Articles: Categories of truth

Categories of Truth We Teach and Preach
by David C. Innes

Where Categories of Truth are --------------- . . . then	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
	VERY CLEAR	NOT SO CLEAR — LOGICAL CONCLUSIONS	SPECULATION	PETTY PERSONAL PREFERENCE
As to doctrine this becomes	A conviction — a belief for which we would die	A preference, though strongly believed	A mere preference	No obligation at all
Essence of doctinal belief	Belief of a clear statement	A matter of interpretation	A matter of supposition	Totally immaterial
As to practice this becomes	A Divine command with no option	An option though strongly believed	Totally optional	No obligation at all
Essence of practice	Necessary obedience	A sincere desire to obey	A desire to be sincere	Totally immaterial
Denial of this category of truth is	Heresy or willful rebellion against God	A disagreement of some consequence	A mere disagreement	Not worth talking about
Biblical command that applies to denial	Command of repudiation and separation	Command of love and harmony	Command of love and unity	Command to avoid foolish questions and contentions
Biblical response to denial of this category	Denunciation and separation- Confrontation	Toleration and Christian charity- Accommodation	Toleration and Christian charity	Ignore
Level of importance	Absolutely fundamental and essential to Christian Faith	Not fundamental or essential, but important	Not important	A hindrance rather than a help
Level of fellowship agreement allows	Personal fellowship and limited church fellowship	Closer church fellowship and joint participation	Unlimited fellowship and participation	Has a negative impact on fellowship
Level of fellowship lack of agreement allows	None	Limited	Unlimited	Impact on fellowship
Agreement of belief indicates	A true Christian brother	A Christian brother of like faith and order	A rare find	Does not exist
Ultimate Significance	Defines a Fundamentalist	Defines denominational distinctives	Defines denominational idiosyncrasies	Defines personal idiosyncrasies