Top Highlights

• Rules summon obedience to specific commands.They require definite actions in narrowly defined cases.We might expect rules to be easy to apply, but they pose challenges if the specific situation they regulate no longer exists.
• Ideals or principles guide a wide range of behavior without specifying particular deeds.
• Doctrines state the cardinal truths of the faith, the fundamentals of a Christian belief system.The form for applying doctrinal statements is, “If doctrine X is true, what follows?” Many judge doctrine to be impractical, perhaps because it is cerebral, perhaps because it seems that the only application is “Believe this.” But few things are more pra...
• Many fall into predictable preaching by dwelling on duty or law—on what people should do—and neglecting other perspectives on the Christian life.
• Character is the distinguishing nature or essence of a person. Character reminds us that Christian living is not just about doing right or wrong. “It is also about the kind of persons we ought to be, the kind of persons who . . . think issues of right and wrong really matter, who love the right and hate the wrong and can be counted on under stress ...