Minor and major doctrines

[Madeline]

Major or minor doctrinal differences have been discussed regarding the issue of separation on another thread. So, I was wondering what do you consider to be major or minor doctrinal differences? and are there any specific passages that distinguishes between them both? Thanks in advance!

Love,
Madeline

[John81]

Great thread topic Madeline! :thumb

[Jerry]

I would say some of the major doctrines would be the fundamentals of the faith, as well as what is referred to as the Baptist distinctives. Someone is not even our brother without a belief in the first - without a belief in the second, there will be a lot of times where you cannot see eye to eye on Biblical issues.

Another major area worth separating over is that of whether the sign gifts (tongues, healing, prophecy, etc.) are still in effect today. Believing that they are or believing in the charismatic doctrines of the Word of Faith movement gives a fundamental shift in the way Biblical issues are approached. I have personally found that you cannot fellowship with someone that believers these doctrines. They don't go to God in prayer, they demand (ie. speak out) what they want. You can't discuss what God is doing in our trials because they believe the trials are from Satan and your faith must be weak because you aren't claiming your "victory." You can't talk about how you are growing in your faith, because to the first group, speaking in tongues and having the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" (according to their definition) is all-important. They could be the most unstable, carnal Christian, but as long as they believe and do this they think they are right with God - and you are not, no matter how stable your walk is, how much you study His Word and live by the promises, no matter how much time you sincerely speak in prayer (in your regular language). These are issues worth separating over.

[rancher824]

You must be carful about calling things minor doctrines. I was in a church years ago that accepted a family in knowing they had a "minor" doctrinal differance. The thing we did not realize is that to them every passage in the Bible spoke about their belief. Almost every class would all of a sudden turn to a discussion about that doctrine. We saw it as minor, but they harped on it to the point it became major. In short, if the Bible says it, it is not minor.

[John81]

I think in the context of how Madeline framed the question, it's not a matter of a point being of "smaller value" (minor) but as to which points are major enough to be worth separating over and which points are "less than major" (minor) enough that separation isn't necessary.

[Guest Guest]

Basically, if the Word of God speaks on it, it is an important doctrine.

"Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Doctrines are simply beliefs. Minor doctrines are things that we may believe there are scriptural principles on, but not something that can be definitively stated as fact from scripture. For example, modest dress is a direct biblical command. However there is a little wiggle room on what exactly "modest" is. Some things are obviously not modest, but there is no precise line where you can say X is modest but Y is not. Other things that some IFB's believe are in the same category, no TV, etc.

[John81]

So, where a principle is given, but not a specific guidline on the principle, those are issues not worth separating over?

[Guest Guest]

So, where a principle is given, but not a specific guidline on the principle, those are issues not worth separating over?

Generally speaking yes, but it depends. :frog If something gets wayyyy... out of line with a biblical principle then it may be worth separating over. If your dealing with principles and not direct commands there is room for judgement calls... That's part of what the Holy Spirit is for. I can't say there is a hard and fast formula once your past direct commands. Once your past those you just need to be very, very, careful that it is Gods will not a personal preference before going to the extreme measure of separation. Of course there are varying degrees of separation too...

[John81]

Well stated Seth.

I think from there, the issue becomes is one Christian "closer to God" (or more holy) than another because their position is viewed to be more strict than anothers?

We could use the issue of dresses since I know there are vast array of views on this within even IFBs.

If Adam says ladies must wear dresses to the floor and Ben says they only need to be to the ankle and Conway says to the knee, what then? If each of these men are pastors, would they be correct to tell their flocks to separate from one or more of the others? Would they be correct to tell them there is no need for separation?

(this is just an example, no need to go off topic on dress lengths! :Green )

[IM4given]

Well stated Seth.

I think from there, the issue becomes is one Christian "closer to God" (or more holy) than another because their position is viewed to be more strict than anothers?

We could use the issue of dresses since I know there are vast array of views on this within even IFBs.

If Adam says ladies must wear dresses to the floor and Ben says they only need to be to the ankle and Conway says to the knee, what then? If each of these men are pastors, would they be correct to tell their flocks to separate from one or more of the others? Would they be correct to tell them there is no need for separation?

(this is just an example, no need to go off topic on dress lengths! :Green )

If Adam, Ben and Conway say that women need to wear dresses, but their wives and daughters regularly wear jeans and pantsuits both at home and to church, then it would become an issue to separate over. :thumb

[kevinmiller]

I would classify minor doctrinal differences as those beliefs that do not go against a direct command of Christ and is not clearly condemned in Scripture. I would consider beliefs in direct contradiction to Scripture and those relating to salvation as being major doctrinal errors.

[IM4given]

Okay, if we believe in the doctrine of final authority, the first thing that one must agree upon is that KJV Bible is the final authority on everything else. That is basic principal and MAJOR. How can we say we believe that the Bible is the Word of God, and then not be able to agree on which Bible?

Others take this very lightly, and do not believe the Bible is the final authority on anything and will show you umpteen books to back up what ever nonsense they try to convince you of it. These are the ones who ridicule and minimalize this doctrine, and it is worthy of parting fellowship over, IMHO.

[lettheredeemedsayso]

Major or minor doctrinal differences have been discussed regarding the issue of separation on another thread. So, I was wondering what do you consider to be major or minor doctrinal differences? and are there any specific passages that distinguishes between them both? Thanks in advance!

Madeline, did you have anything specific in mind?

[John81]

It seems Madeline had in mind as to what issues have Scriptural backing for separation, and what issues can some Christians disagree on without the need for separation.

[Madeline]

Thanks for all the help guys - I did some study on this. I think that in the day and age we live in, a Christian who is determined to grow spiritually in Jesus Christ should with all due diligence find the place or the space or the ministry where he/she will be able to do so most effectively. It is hard to say when one looks at various churches and denominations what their "major" or "minor" doctrinal differences are because for the most part they do not care about doctrine in the first place. Just read the "what we believe" statements of most evangelical churches, organizations, and seminaries and we will see what I mean. They have been carefully edited and watered down to give as little offense as possible, saying what they absolutely have to say so as not to upset members who have some idea that they ought to stand for something, yet saying as little as possible and as indirectly as possible so as not to make doctrine "an issue" that would cost them membership and money. What is important is to find a place to grow, and if we have the good fortune through God's grace to actually find such a pearl of great price to grab onto it with all that is in us.

Many groups say the right things. Those that actually put the Bible first both in word and in deed for the benefit of their members' spiritual growth are few and far between. If we do have a place/church/ministry that is providing spiritual food, in my opinion it is worth putting up with at least some things we may disagree with in order get the benefit of the good Bible teaching being offered, because it is very unlikely and may in fact be nigh on impossible for a person/church/ministry to be teaching the Bible from the Bible with diligence, quality and substance, and yet be in gross error on any major doctrinal points. And if our initial evaluation turns out to be wrong, I am confident of the Spirit's ability to deliver us before damage is done if you have entered into fellowship with a pure heart only seeking the truth of the Word.

Love,
Madeline