Following is a proposed chart that offers a layout of biblical orthodoxy. It is designed to help categorize various doctrines into levels of importance. I admit that some of these are debatable and I do not claim absolute correctness on all points -- only the essentials. It is an attempt to develop an understanding based on what Scripture actually says rather than what a lot of people like to declare is essential. This chart is a suggestion which, I hope, will aid people in discerning what is essential from what is not essential.
I divide Christian theology into two categories: Primary and Secondary Essentials. Primary essentials are doctrines the scriptures explicitly declare are essential. But, with the secondary essentials the scriptures do not make such statements. The secondary essentials are derived from the primary essentials and properly define orthodoxy.
C H R I S T I A N -- D O C T R I N E | ||
RELIGIOUS GROUPS | IMPORTANCE | SUBJECT |
| Groups denying these: Mormons - 3,4,5 Jehovah's Witnesses - 1,2,3 Roman Catholicism - 3 Christian Science - 1,2,3,4 Christadelphians - 1,3 | Primary Essentials Stated specifically in scripture that these cannot be denied and still be a Christian. They deal with the nature of God, the atonement, and its method of salvation applied to the believer. Denial of any Primary essential constitutes lack of regeneration, lack of salvation. Note: Regeneration means the believer is indwelt by God, changed, and enabled to understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:15) | 1) Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1,14;8:24; Col. 2:9; 1 John 4:1-4). 2) Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14). 3) Salvation is by grace through faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-2; 5:1-4). 4) The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus according to the scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 1:8-9). 5) There is only one God (Exodus 20:3;Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8) |
| Comments: Denial of any of the above doctrines as stated in scripture constitutes being non-Christian. | ||
| Groups denying these: Oneness Pentecostal - 6 Mormonism - 6, 7? Jehovah's Witnesses - 6 Christadelphians - 6 | Secondary Essentials Not stated in scripture as essential, but are derivatively essential since they deal with accurately describing the true God and they are based, in part, on the Primary Essentials. Denial strongly suggests lack of regeneration. | 6) God exists as a Trinity of persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (See Trinity) 7) Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (nature of incarnation) 8) Jesus is the only way to God the Father (John 14:6). |
| Comments: God is a Trinity and though a person may not understand or initially affirm the Trinity doctrine upon regeneration, he will eventually come to accept it since it is a biblically true revelation describing the true God. Jesus was born of a virgin which is essential when defending the two natures of Jesus: divine and human. If Jesus were not born of a virgin, then His patronage would be in doubt as well as His divine nature. Without a divine nature, Jesus would not be able to atone for the sins of the world. | ||
| Most Groups affirm: Moral integrity, marriage fidelity, inerrancy, etc. Mormonism denies - 12 ICOC denies 13 | Primary Non-Essentials (1 John 2:4) Can be denied and still be Christian. Yet, denial would bring into question a person's regeneration since acceptance of these show the work of regeneration of the heart | 9) Moral integrity (Exodus 20:1-17) 10) Fidelity in marriage in heterosexual relationships 11) The condemnation of homosexuality. 12) Inerrancy of the Bible 13) Baptism is not necessary for salvation (Acts 10:44-48) |
| Comments: The fruit of the indwelling Spirit of God is agreement in word and deed with the scriptures. The Primary Non-Essentials are those teachings that the Bible does not declare as essential to salvation; however, to affirm otherwise is evidence of lack of regeneration since they are the fruit of the regenerate mind and heart. | ||
| Denomination Division Denominational difference often result due to these issues. | Secondary Non-Essentials Any of them can be denied, or affirmed, and regeneration is not in question. | 14) Predestination, election, limited atonement, and free will. 15) Communion every week, monthly, or quarterly, etc. 16) Saturday or Sunday Worship. 17) Pre, mid, post trib rapture. 18) Premill, Amill, Postmill., preterism. 19) Continuation or cessation of the charismatic gifts 20) Baptism for adults or infants. 21) Musical Instruments in church |
| Comments: The subjects above whether affirmed or denied have no bearing on the status of a person before God. They are opinions, various positions held. Unfortunately, it is in these non essentials that many denominational differences result. | ||
| Liberal interpretation problem Examples of bad biblical interpretations | Christian Heresies These do not contradict the essentials, but do contradict non essential teachings. | 22) Universalism 23) Open Theism 24) Annihilationism 25) Possession of Christians by demons 26) Christians are to be healthy and wealthy by the fact of being Christians. 27) Women pastors and elders |
| Comments: Affirming the doctrines in this grey section are signs of significant lack of understanding of biblical theology. Nevertheless, believing them does not negate salvation. | ||
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