Finding the Right Hills to Die on

1. Theological Triage Balances Doctrinal Conviction with Christian Unity

This book is about finding the happy place between these two extremes—the place of wisdom, love, and courage that will best serve the church and advance the gospel in our fractured times.

Navigating extremes. Theological triage provides a framework for prioritizing doctrines, avoiding both excessive division and indifferentism. It acknowledges that not all doctrines are of equal importance, and strategic decisions are needed to effectively serve Christ, the church, and the gospel. This approach seeks a balance between upholding essential truths and maintaining unity within the body of Christ.

Prioritization system. The system involves categorizing doctrines into four ranks:

• First-rank: Essential to the gospel itself
• Second-rank: Urgent for church health, often causing denominational divides
• Third-rank: Important but not divisive
• Fourth-rank: Unimportant to gospel witness

Practical application. By applying theological triage, Christians can better discern which doctrines are worth contending for and which allow for disagreement. This promotes healthier relationships, more effective ministry, and a stronger witness to the world.

2. Doctrinal Sectarianism Undermines the Church's Mission and Godliness

Unnecessary division harms not only the unity and mission of the church but also the holiness of the church.

Defining sectarianism. Doctrinal sectarianism refers to attitudes, beliefs, or practices that lead to unnecessary division within the Christian community. It often stems from an inability to distinguish between essential and non-essential doctrines, leading to conflict over secondary or tertiary issues. This harms the church's unity, mission, and overall godliness.

Unity's importance. The unity of the church is not an optional add-on but is foundational to its identity and mission. Jesus prayed for unity among believers (John 17:21), and Paul emphasized its importance in Ephesians 2:14. Division hinders the church's ability to effectively proclaim the gospel and demonstrate Christ's love to the world.

Holiness compromised. Doctrinal sectarianism can also harm the holiness of the church by promoting quarreling, vain speculation, and a lack of love among Christians. Paul warned against foolish disputes that do not produce godliness (1 Tim. 1:3-4, 4:7, 6:4-5; 2 Tim. 2:14, 16, 23; Titus 1:13-14, 3:9). Theological zeal must be tempered with love, and the ultimate goal should be to promote the welfare of the church.

3. Doctrinal Minimalism Trivializes Scripture and Christian Heritage

Better to be wrong than indifferent.

Defining minimalism. Doctrinal minimalism is the tendency to reduce Christian belief to a small set of core truths, neglecting the importance of other doctrines. This approach often stems from a desire to avoid conflict and promote unity, but it can lead to a trivialization of Scripture and a neglect of Christian heritage. It is the opposite extreme of doctrinal sectarianism.

Significance of non-essentials. Non-essential doctrines are significant because:

• They are part of divinely inspired Scripture
• They have shaped Christian history
• They impact the Christian life
• They relate to essential doctrines

Avoiding indifference. A casual, take-it-or-leave-it attitude about theology is incompatible with how we are to receive the word of God. Its contents may call for trembling and tearing of clothes, but never shrugging. Even if we ultimately conclude that the interpretation of a particular passage is not worth our dividing from other Christians, it doesn’t follow that we should relegate that passage to the realm of adiaphora and say, “Who cares?”

4. First-Rank Doctrines Defend and Proclaim the Gospel

Some first-rank doctrines are worth fighting for because they mark a fault line between the gospel and a rival ideology, religion, or worldview (as with the virgin birth).

Essential doctrines. First-rank doctrines are those that are essential to the gospel itself. They are the non-negotiable truths that define Christian orthodoxy and distinguish it from other belief systems. These doctrines are worth defending because they are vital for upholding the integrity of the gospel.

Defending the gospel. Some first-rank doctrines, such as the virgin birth, are essential for defending the gospel against rival ideologies or worldviews. The virgin birth protects the supernatural character of Christ and guards against naturalistic interpretations of his person and work. It serves as a fault line between Christianity and other belief systems.

Proclaiming the gospel. Other first-rank doctrines, such as justification by faith alone, are essential for proclaiming the gospel. Justification by faith alone articulates the core message of salvation by grace through faith in Christ, apart from works. It is a material point of the gospel and cannot be compromised without distorting the message of salvation.

5. Second-Rank Doctrines Impact Witness and Church Practice

It’s not just about what you fight over but about how you fight.

Defining second-rank doctrines. Second-rank doctrines are those that are important for the health and practice of the church but are not essential to the gospel itself. These doctrines often lead to divisions at the level of denomination, church, or ministry. They exert a significant influence over our witness to and understanding of the gospel.

Examples of second-rank doctrines:

• Baptism (credobaptism vs. paedobaptism)
• Spiritual gifts (cessationism vs. continuationism)
• Women in ministry (complementarianism vs. egalitarianism)

Practical differences. Second-rank doctrines lead to practical differences in how we do church and ministry. Attempting formal unity amid differing convictions can lead to divisiveness, confusion, and violations of conscience. It is understandable, though regrettable, that Christians divide over these issues in certain contexts.

6. Third-Rank Doctrines Require Forbearance and Humility

Most of the battles you could fight, you shouldn’t.

Defining third-rank doctrines. Third-rank doctrines are those that are important to Christian theology but are not essential to the gospel or urgent for the health of the church. These doctrines should not be grounds for separation or division among Christians. They require forbearance, circumspection, and restraint.

Examples of third-rank doctrines:

• The creation days of Genesis 1
• The nature of the millennium in Revelation 20

Avoiding division. Fighting over third-rank issues is unhelpful and can distract from more important matters. It is better to focus on the core tenets of the faith and maintain unity with other believers, even amid disagreements on secondary or tertiary issues.

7. Humility Is Essential for Navigating Theological Disagreements

This way is first humility, second humility, third humility, and however often you should ask me I would say the same.

Theological humility. Humility is essential for navigating theological disagreements. It involves recognizing the limits of our own understanding, being open to considering new information, and approaching others with respect and grace. It is the foundation for fruitful dialogue and the preservation of Christian unity.

Practical implications. When approaching theological disagreements, it is important to:

• Ask questions and be open to learning
• Avoid assuming a perfect understanding of the issues
• Treat others with respect, even when disagreeing
• Focus on building relationships rather than winning arguments

The way of Christ. Doing theology in the way of Christ means prioritizing humility above all else. It is a constant need, no matter what issue we are facing. By embracing humility, we can promote healthier relationships, more effective ministry, and a stronger witness to the world.

Last updated: April 16, 2025