Interesting, Important, and Essential Doctrines

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So we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes (Ephesians 4:14, ESV).

Christians love to discuss doctrines, and let’s be honest, too often the discussion progresses to animated debate and anger.  

Are doctrines worth heated arguments? Shouldn’t we stand for truth? Doctrines can be serious business, as we don’t want to believe heresy or lose effectiveness for Christ by believing the wrong teachings!

The Greek word translated “doctrine” can also be translated “teaching.” In 2,000 years, the church has accumulated a lot of teachings, many of which aren’t clearly taught in the Bible, and while interesting, are not a requirement for salvation.

To help understand which doctrines are worth a heated debate, through the years as a pastor, I developed three categories of teachings: Interesting, Important, and Essential!

Interesting

I love discussing interesting teachings and Bible facts, but many of the topics that we argue about aren’t crucial for spiritual growth or essential for salvation. I would place the timing of the “rapture” in this category. The rapture is Biblical, and while exciting to discuss whether it occurs pre-, mid-, or post-tribulation, it isn’t that important for growing in Christ, and certainly not essential for salvation.

Have nice discussions with interesting topics from the Bible, but don’t argue; it’s okay to have differing opinions.

Important

I believe that “be filled with the Spirit” in Ephesians 5:18 is both interesting and important.  

Learning the ways and means of the Spirit means the correct attitude towards releasing spiritual gifts and exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit. If a person doesn’t believe in the correct teachings of the Spirit, while not losing their salvation, they may not walk in the full power of the Spirit or be prepared for the intricacies of spiritual warfare in the end times.

As a pastor, I preached discipleship, the fullness of the Spirit, having hope in the soon return of Jesus, and other important topics that would impact the growth of believers attending the church. And while these doctrines are important, there is room for opinion and discussion, but our conclusions won’t impact whether or not we get to heaven.

Essential

There are seven essential doctrines of the Christian faith — let’s count:

1. The Godhead 
2. Creation 
3. Sin 
4. Jesus is the only way 
5. The resurrection 
6. The truth of the Bible and 
7. Jesus returns

There are many essential nuances in the seven topics above, such as the Spirit today (included in #1), grace (important and I include it with #5), the church (included in #1, #5, and #6), and the importance of worship (included in all).

These doctrines are interesting, important, and essential. We should fight for them as core distinctives of the Christian faith. When Paul confronted false teachers in the Galatian church who were undermining the correct teaching about grace by promoting the need for circumcision, he wrote …

But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! (Galatians 5:11-12).

Those are fighting words, and essential doctrines should be defended at all costs! 

However, we should tone it down a bit from Paul’s language when discussing interesting doctrines, perhaps be a little bit more passionate with important teachings, and it’s okay to be blistering when defending the essential doctrines.

A caveat about “blistering,” as Paul wrote to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), knowing that “love” infers “what’s best for others,” which can include standing strongly against error in essential matters.

Interesting, Important, Essential! Now go debate.