December 18, 2025 3:00 am
The deity of Christ, the authority of Scripture, and salvation by grace are essential doctrines that Christians must hold fast. However, secondary doctrines like creationism should be taught in meekness and love, avoiding strife over fringe issues. Understanding origins is crucial to adequately grasping primary doctrines and guarding one's faith.
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Welcome to the Days of Praise podcast, a daily devotional by the Institute for Creation Research. Fringe Issues. And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. 2 Timothy 2.24 One of the plagues of modern-day Christendom is that many take up side issues and deem them all important. a point of separation between them and other Christians.
Health foods, dress codes, and church constitutions are not unimportant. But Christians can hold different opinions and still be walking with God. Note the scriptural admonitions: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines, for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace, not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. Foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender stripes. On the other hand, there are many scriptural commands to hold fast the faithful word, to keep that which is committed to thy trust.
Many of these points of sound doctrine are absolutely essential, such as the deity of Christ, the authority of Scripture, salvation by grace, the resurrection of Christ, and many others clearly and specifically taught in Scripture. Perhaps the rule might be: if it's an essential doctrine, teach and defend it at all costs. If it's a secondary doctrine, teach it in meekness and love. But if it's a fringe issue, avoid strife over it, allowing brothers to exercise their freedom. Is creationism a fringe issue?
No. Few doctrines are so clearly taught in Scripture. Is it crucial to salvation? No. But it is essential to adequately understand the primary doctrines, for it is foundational to them all.
Furthermore, it concerns the subject of origins, which the enemy has identified as a major battleground, vowing to destroy Christianity over this issue. Here we must stand if we are to guard our faith. If you've enjoyed today's devotional, be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. And please rate and review so more listeners can find us. To support ICR's ministry, visit icr.org/slash donate.
Your gift of any amount helps us to reach others with biblical truth and encouragement. Thanks for listening. We hope you'll start each day with days of praise.
