Indoctrination

Have you ever noticed, in the evolution of the language, how some words start out as innocuous, even good, but end up negative? Take, for instance, "puritan". Originally it was a term applied to a group of 16th century Protestants who were known for simplified doctrine and worship and strict religious discipline. They were so called for their purity of doctrine and living. Now, of course, it refers to rigid people with upright morals and no joy. An insult. Or consider "Fundamentalism". That once meant merely those who held to the fundamentals of the faith. In a world where Christendom was straying off into all sorts of ideas -- many of which could no longer be called "Christian" -- the Fundamentalists called for a return to straightforward biblical Christianity. Not so bad, is it? Of course, today it is a term of contempt intended to suggest narrow-minded and perhaps even dangerous teaching. "Islamic Fundamentalists", for instance, is the term applied to those who call themselves "Muslims" and preach the killing of non-believers. Dangerous, see? And how is that any different from "Christian Fundamentalists"? It's a bad thing.

A couple of months ago I was talking to a mother whose high schooler was going to a Christian school. The student was talking about his concern that the school was indoctrinating them into the school's beliefs. And clearly that was a bad thing.

The dictionary says "indoctrinate" means "to instruct in a doctrine, principle, ideology, etc.", "to teach or inculcate", or "to imbue with learning." Yeah, that's pretty evil stuff. Of course, it has shifted since then. Now it includes the sense of "partisan or biased belief" and includes an implied sense of believing uncritically. Earlier synonyms for "indoctrinate" might have been "proselytize" or "persuade", but now it's more at "brainwash" and "propagandize". In its current use, at its most mild, it means to inculcate someone into a specific point of view. (Oh, and "inculcate" means to implant ideas by repetitious, persistent, and earnest teaching.) And that, dear readers, is evil.

Part of the problem with "indoctrination", I suppose, is with the root word, "doctrine". Even some Christians don't like the term. It sounds too ... narrow. It means "a set of beliefs held by a group", but to many people that's a bad thing. It is wrong to have a single "set of beliefs". At least, that's what their doctrine holds. That it would offend Christians confuses me. Paul said that the law was good for preventing people (including "men who practice homosexuality") from doing that which is "contrary to sound doctrine." (1 Tim 1:8-11) He warned against those who teach "a different doctrine" (1 Tim 6:3-5; see also 1 Tim 1:3). He told Titus that church leaders must "hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it." (Titus 1:9) Oh, yes, the Bible is in favor of doctrine.

So what about me? I'm not afraid to take an unpopular position. I'm in favor of "Puritan" beliefs. Anyone who opts for a biblical Christianity and strives for holy living is wise in my view. I'm in favor of fundamentalism. A theology based on the fundamentals of the Word of God and historical orthodox Christianity is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. And what about "indoctrination"? Well, of course, I'm all for "teaching them to observe" all that Christ commands. Which, of course, is "indoctrination." I'm glad to instruct in doctrine, to teach, to imbue learning. To in-doctrinate someone in the doctrines of the faith seems not only a good thing, but a biblical one (2 Tim 2:2). But, then, this is all the same problem. Words change. And I can't seem to keep up. Someday I hope someone will tell me the new terminology I can use to express "the lifelong union of a man and a woman for the purpose of mutual support and for procreation" and "biblical Christianity and holy living" and "learning and embracing right doctrine." Until then, I'll still be a happily married puritanical fundamentalist bent on indoctrinating others. All without any of the negative connotations. Someone appears to have stolen the terms I've been using. Or maybe it's just that many, including a large number of people who call themselves Christians, think that those are bad things. Of course, they do so in opposition to Scripture, but try to get them to see that.