.

On the other hand, a gospel culture that lacks doctrine is weak and unstable. There’s no foundation, leaving us to be tossed around by whatever feels right at the moment.

In both cases, we fall short of the full picture. Doctrine and culture aren’t at odds; they are two sides of the same coin. Gospel culture and doctrine must work together, calling us to live in a way that honors the spirit and truth of our faith.

Grace First: The Heart of Gospel Doctrine

Ephesians 2:8-10 reminds us that salvation is a gift of grace—it’s not something we earn or deserve. Jesus used the parable of the man with a massive debt to illustrate the incredible mercy God has extended to us. This mercy forms the heart of gospel doctrine.

We owed a debt to God far greater than any wrong that could be done to us, yet He forgave us freely. Grace changes everything; it humbles us and reminds us that we’re all in need of mercy. This foundational truth should shape our culture, filling our relationships with grace and patience.

But grace also calls us to live differently. As 1 John illustrates, a Christian without the fruit of the Spirit is as meaningless as a fire without heat. If we say we believe but don’t live it out, our faith becomes empty.

Does it mean we’re liars if we struggle or stumble? No—it’s more helpful to think in terms of trajectory. Which direction are we moving? Our lives should show a steady movement toward Christ, even if we stumble along the way.

It Requires Active Participation

In Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard, he reveals a framework for transformation: Vision, Intention, and Means (VIM).

Transformation in our lives begins with a vision—a glimpse of a new future. The gospel calls us to envision a life that reflects Jesus, filled with love, grace, and truth. But vision alone isn’t enough. Without intention and the right means, vision remains just a dream.

True change requires commitment, and our habits, practices, and character all play a part in this. Buying a Peloton without consistently using it doesn’t produce change; we have to engage with the process intentionally.

In the same way, the gospel isn’t something we receive once and forget about. We are transformed continually through silence, solitude, time in God’s Word, and community.

The church is specifically set up to support this growth, as points of friction in community often reveal things we hadn’t seen in ourselves before. It’s in these moments that we grow—both through encouragement and accountability. Apart from relationships, there is no true accountability, no real growth.

Living a Fully Integrated Life

One of the greatest challenges we face is the temptation to compartmentalize—to separate our spiritual life from our day-to-day reality. We don’t always let our faith influence how we spend our time, money, or interact with others. But gospel culture calls for a life that’s fully integrated, where every aspect of who we are is shaped by Jesus. This journey of integration requires active participation; it’s not automatic, but it’s transformative.

Gospel culture calls us to be fully human, in the truest sense of the word. As we grow in Christ, we’re becoming more like Him—more loving, more selfless, and more gracious. In a way, we’re becoming who we were always meant to be.