What is Doctrine?

"Doctrine can never take the place of Jesus himself, but we can't know him and relate to him in the right way without doctrine. This is because doctrine tells us not only what God has done but also what his actions mean to us... 'These two elements are always combined in the Christian message,' [J. Gresham] Machen continues. 'The narration of the facts is history; the narration of the facts with the meaning of the facts is doctrine. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried - that is history. He loved me and gave himself for me - this is doctrine.' Doctrine is the meaning of the story God is writing in the world. It's the explanation of what he's done and why he's done it and why it matters to you and me."

Joshua Harris, Dug Down Deep, pg. 31.