This works in both directions. That is, knowing the doctrines helps us to know "Jesus in all His beauty", which I would take to be synonymous with "God's character." (quite a nice equivalence; "Jesus in all His beauty" is quite beautiful).

For example, the doctrine of the state of the dead tells us certain things about God. We know God will not torture those who disobey Him for all eternity. That's a stumbling block for many.

The message which God has to prepare the world for the coming of Christ is a message of His character. The doctrines help us to understand His character, and, as pointed out, His character (aka "Jesus in all His beauty") gives meaning to the doctrine.

The pharisees are examples on the fact that full knowledge of the doctrines in no way guarantees even the slightest knowledge about Jesus.

I don't think so. They didn't have a full knowledge of their doctrines. Not even close. They only thought they did.

Jesus told them, "You make vain the commandments of God by your traditions" (I can't remember the exact quote). If they had understood the commandments, they wouldn't have substituted manmade traditions for them.

If they had understood the sanctuary doctrine, they would have understood Christ's mission.

I think they had full knowledge of the doctrines, but I admit to you that they lacked full understanding of them. As to manmade traditions, they were just a few generations ahead of us regarding that. Keep the sabbath holy the doctrine says. They asked, how do we do that? By not walking in our own buisness. Hence a choise to limmit ones walking in one generation became a custom in the second and a tradition in the third until it was all but codified in the fourth generation. We asked, how do we keep the sabbath holy? By not washing ourselves on sabbath hours. Washing was done by full immersion of the body, as is swimming. Thus no swimming since it is almost washing and therefore unlawfull, said the first generation. The second generation made it custom and the third generation made it tradition. Im sure there are fourth generations around who are busy codifying right as we speak and had it not been for the loss of ground by our fundamentalist factions we would read about it in the 28th by now...

Knowledge without understanding is counterproductive. It's "unknowledge."

I fully agree. Doctrinal truths, when understood, helps us understand Him who is the Truth.

I'm going with Tom on this one. We cannot have real knowledge of doctrine without understanding.

A: We cannot have real knowledge of doctrine without understanding.

MM: Amen! The Proverbs agree, too.

Proverbs
2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs
9:10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.