Doctrine and Practice

Happy Festivus everyone!

Tolstoy is obviously a Christian and has derives his doctrine of good works from his Christian theology. But does Tolstoy ever show how a Christine doctrine ever prevent a good work? Is it possible or just for a religious belief or doctrine to prevent a follower from doing a good work? If it is possible should the doctrine change or the good work left un-done?

An example would be some Orthodox Jewish doctrines that forbid driving on the Sabbath and the hypothetical need for a vehicle transport of humanitarian supplies. Or, as has been in the papers recently, various Muslim communities forbid single women to associate alone with other men. Of course we can all come up with just acts that a man and woman can undertake together. Do people sometimes hold to a belief as a show of faith when it voids opportunities for good works? What correspondence does this have to many of the pharisees and others who Jesus showed to be living a life lived strictly in observance of the old law while Jesus associated with prostitutes and others since those who are sick are the ones in need of a doctor. Or the famous question posed to Jsus about whether it was within the law (or whether it is just) to heal on the sabbath as Jesus responded witht he question of who would let a sheep suffer in a hole it fell into on the sabbath.

Of course doctrines are open to interpretation but doctrines do lend themselves to a certain type of practice. But if we take doctrine and practice ina zero sum game, which is more important when all is said and done? If we could choose only one, which takes priority? Obviously Tolstoy would choose practice and even though a zero sum game does not exist between doctrine and practice, perhaps it is helpful to create a hypothetical where it does. In asking which we would choose if we coudl have only one, perhaps it would give us some guidance in which, doctrine or practice, should have more priority in our daily lives?

Just some random thoughts.