Matt Smethurst moderates a panel at TGC21 with Al Mohler, Gavin Ortlund, and Afshin Ziafat. They discuss how to separate primary, secondary, and tertiary theological beliefs. Smethurst defines the three categories as follows:
1. Primary doctrines are central to Christianity—things you have to agree on to be a Christian.
2. Secondary doctrines separate churches and create denominations due to differing beliefs. These are things you must agree on in order to be church members in the same body.
3. Last-order issues aren't definitional for any kind of confessional system, and they allow Christians to remain unified while holding their differing beliefs.
Gavin Ortlund shares that love should always be the driving motivation in finding where one’s church stands on theological beliefs. He says, “When we notice we are being too sectarian and fighting too much, it is helpful to ask if this is becoming a form of self-justification.” Ortlund reminds us we're saved by grace alone, through faith in Christ alone.
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