I am wrapping up a semester of teaching basic theology to students. I am taking them through an exercise where they are developing their own statement of faith. Interestingly enough, I have come across posts about essential theology.

T.C. links to Pen and Parchment for the discussion. There are some good thoughts.

One thing to be reminded of is this: It’s not a set of beliefs that SAVES you. It’s Jesus that saves. But there is RIGHT THINKING. Paul talks about how we learn Christ in Ephesians. There are essentials to the faith. Quite honestly, I think the essentials are FEW. We can get long-winded on a lot of things, but those are secondary issues. What is primary in your faith? What is essential theology in your belief system?

I like the list compiled as essential:

• Belief in God (there is no such thing as an atheistic Christian)
  All issues pertaining to the person and work of Christ:
• Belief in Christ’s deity and humanity (1 John 4:2-3; Rom. 10:9)
• Belief that you are a sinner in need of God’s mercy (1 John 1:10)
• Belief that Christ died on the cross and rose bodily from the grave (1 Cor 15:3-4)
• Belief that faith in Christ is necessary (John 3:16)

The orthodox belief goes further in many areas, but these are good essentials.