I chose the metaphor of a ladder because a ladder represents movement in a direction. It is hopefully movement in an upwards direction. There are three main components that enable a ladder to function successfully. Those components are the ground and wall upon which the ladder rests, the rails of the ladder that hold the rungs, which are the third component of the ladder.
The ground and wall represent the doctrine. The doctrine is the fundamental truth, this is universal and unchanging. Without the support of sound doctrine the ladder will not function no matter how well the rest of it is built. The rails of the ladder represent the principles into which the tools are placed. The rails are the support for the doctrine and the tools. |
The rails are the beliefs that are brought forth from the doctrine. If the rails are weak, there is no hope that it will be supported by the doctrine no matter how solid the doctrine is.
The final portion of the ladder are the rungs. These are the application of the doctrine and principles. The tools are essential for a ladder. Without the proper tools there is no hope that the ladder will function.The rungs are the object that allows us to move in that upward direction. We can have a solid wall and floor (Doctrine). We can have straight, strong and true rails. But they are nothing more than walls and sticks without the rungs bringing them together as a ladder. The rungs of a ladder can be changed as the builder of the ladder determines that they are not as effective as they hoped that they could be. |