Why does it matter?
It matters that we do theological triage well. Otherwise, if everything is deemed a primary doctrine then, sadly, we'll treat everyone who doesn't perfectly agree with us like a nonbeliever. The opposite can also be true. If everything is treated as a secondary issue, then we'll never clearly state when someone has crossed the line and left Christianity. Additionally, it can help us in finding a church that matches our beliefs.
What is it?
As you begin studying theology, it is exceptionally important to define primary, secondary, and tertiary doctrines.
With so many books, denominations, and viewpoints, it is important to know if you are dealing with an issue that affects whether you are a Christian or not (primary doctrine). Likewise, it's helpful to define if you are dealing with an issue that affects where you go to church (secondary issue) or if you are dealing with an issue in which Christians within the same church can disagree (tertiary).
R. Albert Mohler helpfully calls this idea theological triage (Mohler, He is Not Silent, 109-111). When you go into an Emergency Room, they perform a triage. They try to figure out if it's a highest tier emergency, a mid-level issue, or not urgent. Similarly, we do a theological triage when we determine what tier issue it is and how we should respond to a disagreement.
For primary issues, a disagreement means that the person is likely not a Christian. For secondary issues, a disagreement means that the person may be a Christian but likely will be a part of a different church. For tertiary issues, a disagreement means that a person may be a Christian and may be in the same church!
Here is a quick summary:
Primary Doctrines = central to the Christian faith. Disagreement often affects whether one is a Christian (examples: the Trinity, the deity of Jesus, the humanity of Jesus, the gospel, the death and resurrection of Jesus, sin, etc.).
Secondary Doctrines = not necessarily central to the Christian faith and well-meaning Christians disagree. Disagreement often affects the church that one chooses (examples: baptism, spiritual gifts, church government, baptism in the Holy Spirit, etc.).
Tertiary Doctrines = not necessarily central to the Christian faith and well-meaning Christians disagree. Disagreement often does not affect the church that one chooses. (examples: end times view, creation view, view on the usage of psychology in counseling, etc.).
This doesn't imply that secondary or tertiary doctrines are unimportant. It does, however, indicate how we should respond to disagreement.
Otherwise, if everything is deemed a primary doctrine then, sadly, we'll treat everyone who doesn't perfectly agree with us like a nonbeliever. The opposite can also be true. If everything is treated as a secondary issue, then we'll never clearly state when someone has crossed the line and left Christianity.
Where can I learn more?
Bibliography:
- Mohler, R. Albert. He is Not Silent: Preaching in a Postmodern World. Chicago, IL: Moody, 2008.
- Ortlund, Gavin. Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020.