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Essential vs. Non-Essential Doctrine

JesusFan

Well-Known Member
Examples

Tier I. Doctrine of God, Salvation (Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone), Trinity,

Tier II. Baptism (Pedo vs Credo), Spiritual Gifts,

Tier III. Church Government, when to meet, where to meet, Eschatology,

Tier I are Non-Negotiables. The most important Doctrines of the Church

Tier II are Not essential to the Christian Faith. Christian’s hold varying views of the Church, Baptism Operations of the Spirit etc.

Tier III. Not really worth dividing over. There are various views that are tertiary in nature
Very good, as would indeed see essentials as truths and doctrines that one must hold to be real Christians!
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
All false doctrines are essential to be considered questionable, if not declared false. Otherwise we are vulnerable to "another gospel."

Is the bible the inspired word of God? Yes
Those that add or subtract from its message hinder Christ's ministry.

Can the lost in their fallen state based on their response to God's revelation, seek God and put their faith in Christ? Yes
Those that deny this basic Christianity 101 doctrine lack an essential understanding of truth.

Does God choose individuals for salvation through or by way of our credited faith? Yes
Those that deny this basic Christianity 101 doctrine lack an essential understanding of truth.[/QUOTE]
 

JesusFan

Well-Known Member
All false doctrines are essential to be considered questionable, if not declared false. Otherwise we are vulnerable to "another gospel."

Is the bible the inspired word of God? Yes
Those that add or subtract from its message hinder Christ's ministry.

Can the lost in their fallen state based on their response to God's revelation, seek God and put their faith in Christ? Yes
Those that deny this basic Christianity 101 doctrine lack an essential understanding of truth.

Does God choose individuals for salvation through or by way of our credited faith? Yes
Those that deny this basic Christianity 101 doctrine lack an essential understanding of truth.
[/QUOTE]
Calvinism is not a false gospel, as its just a system that seeks to understand Sotierology proper of the whole of scriptures to us!
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Calvinism is not a false gospel, as it's just a system that seeks to understand Sotierology proper of the whole of scriptures to us!

Can the lost in their fallen state based on their response to God's revelation, seek God and put their faith in Christ? Yes
Those that deny this basic Christianity 101 doctrine lack an essential understanding of truth.

Does God choose individuals for salvation through or by way of our credited faith? Yes
Those that deny this basic Christianity 101 doctrine lack an essential understanding of truth.
 

JesusFan

Well-Known Member
Can the lost in their fallen state based on their response to God's revelation, seek God and put their faith in Christ? Yes
Those that deny this basic Christianity 101 doctrine lack an essential understanding of truth.

Does God choose individuals for salvation through or by way of our credited faith? Yes
Those that deny this basic Christianity 101 doctrine lack an essential understanding of truth.
Do lost sinners have inherit faith, or do they require God to gift them with saving faith?
 

Lodic

Well-Known Member
I'm not sure there really is much essential doctrine other than the diety of Christ, the bodily incarnation, bodily death, and bodily resurrection of Christ and believers

Trinity is not essential. Because even a Modalist believes those doctrines that are actually treaded asessential in scripture.
I am not familiar with this view. Do Modalists believe in the diety of Christ Jesus?
 

JesusFan

Well-Known Member
I am not familiar with this view. Do Modalists believe in the diety of Christ Jesus?
They hold that there is but One God, but that in the OT known as the father, in NT as Jesus, and now as the Holy Spirit, but how can that be, as all 3 showed up at same time at Jesus water Baptism?
 

Lodic

Well-Known Member
They hold that there is but One God, but that in the OT known as the father, in NT as Jesus, and now as the Holy Spirit, but how can that be, as all 3 showed up at same time at Jesus water Baptism?
Agreed. Weird doctrine. Thanks.
 

37818

Well-Known Member
They hold that there is but One God, but that in the OT known as the father, in N
T as Jesus, and now as the Holy Spirit, but how can that be, as all 3 showed up at same time at Jesus waterBaptism?
That is not the problem.
He was the LORD on earth and the LORD from Heaven at the same time, Genesis 19:24. As the man on the cross paying and maintaining creation, Hebrews 1:3. The man at the right-hand of God and God, 1 Timothy 2:5. This issue is that they are as distinct Persons. The problem is the personhood which is in evidence is being denied. God is one and not a deceiver. The Persons are really and are really the same God. More, Mark 13:32, Acts of the Apostles 1:7. Actually different Persons. God is not a deceiver.
 
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JesusFan

Well-Known Member
That is not the problem.
He was the LORD on earth and the LORD from Heaven at the same time, Genesis 19:24. As the man on the cross paying and maintaining creation, Hebrews 1:3. The man at the right-hand of God and God, 1 Timothy 2:5. This issue is that they are as distinct Persons. The problem is the personhood which is in evidence is being denied. God is one and not a deceiver. The Persons are really and are really the same God. More, Mark 13:32, Acts of the Apostles 1:7. Actually different Persons. God is not a deceiver.
God is 3 distinct "persons"!
 

JesusFan

Well-Known Member
That is not the problem.
He was the LORD on earth and the LORD from Heaven at the same time, Genesis 19:24. As the man on the cross paying and maintaining creation, Hebrews 1:3. The man at the right-hand of God and God, 1 Timothy 2:5. This issue is that they are as distinct Persons. The problem is the personhood which is in evidence is being denied. God is one and not a deceiver. The Persons are really and are really the same God. More, Mark 13:32, Acts of the Apostles 1:7. Actually different Persons. God is not a deceiver.
Yes, all of the heresies of Unitarianism, Modualism, and Oneness deny God eternally exists in 3 persons, blessed Trinity!
 

Lodic

Well-Known Member
I believe essential, non-negotiable doctrines are:
  • Monotheism (one God)
  • Deity of Christ Jesus, God come in the flesh, born of the Virgin Mary
  • Crucifixion, Death, Burial, and Bodily Resurrection of Christ Jesus
  • Man fell from Grace in the Garden of Eden, and all people are born in sin thereafter
  • Salvation is by grace through faith in the substitutionary atonement of Christ
Secondary doctrines:
  • Eschatology (different views of the "End Times")
  • Calvinism vs Arminianism
  • Present day "Gifts of the Spirit" vs "Cessation"
  • Age of the Earth
  • Saturday vs Sunday worship
I'm sure there are dozens of non-essential doctrines, so I will end my list there.
 

JesusFan

Well-Known Member
I believe essential, non-negotiable doctrines are:
  • Monotheism (one God)
  • Deity of Christ Jesus, God come in the flesh, born of the Virgin Mary
  • Crucifixion, Death, Burial, and Bodily Resurrection of Christ Jesus
  • Man fell from Grace in the Garden of Eden, and all people are born in sin thereafter
  • Salvation is by grace through faith in the substitutionary atonement of Christ
Secondary doctrines:
  • Eschatology (different views of the "End Times")
  • Calvinism vs Arminianism
  • Present day "Gifts of the Spirit" vs "Cessation"
  • Age of the Earth
  • Saturday vs Sunday worship
I'm sure there are dozens of non-essential doctrines, so I will end my list there.
Styles of worship, versions of bible, types of entertainment etc!
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
What Scripture says they can? I can give you tons that say they can't.
What scripture says they can't, I could give you scripture that says

Some verses indicate that some of the time the lost are unable to set their minds on spiritual things, such as when they are sinning, but no support for the lost to never be able to set their minds on some spiritual things is found in scripture. Consider Matthew 23:13 where the lost are in the process of entering the kingdom of heaven.
 

Reformed1689

Well-Known Member
What scripture says they can't, I could give you scripture that says

Some verses indicate that some of the time the lost are unable to set their minds on spiritual things, such as when they are sinning, but no support for the lost to never be able to set their minds on some spiritual things is found in scripture. Consider Matthew 23:13 where the lost are in the process of entering the kingdom of heaven.
Oh, I meant Scripture without eisegesis.
 
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