There are three levels of Biblical Christian theology: essential, core, and non-core. Webster defines these terms as:

• Essential  – “of the utmost importance”
• Core  – “a central and often foundational part”
• Noncore  – “not being a central or foundational part of something”

Essential Doctrine

It would be remarkably easy to boil the 750k words that God wrote (i.e. the Bible), as an instruction manual to mankind; down to a single word. The word would be, salvation. From that single theological concept comes not only a relationship with the Trinity on earth, but an assurance of that relationship continuing in Heaven. 

Therefore, the “essential” doctrine of a Biblical Christian worldview would entail an understanding of what it takes to be saved. Our hope, our faith, our beliefs, our sanctification, our very lives as Christians are sealed based on a point in time when we established a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe. Prior to that, we were seekers, looking for answers to the most profound question, why we exist. After that point, our sins are forgiven and we move forward trying to understand how best to serve God and love our neighbor, referred to as the process of sanctification (details here). 

Webster defines salvation as a “deliverance from the power and effects of sin”. Though theologically correct, salvation is a great deal more than that. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Grace: It begins with an understanding that we are saved only through the grace of God and not anything that we can earn. The thief dying on the cross next to Jesus was told by Christ “today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43), documenting the fact that we cannot earn our way to Heaven. It is a gift from God. 

Faith: Salvation is not something that can be proved, it is something that has to be felt. The Bible is full of answered prophesy and there is ample archeological evidence documenting much of its geographical and cultural references. Miracles are often hard to refute and the Big Bang theory, offered in 1922 as the establishment of our universe, is still only accepted by 65% of adults (details here).  

Jesus Christ: Our faith needs to rest in the work of Jesus who died on the cross as a substitution and payment for our sins. 

John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Salvation is the Essential Doctrine of a Biblical Christian worldview. 

Nicodemus asked the “essential” question of salvation. And Jesus responded:

John 3:5-6,15 - Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit… that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

The jailer asked Paul and Silas how to be “saved”. 

Acts 16:30-31 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Both from John and Acts it is clear, we must “believe in the Lord Jesus”. But, what does that actually mean? 

Webster defines Lord as – “a ruler by hereditary right or preeminence to whom service and obedience are due.”

So, to be saved, to have salvation, we need to be obedient to the teachings of Jesus… all His teachings. Further, we need to accept that He has a right to rule our lives. This, “lordship” over us is, of course the stumbling block, for most of mankind (details here). 

Romans 10:9 – If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

To be saved, the most essential Christian doctrine in all the Bible, we must believe that Jesus is BOTH our Savior (can save us) AND our Lord (surrendering our lives to Him). 

Core Doctrine

What are the central tenants of a Biblical Christian worldview? Consider the following…

Salvation — Everyone sins and no one can save themselves. It is only through accepting Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior that one can receive eternal life in Heaven. Salvation is available to anyone who acknowledges in their heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins, rose bodily from the grave, and asks Him to forgive them of their sins and save their soul. The difference between a saved and an unsaved person is a God-produced difference.

Trinity — represents one living and true God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God — created everything, is perfect, and continues to rule. Further, He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent.

Jesus Christ — is the eternally preexistent Son, is fully God and was fully man, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life.

Holy Spirit — lives in every Christian to guide, instruct, and empower the believer.

Resurrection — Everyone will be resurrected from the grave: the saved to eternal life in Heaven, and the lost to eternal damnation in a real and literal Hell.

Bible — as originally written, is the inspired, infallible, authoritative, and inerrant Word of God and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. Further, God has protected His word down through the ages such that we hold today a trustworthy document that expresses the other core principles listed here.

Evangelism — It is a responsibility, duty, and joy to spread the love of God and gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will listen.

For the Biblical Christian, these eight points of theology are non-negotiable and fully supportable in Scripture. Further, if one believes that the supernatural (God and Satan) desire to influence the natural (mankind), why would one want to invest time in studying commentaries, authors, podcasters, preachers, and teachers that support positions that proport to deconstruct these fundamental principles?

2 Timothy 4:3 - For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

Noncore Doctrine

Beyond Core Doctrine there are hundreds of theological beliefs that separate denominations, churches, and individuals. One can pluck verses out of the Bible and spend a lifetime defending tongues, infant baptism, purgatory, predestination vs. free will, end times, annihilationism, creationism, gay marriages, abortion, women preachers, carpet color, and so much more.

This is not to say that we should have no opinion on these issues and so many other religious beliefs. I certainly have an opinion on all of them. The point is to recognize that, in the nonessentials, the saved will have the ability to ask the Creator of the universe for clarification. What is important is that we are saved (essential doctrine), that we are growing in Christ (core doctrine), and that we are not damaging our testimony to a lost and dying world by pressing our noncore beliefs, damaging our testimony in the process.