Dry and Useless Doctrine

Beholding the glory of Christ is more than beholding correct and accurate doctrinal concepts of Christ. It must be. It is certainly that, but it is more than that. There are, I'm sure, many unregenerate people who could formulate and articulate an acceptable doctrine of Christ; but this is not beholding his glory. There must be, along with a right understanding of the doctrines of Christ, a real and living relationship. We must be regenerated if we would truly behold "the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV)

Jown Owen writes,

Men may still hold a right doctrine of Christ; but beholding the glory of Christ does not lie in remembering doctrine. Men may have the outward form of godliness but no longer have the encouragement of Christ's presence and glory ... without his presence with us and without a sight of his glory, all doctrinal knowledge of him is dry and useless. Any view we have of his glory is but fanciful imagination or superstition without any transforming power. But if we behold his glory we grow more and more in grace, holiness and obedience. 

(Law, R. J. K. The Glory of Christ. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1994. Print.109-111)