Cynical view of doctrine

To a point, right doctrine is critically important for the unity of the church. But after some other point, the never-ending proliferation of doctrine upon doctrine simply becomes absurd, as Mark Horne scathingly observes:

Doctrine upholds the status of a ruling class, if only in their own minds. When outsiders agree with the doctrine, then the doctrine is in danger of failing in its function--it threatens to become a source of unity rather than a tool of exclusion. This danger can easily be remedied. There is potentially an infinite chain of doctrines implicit in any doctrine. Just regress far enough down the chain until the outsider fails to affirm the words you want him to use. As soon as that occurs, you can reinforce the barriers you need to maintain.

I only wish Mark were overstating his case here, but I'm afraid not.