Dogma is a principle or set of principles laid down as authoritative. It is a doctrine that must be believed. It is not up for debate. It is not optional. It is the official teaching of the church. Dogma comes from the Greek dokeo, meaning to seem or to think. It came to mean a decree or an opinion. In the church, it means a settled truth. It is the boundary of orthodoxy.

Dogma is not a bad word. It is a necessary word. Without dogma, there is no faith. Without dogma, there is no unity. Without dogma, there is no truth. Dogma defines what Christians believe. It defines what the church teaches. It defines what is essential. The Trinity is a dogma. The incarnation is a dogma. The resurrection is a dogma. These are not opinions. They are truths. They are revealed by God. They are defined by the church. They are believed by the faithful.

Dogma in Christianity

• Trinity: one God in three persons.
• Incarnation: God became man in Christ.
• Atonement: Christ died for our sins.
• Resurrection: Christ rose from the dead.
• Virgin birth: Christ was born of a virgin.

Dogma is not a curse. It is a blessing. It is the church's answer to error. It is the church's guide for faith. It is the church's anchor in the storm. Dogma is the boundary. It keeps the church from drifting. It keeps the church from heresy. It keeps the church from confusion. Dogma is not a prison. It is a home. It is the truth that sets you free. Dogma is not the enemy of faith. It is the foundation of faith. It is the church's confession. It is the church's teaching. It is the church's dogma. And it is for our good. It is for our salvation. It is for our joy. It is for our peace. It is dogma.