Musing – Does Christian Maturity Require Theological Triage?

Hebraic Musing – Does Christian Maturity Require Theological Triage?

We Christians face a daunting task of strategizing which Christian doctrines and theological issues are to be given highest priority, critically important.  Christianity is under attack on many fronts by a sinful, rebellious, secular world as-well-as from squabbles within and between Churches and between denominations.  All that squabbling is viewed as a lack of unity to the un-churched world!  How to defend God’s truth in this contentious world?

Christianity needs to go to the Emergency Room!  There we see an environment in which Medical personnel are not afraid to ask critical questions in order to give top priority in terms of treatment to patients with the most critical needs.  “Triage” is needed to recognize that the scraped knee does not require the same urgency required of a gunshot wound to the chest.  Should we apply “triage” to doctrinal issues we face in Christianity?

First and highest level of critical theological issues would be the doctrines central and essential to Christian faith.  The crucial doctrines are (a) the Trinity, (b) the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, (c) justification by faith and (d) the authority of Scripture.  The earliest Church Councils dealt with these doctrines of unquestionable first-order importance.  Christianity stands or falls on these doctrines; and denial of any of these doctrines represents denial of Christianity itself.

Second order would be those doctrines which create disagreements deemed significant between believers which create boundaries.  Christians organize themselves into congregations and denominational differences which prevent or hinder fellowship with other Christians over doctrinal differences like (a) mode of baptism, (b) women as pastors, (c) role of tongues, and (d) use of musical instruments, etc. 

Third-order issues are doctrines over which Christians may disagree but remain in close fellowship, even within the local church!  For example, do all your close Christian friends share your view on eschatology, role of communion, textual interpretations, respect for Israel, tithing, etc.?  But you still enjoy fellowshipping together and studying God’s Word together trying to harmonize even when these third-order issues are questioned.

Liberalism generally originates from the error of disrespect for Biblical authority and the Church's historical treasury of truth.  Albert Mohler* said it this way - “The mark of true liberalism is the refusal to admit that first-order theological issues even exist.  Liberals treat first-order doctrines as if they were merely third-order in importance, and doctrinal ambiguity is the inevitable result.”

Fundamentalism has to avoid the opposite error.  Extreme fundamentalism might view all disagreements as first-order doctrines.  When third-order issues are raised to first-order importance, Christian unity becomes harmfully divided.  And the non-churched world sees dis-unity!  For shame!

In a Sunday service to a group of shut-ins I asked each to share their denominational background; and as each shared, I pointed out the strength of that denomination’s views.  Later, my son pointed out that I was merely pointing out the many and various characteristics and attributes of Our Almighty God.

We must sort these issues with a trained mind and a humble heart, in order to protect what the Apostle Paul called the "treasure" that has been entrusted to us

Points to ponder

Have you noticed that existence of second-order disagreements
preventing the closeness of fellowship and unity we should otherwise be enjoying?

What is the parallel between the local Church and the Emergency Room?

Your thoughts?   RSVP

“…contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Jude 3 

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      August 13, 2019  

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*  Note – Inspired by & excerpted from  “A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity”  by Albert Mohler