Part One: Prologue

Any Christian author could write a book on essential and non-essential doctrines, and I have but one page. I must add a few more pages. Therefore, there will be multi-blogs outlining this topic. So, where does one begin? You might say to begin at the beginning. I would start elsewhere, but it is always prudent to start with Jesus. Good call, guys.

There are only five doctrines with which we can contend for our faith in Christ: The deity of Christ, Salvation by grace, the Resurrection, the Gospel, and Monotheism. The secondaries have to do with the first five and are not taken as less in importance. Not by any means. They are the Trinity and the virgin birth. Everything else is up for discussion.

Non-essential doctrines are man-made, interpreted, misquoted, or misunderstood Scripture. Many folks are very protective of their theology. Case in point: non-essential doctrines have caused many a schism in the body of Christ and still do.

v10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. [1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV]

However, there is an exhaustive list of non-essential doctrines in the body of Christ, not the least of which is the Sabbath day, Baptism, eschatology, food and drink, demonology, worship styles, gifts of the Spirit, Bible translations, earth age, and ad infinitum. I will NOT be elaborating on any of the non-essential doctrines but will concentrate on the essential doctrines so as not to cause any schism amongst us.

The Lutheran theologian and educator Ruperus Meldenius [1] coined the phrase “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity (love).” Unity as in Acts 4:12, Liberty as in Colossians 2:16, Charity (Love) as in John 13:35. The Bible is clear on the essential doctrines and we will be looking at each one of them. I pray that this series blesses you. As always, please feel free to comment and let me know anytime, even if you disagree on any point. We can learn from each other.

Father, please extend your patience and mercy on us your children and grant us to be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus. I pray that the brethren would dwell together in unity that we may with one mind and mouth glorify you God. That we would recognize, live, and breathe, with one mind, the essential doctrines of our faith, forgetting those things that separate us, and not losing track of you. I pray this in Jesus name, AMEN and AMEN.

Can two walk together, except they be agreed? [2]
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[1] Ruperus Meldenius Lutheran theologian 3/22/1582 – 6/1/1651
[2] Amos 3:3

Next week: The Deity of Christ