Criteria for defining a Fundamental of the Faith
by Missionary David Cox (c) 2003
When we seek criteria for a Fundamental of the Faith, we must have something that would defend "our" definition of that Fundamental. The criteria then is that a Fundamental must be something so essential, that there can be no variation without losing the essence of Christianity.
Some people want to include a particular hair style, or clothing standard, or version of the Bible as a Fundamental of the Faith, and we must resist this. A Fundamental is something that is essential both everywhere and in every culture (and language), and also is something that is essential across time, both in New Testament times and the present time.
Although this is a broad definition, it is also narrow in a sense. Missing a Fundamental of the Faith must be equivalent of "gutting Christianity of its essence". Moreover, we must understand that within any one doctrine or point, this can be expanded to overlap dozens of other doctrines. Although the deity of Christ may be developed to include dozens of conclusions and other points about the deity of Christ, not all of those "other points" necessarily are essentials or Fundamentals.
THAT PERTAINING TO OUR SALVATION
So, the first and foremost criteria for the Fundamentals is that of pertaining to our salvation. Whereas many doctrines and points can be made in the Scriptures, the ones which affect salvation are the most essential. In the case of cults and false religions, they claim to have the same Jesus as the Bible, but for example in redefining Jesus to not be God, they remove the essential point of what saves. It is Jesus' deity that makes His death propitious for others. We will elaborate on these on the next page. We would defend the importance of salvation issues in being a Fundamental because that is what separates us from so many religious groups. We simply are dealing with "apples and oranges" when we mix real Christians with Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Moonies, Catholics, etc. The difference is very obvious. The point that we do and should view them as needing our Savior instead of seeing them as brethren is very important.
Apparently salvation is very important to God, because God arranged the situation as He deemed fit (He could have made things different if He wanted to), and God wanted us to understand how important salvation is to Him, so He arranged that salvation could only come through the death of His only begotten Son. This is a teaching that every parent will easily understand, and find very painful to even consider what if they had to pay such a price. God arranged this salvation to COST GOD DEARLY! It is because it is important to God.
THAT PERTAINING TO GOD, HIS CHARACTER
Beyond that which pertains to salvation, we can also include another key point, things pertaining to God, specifically the character of God. We cannot understand salvation without delving into the character and personality of God which is behind the motivation of the Savior. For example, without understanding the Holiness of God (His repulsion and absolute non-tolerance and hatred of sin, or not doing His will), we cannot understand why God just doesn't let sinners into heaven even though they are sinful. Once we grasp this, we understand why separation is a Fundamental of the Faith. Without understanding the love of God, we cannot understand the price God gave, or why He even provided a way of being saved in the first place. When we consider that God is faithful and true (truthful in His expressions, words, declarations, promises, etc) to us, then we understand why inspiration is a Fundamental of the Faith. It is a reflection of His character.
These elements that reflect into the very essence of God and His nature and character are also key to our being saved and having the very essence of Christianity.
THAT WHICH IS CONSTANTLY ATTACKED BY SATAN
Although we should not be influenced by Satan so much, we also need to recognize that Christianity (viewed through the centuries) has responded significantly to Satan's continued attacks on certain key doctrinal points. These may fall into either of the two above, but we also recognize these fights by the faithful against Satan's attacks and heresy.
Last updated:
02/02/08
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