Doctrinal, a.
Etymology: [LL. doctrinalis, fr. L. doctrina: cf. F. doctrinal. See Doctrine.]
1. Pertaining to, or containing, doctrine or something taught and to be believed; as, a doctrinal observation. "Doctrinal clauses." Macaulay.
2. Pertaining to, or having to do with, teaching. The word of God serveth no otherwise than in the nature of a doctrinal instrument. Hooker.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Doctrinal, n.
A matter of doctrine; also, a system of doctrines. T. Goodwin. Sir T. Elyot.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for doctrinal; he lists it under dogmatic.
Where he writes about it:
Dogmatic is technically applied in a good sense to that which is formally enunciated by adequate authority; doctrinal to that which is stated in the form of doctrine to be taught or defended. — from dogmatic
Dogmatic theology, called also "dogmatics," gives definite propositions, which it holds to be delivered by authority; systematic theology considers the same propositions in their logical connection and order as parts of a system; a doctrinal statement is less absolute in its claims than a dogmatic treatise, and may be more partial than the term systematic would imply. — from dogmatic