Which Doctrines Are Essential and Which Are Not?

Episode 721 Show Notes

From the Show

Which doctrines strike at the vitals of the Christian faith? They usually center around the life of Christ, the death of Christ, and the resurrection. And that’s not to say other doctrines are not important, everything that the Bible teaches is important and we should hold fast to it. But we can also have a degree of charity for one another.

–Adriel Sanchez

Which Doctrines Are Essential and Which Are Not?

Questions in this Episode

I called in a few days ago to ask you about if Christians should give money to homeless people. I wanted to let you know that I took your advice and I bought multiple gift cards to hand out to different people who are homeless. I really appreciate your work and ministry—thank you!
On a previous program you said that when believers die, they are immediately in the presence of God. So why does the Roman Catholic church teach that there is such a thing as purgatory?
How did Jesus take our punishment on to himself if our punishment is eternal separation from God? Also, how could Jesus be eternally separated from God when he in fact is God or the second person of God’s triune nature?
God could have made the entire world good instead of having evil in it. In your thoughts, why do you think that is?
How does one differentiate between essential doctrines, doctrines of lesser importance, and traditions, which can be very helpful but lack biblical authority?