Allchin quotes F.D. Maurice on the purpose of doctrines:
In asserting the doctrine of the Atonement, we assert redemption, liberty for mankind, union with God, union with each other. … When we assert the doctrine of the Trinity, we do so because we believe it to be the grand foundation of all society, the only ground of universal fellowship, the only idea of a God of love. … All we want is to maintain a principle without which, we say, men would be divided from each other; a principle which, while we maintain it enables us to claim fellowship with every man who will not disclaim it with us. For the sake of the poor man - for the sake of the denier of these truths … we assert and uphold them; for we find them to be the keynotes to all the harmonies of the world, and that without them, all would be broken and dissonant.
But far too often we hold them in order exert control over other people or to assure ourselves that we “possess” God:
We cannot over-estimate the damage done to our whole understanding of what knowledge of God is, and what it is for, by the exigencies of polemic and controversy. God’s revelation of himself has been treated not as a transcendent gift to man, given for the healing and restoration of human life, but as the possession of a particular group of men, a weapon to be used for the annihilation of their opponents.
