Nostalgia led me to St. Andrew’s Church, Ogudu, Lagos, during Passion Week. What I encountered was unexpected.
The preacher warned against relying on religion as a pathway to salvation. That moment challenged a long-held assumption that religiosity is central to orthodox worship.
Preaching on betrayal and allegiance, he drew attention to a difficult truth. Being religious does not mean being spiritually aligned. Idol worshippers are also religious. In that sense, Christianity rooted only in ritual risks missing its essence.
Judas Iscariot became the central example. He was present, involved, and religious. Yet he lacked conviction and ultimately betrayed Christ.
This reflection rests on a central argument: orthodox Christian denominations will achieve more by prioritising doctrine over dogma.
Doctrine represents the revelation of Christ through Scripture. It is living truth that shapes belief and behaviour.
Dogma, however, reflects ritual, tradition, and practices shaped largely by human interpretation.
The distinction is not new. In Colossians 2:8, Apostle Paul warns against being captured by human philosophies instead of Christ.
Read Also: IBAN Demands Apology from Wike, Threatens Boycott
Doctrine transforms. Dogma performs.
The message from that service stood in contrast to a recent online reaction from a Catholic worshipper who expressed dissatisfaction after Mass. Her concern was not about attendance or structure. It was about spiritual emptiness.
That sentiment sparked debate. Some defended the depth of priestly training. Others pointed to a growing disconnect between theological knowledge and spiritual impact.
The question then becomes: is the issue a lack of training, or a lack of Spirit-led teaching?
Years of study in ancient languages mean little if the message does not reach the heart. Scripture consistently points to the Holy Spirit as the ultimate teacher.
The Balance Within Worship
In many orthodox traditions, worship is structured into two parts:
- The Liturgy of the Word
- The Liturgy of the Eucharist
For many adherents, the Eucharist is seen as the pinnacle of worship.
But this raises a fundamental concern. Can ritual take precedence over the Word?
Christ’s own teaching suggests otherwise. Man is sustained not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from God. His words, He said, are spirit and life.
This places doctrine at the centre of spiritual growth.
A Needed Shift
Encouragingly, some voices within the Church are already addressing this gap. Clergy have emphasised the need for intentional, prayerful preparation in delivering messages that speak directly to the soul.
This is where doctrine becomes alive — not as information, but as transformation.
For orthodox denominations, the path forward may not require abandoning tradition, but rebalancing it.
Final Reflection
The Church stands at an important moment.
To remain spiritually relevant, especially in a changing world, it must move:
- From ritual to revelation
- From performance to purpose
- From tradition to truth
People do not come to church merely to observe.
They come to be fed.
And that nourishment must come from doctrine, not dogma.
