When Does a Doctrine Become Nonessential?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Oct 28, 2018
33
14
8
#1
The Church generally accepts that christians do not have to agree on every doctrine, but what doctrines can we disagree on?

In my opinion, the only essential doctrines in the Christian Faith are as follows:

* God created everything.
* Every man besides Jesus Christ has sinned.
* Jesus Christ came in the Flesh.
* Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for the sins of humanity.
* Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,627
13,875
113
#2
Unfortunately, Christians don't even agree on which doctrines are essential, let alone actually agreeing on the issues.
 
Oct 28, 2018
33
14
8
#3
Unfortunately, Christians don't even agree on which doctrines are essential, let alone actually agreeing on the issues.
Well, if that's the case, what do you believe the essential doctrines are personally?
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,627
13,875
113
#4
Well, if that's the case, what do you believe the essential doctrines are personally?
I don't spend a lot of time considering the matter, but if I do, it ends up sounding a lot like one of the major creeds... Nicene and/or Apostles'. If I delve down to the absolute non-negotiables, I would (at least) include Jesus' deity, humanity, sinlessness, acceptable sacrifice for sin in death, and resurrection.
 

Sketch

Well-known member
Nov 1, 2018
1,278
300
83
#5
The Church generally accepts that christians do not have to agree on every doctrine, but what doctrines can we disagree on?

In my opinion, the only essential doctrines in the Christian Faith are as follows:

* God created everything.
* Every man besides Jesus Christ has sinned.
* Jesus Christ came in the Flesh.
* Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for the sins of humanity.
* Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father.
What makes a doctrine essential?
If we answer that question, then nonessentials are everything else.

I would say essential to salvation would be the most essential.
Let's run your list through this question.

* God created everything. --- essential for salvation? No.
* Every man besides Jesus Christ has sinned. --- essential for salvation? Yes.
* Jesus Christ came in the Flesh. --- essential for salvation? Yes.
* Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for the sins of humanity. --- essential for salvation? Yes.
* Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father. --- essential for salvation? Yes.
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,541
2,634
113
#6
Essential Doctrines?

1. If "essential doctrine" is generally understood to meaning "doctrines essential for salvation", then it's not complicated.

2. We just make a list of things we must understand and believe, in a rudimentary way, which are necessary (critical) to move from point A to point B.

3. Point A would be "lost and without Christ", and point B would be "saved by Christ and reconciled to God."

4. The main points on this path are easy to arrive at, and are generally agreed upon by orthodox believers.
There are a few sub-points, or bits of minutiae, that are a bit fuzzy. But the main points are pretty simple and clear.



It's possible to get stuck in the weeds, but the main points are generally pretty clear.


...
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#7
I would say that the essential doctrines we must believe in are the Apostles's Creed and the Nicene Creed, more or less.

In a practical life, we must repent and believe the gospel.

And thats pretty much it.

"Bbbbut, but that would make many Catholics saved. That would make many Orthodox saved. That would even make some liberals saved!" Exactly. :sneaky:
 
Sep 9, 2018
2,244
1,032
113
71
Illinois
#8
As a Bible believer I hold to a few absolutes that I consider fundamental to the faith, but I know they would not be accepted here by the majority of posters . . . but the one I believe will stand on its own merit is belief in the Deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His vicarious death for sinners, His literal, and bodily resurrection.

Unbelief in this important biblical doctrine would indicate that the person is lost.
 
Sep 9, 2018
2,244
1,032
113
71
Illinois
#9
I would say that the essential doctrines we must believe in are the Apostles's Creed and the Nicene Creed, more or less.
More or less? How can something be 'essential' if it can not be proven to be infallible? Oh, wait -- you don't even believe that the Bible is without error.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,627
13,875
113
#10
More or less? How can something be 'essential' if it can not be proven to be infallible? Oh, wait -- you don't even believe that the Bible is without error.
Do you consider belief that "the Bible is without error" essential for salvation? If not, your comment is nothing other than a personal attack.
 
Sep 9, 2018
2,244
1,032
113
71
Illinois
#11
Do you consider belief that "the Bible is without error" essential for salvation? If not, your comment is nothing other than a personal attack.
Yes God preserved His Word- I don’t do personal attacks—I attack false teachings
 

Zmouth

Senior Member
Nov 21, 2012
3,391
134
63
#12
There is only one doctrine that is of any value, that being the doctrine of Christ. It is the law of truth that was, is will always be the truth, it does not change for it is the light in which there is no variableness nor shade of turning.
 

Zmouth

Senior Member
Nov 21, 2012
3,391
134
63
#13
If not, your comment is nothing other than a personal attack.
Not to take sides except that if you dont' believe the Bible is without error then I don't see how saying "you don't even believe that the Bible is without error" is a personal attach if that is what you believe.

So do you believe the Bible is without error or not? ( Since it is not a question of what he believes but rather what you believe.)
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,609
3,633
113
#14
The Church generally accepts that christians do not have to agree on every doctrine, but what doctrines can we disagree on?

In my opinion, the only essential doctrines in the Christian Faith are as follows:
* God created everything.
Not sure about this one.. clarification: Yes i do believe it personally but i am not sure it is an essential belief that one needs to have to be saved..

* Every man besides Jesus Christ has sinned.
Do you believe that Babies have sinned or do you believe they are innocent? I would modify your point with the following::
*Jesus never sinned: This would be an essential to me..

* Jesus Christ came in the Flesh. Yes I agree..

* Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for the sins of humanity. Yes I agree..

* Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father. Yes I agree..

I would add::
*Jesus Christ was rasied from the dead in His body, It was a physical reasurection.
 

Hevosmies

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2018
3,612
2,633
113
#15
Unfortunately, Christians don't even agree on which doctrines are essential, let alone actually agreeing on the issues.
RIP Christianity.

Anyone got some other name to go by now?
 
Dec 28, 2016
9,171
2,719
113
#19
IsaiahX seems so similar in style to trofimus.

Just sayin'.