What's Major and What's Minor?

The fundamentals of Christianity.. I will fight for...

Inerrancy of the Scripture
The virgin birth and the deity of Jesus
The doctrine of substitutionary atonement
The bodily resurrection of Jesus
The authenticity of Christ's miracles
His physical return.


Along with The Baptist distinctives... because I believe they are Biblical.

Biblical authority
Autonomy of the local church
Priesthood of all believers
Two ordinances, Believer's Baptism by immersion, and the Lord's Supper
Individual soul liberty
Separation of Church and State
Two offices of the church (pastor and deacon)
Saved church membership

I looked these up on Wiki... because I forgot what they were right off the top of my head.... :laugh: :tonofbricks:

There may be others that I would stand toe to toe for, like eternal Security, but these are the big ones for which I would take a stand.

 

Foundational elements of the Christian faith:

Trinity
Deity and humanity of Christ
Substutionary Atonement
Exclusivity of Christianity
Virgin Birth
Fallen nature of mankind
Resurrection of Christ
Second Coming of Christ
Reality of Heaven and Hell
Inspiration of Scripture

Those are the foundational elements. They are non-negotiable, everything else breaks down to doctrinal positions and preferences. (Note: I don't believe that the style of music you use in a service being a doctrinal position.)

Also, I like and use the Baptist acrostic that Tim used...but replace the last "s" with Soul Liberty. I like his last "s" though.

 

Some of the issues that appear to divide churches these days include:

homosexuality
female pastors
seeker-sensitive focus
prosperity gospel


Some older issues that commonly divided churches include:

Calvinism/Free-will
speaking in tongues
eschatology/adventism
form of baptism
infant baptism
open/closed/close communion
alcohol


I don't think I would consider any of these issues majors.

 

Maybe we have a different definition of major and minor. I believe that the major items are those that would be shared by all Christians (Baptists, Presbaterians, Methodists, etc.). With that in mind I would exclude all Baptist distinctives. The thing that I keep asking myself is if God accepts Christians that don't share certain beliefs with us who are we to say that we won't accept them?

 

A good question to ask, if you ask me!

 

If someone disagrees with you on an issue, and you don't like that person, then the issue is major and may even be evidence that the person is not saved. If you are indifferent or better about that person, then the issue is minor.

 

It depends on why you put on ignore if something is major or minor

 

That wasn't my list, by the way!

 

All I can say is... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 

Took the words right out of my mouth!!!

I'd face the Gaunlet for the list above!!!

 

A lot of us agree on what is major and minor. My next question is one that I'm sure some of you were anticipating. Does the Bible distinguish between major issues and minor issues? In other words, what basis do we have for saying that there are majors and minors? Personal preference? Our understanding of what one must believe to be saved?

I mean, I liked what Tim said. Churches that start denying things like the virgin birth, etc, show that they have a very desupernaturalized view of God and His interactions with mankind, and would probably have a problem with the first few chapters in Genesis as well. But how can we say that Baptism is not just as crucial. What about gifts of the Spirit or so on?

These are honest questions and are in no way an attempt to suggest that no distinction should be drawn between major/minors. Intuitvely, I believe there is minors. Personally, I see Calvinism and Arminianism as a minor, a view recently adopted that has been incredbily liberating. I also agree with PJ, that music is a minor issue. Now, I think that our music is a good indicator of our view of ministry, and thus is important, but no one will go to hell for promoting Christian rock.

To sum up once more : Does Scripture draw distinction between the majors and the minors?

 

This is an interesting example of conversations like this...only a few have actually positted a list of foundational elements. The rest have barely touched on the OP.

What I find in my conversations from place to place is the same thing. When asked what a foundational element of their faith might be many don't actually address the issue but are happy to critique other suggestions. I'm really not saying too much here but pointing out that the OP is more about what do you believe is major and what might be some minors than adding conjecture to a few lists.

 

What about a fix-part series? :laugh:

 

That could be interesting. I've got some parts that could use fixin'! :laugh: