Non-essential Christian Doctrines

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Inquisitor said:
So a church does not need to know that the man of lawlessness must appear before Jesus
returns?

Does the church need to know that if it receives the mark, then it is damned forever?

Does the church need to know that the man of lawlessness is running the show.
Persecuting the Christian world on an epic scale.

I would have a serious problem with anyone that simply said, Jesus will return.

I would say a revelation from the scripture not a phrase from scripture.
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You have completely sidestepped the point.

Once again, eschatology is a field of study, NOT a "doctrine".
 
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This is kind of a weird topic because where people draw the line of ecumenism is going to vary. Some denominations think their denomination is THE church, and then other ones are more accepting; but have their disqualifying heresies- which is reasonable; because like the bible says, heresies are really there to overthrow people's faith. Others are like "believe in Jesus", and then others will go into even farther like natural baptists; and then you have universalism. Getting people to agree on essential doctrine seems uhlikely.
 
Solitude said:
Only those in unity believe correct doctrine.
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So... ardent Nazis believed correct doctrine? Radical Moslems believe correct doctrine? Strident feminists believe correct doctrine?

Maybe you should rethink your assertion.
 
Winslow89 said:
Imagine one “universal church” gathering every Sunday—a single assembly claiming to be the Body of Christ, who all believe all are spiritual siblings. In this one gathering, everything contradictory happens simultaneously:

In one corner, a group teaches that water baptism isn’t necessary; across the aisle, another insists it is essential.

One crowd worships with instruments; another says instruments are sinful.

Some insist speaking in tongues is required; others reject it entirely.

A woman rises to preach and have authority over the men, while nearby, others condemn her for doing so.

One table observes the Lord’s Supper weekly; another says it is unnecessary.

Some proclaim “once saved, always saved,” while others warn believers can fall away and apostatize.

One group mandates tithing, another leaves giving entirely to personal discretion.

One insists on elders and deacons, another ignores church leadership altogether.

One follows a single pastor, another allows multiple.

One teaches a pre-tribulation rapture, another a post-tribulation view; one affirms amillennialism, another historic premillennialism.

Some are Calvinistic; others reject it outright.

All these groups claim to be part of the same church and be siblings in Christ, yet they teach directly opposing doctrines, theology, and practices.

The absurdity is clear: if all of these conflicting beliefs and practices are truly part of Christ’s Body, then Jesus, as Head, would simultaneously be commanding contradictory teachings. That is impossible. Christ does not contradict Himself—John 14:6 says, “I am the truth,” and Titus 1:2 affirms that God cannot lie.

By claiming that all these contradictory beliefs are part of the one Body of Christ, effectively promotes confusion, contradiction, and disunity. Scripture, however, says, “God is not the author of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

No rational analogy can reconcile all these opposing teachings into a single, functioning body. It’s as if you tried to fly a plane where one pilot insists seatbelts are optional, another says they are required; one flight attendant reads safety instructions, another skips them; emergency exits are pointed in opposite directions. Chaos would ensue. Denominationalism operates the same way: it combines contradictions, claiming all are equally valid, yet the Bible reveals that God’s truth is clear, knowable, and meant to be followed without compromise.
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Being denominational = Division
 
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SomeDisciple said:
This is kind of a weird topic because where people draw the line of ecumenism is going to vary. Some denominations think their denomination is THE church, and then other ones are more accepting; but have their disqualifying heresies- which is reasonable; because like the bible says, heresies are really there to overthrow people's faith. Others are like "believe in Jesus", and then others will go into even farther like natural baptists; and then you have universalism. Getting people to agree on essential doctrine seems uhlikely.
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True Christian churches agree on essential doctrines.
 
NightTwister said:
True Christian churches agree on essential doctrines.
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All correct doctrine is essential Christian doctrine.

1 Timothy 3:15

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
 
Solitude said:
All correct doctrine is essential Christian doctrine.
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If that were so, then people who hold incorrect views on matters such as OSAS, tithing, or the interpretation of Revelation would be excluded from the Kingdom at the judgment.

Is that what you believe?
 
Solitude said:
All correct doctrine is essential Christian doctrine.

1 Timothy 3:15

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
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"Essential" means that a person must know and believe it in order to be saved, which obviously is not true,
because even you do not know all correct and thus essential doctrine, right?
 
GWH said:
"Essential" means that a person must know and believe it in order to be saved, which obviously is not true,
because even you do not know all correct and thus essential doctrine, right?
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Jesus doesn't save the know nothings.
 
Solitude said:
Jesus doesn't save the know nothings.
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Not only is that a snarky dodge instead of a respectful and meaningful response, it also implies that people of limited knowledge or mental capacity cannot be saved.
 
Dino246 said:
Not only is that a snarky dodge instead of a respectful and meaningful response, it also implies that people of limited knowledge or mental capacity cannot be saved.
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Those of limited mental capacity are not no nothings.

Jesus doesn't save those who misuse their free will.
 
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