This is the final post in our series on theological triage – giving the right level of importance to each doctrine.
We’ve already looked a bit at what happens when we get this wrong. When we downgrade first tier doctrines, we can up with a progressive faith that stands for nothing. When we raise second or third tier doctrines up we end up in legalism. We don’t want either of those extremes.
But now lets think about what happens when we get it right.
What does it look like when we hold really solidly on to those essential doctrines but allow for difference in the non-essentials?
This is one of the most beautiful things about being part of the church. Not just your local congregation, or even just your denomination, but the whole church around the world, and reaching back throughout history. We are all one through Jesus Christ!
As long as we’ve all got the first tier doctrines solid, we can have genuine fellowship with other Christians who believe differently on the second and third tier. We can partner with them in sharing the gospel and reaching out to the world. It’s not just up to our church to do God’s work. We can see what other churches are doing and we can rejoice.
When we open ourselves up to the whole church, we are able to experience such a rich expression of what it means to be Christian, more so than if we just stayed with our own little denominational walls.
Think of the evangelical church with its solid, in depth Bible teaching or the Pentecostal church with passionate worship and prayer. How beautiful the more traditional liturgies and prayer books can be and those churches that are really on fire for social justice.
As long as the first tier doctrines are there, we have this beautiful, diverse family. Being open to and aware of the different expressions can teach us how to live as the church, in all these different ways. We can grow so much more if we learn from all the different Christians around us.
How can we grow in appreciating other traditions?
1. Go on a church tour
Before I talk about this one, I need to make something clear. It’s extremely important to be committed to one local church. Hopping around from one church to another isn’t a good long term option. So a church tour might not work for everyone, depending on your season. But, once or twice in your life, I encourage you to take some time to visit all the different churches in your area – all the different denominations, the different styles.
I did this a few years ago, after I felt God calling me away from my previous church. Each week, my husband and I visited a different church. For us, we were looking for a new church to call home. But we also did want to take this chance to experience the diversity there is within the church. We visited baptist church, charismatic churches, a Hillsong campus and traditional Anglican service. It was such an amazing experience!
Some churches we visited and it was clear we werent on the same page for second tier doctrines, so we knew we wouldn’t choose that as our home church. But even so, we could still celebrate the way they were worshipping Jesus, we could still connect with the people after the service and enjoy the whole experience.
If you do this, go with an open mind and an open heart. Be discerning, to make sure the first tier doctrines are actually there, but be open to celebrating the strengths of that church. Note what you valued about it, whether the sermon or worship session or how friendly everyone was. Note how you saw God glorified and how his gospel was proclaimed. If you decide to do this church tour, I hope its as amazing an experience as it was for me.
2. Visit events at different churches
Maybe it’s not the right time to do a church tour. There are still ways to engage with different expressions of the church. See if any of the churches near you are holding special events that you could go along to. Maybe a worship night or a prayer meeting, or a Bible teaching conference. Keep your eyes open for any events, especially ones that are open to the general public. If you have friends that belong to a different tradition than you, go along with them to an event at their church. Again, make note of what you appreciate there and how God is glorified.
3. Read & listen to people from different traditions
This one can be done in the comfort of your own home. Find writers or podcasts that are solid on the essentials that believe differently to you on the non-essentials. Engage with them discerningly, but also with your heart and mind ready to understand.
For those things you don’t agree with ask the questions: How did they get to that point? What Scripture did they interpret to support their viewpoint? Also ask: What are they saying that’s good? How can I be edified and encouraged from this?
Now that we’ve come to the end of our theological triage series, I hope you’re equipped and encouraged to put each doctrine in its rightful place. To put first things first and stand unwavering on them. To have grace and understanding for the lesser doctrines. To find the beauty that comes from getting in right.
Over the Teacups 