Essential vs. Peripheral Doctrine

Separation Points
Excerpt:

... the adherents to Dr. Ketchum’s form of “Fundamentalism” have been duped into embracing a largely phony spirituality that weighs a person down with personal preference convictions that masquerade as genuine holiness.

Additionally, individuals who practice his “Fundamentalism” have created an imaginary “concentration camp” of sorts that is governed by pastoral strong men who rule over souls with an iron fist insisting folks adopt and work out every one of those preference issues or face the severe displeasure of God almighty.

Ultimately, this view of sanctification leads the practitioner to paranoid despair, because it is believed that if a person doesn’t read the KJV 1611, or dress a certain way, or spend every moment of free-time attending church, or listens to any “unapproved” preachers, or reads any “banned” authors, etc, God will scowl down at him from heaven and the person risks a nasty smiting or a severe divine wedgie.

... Thankfully, there are others, however, who realize Dr. Ketchum’s view of “Fundamentalism” doesn’t truly reflect biblical “Fundamentalism” and so they strike out to where they can find true solace in the teaching and preaching of sound men. They have a lot of detox to go through in order to retrain their minds for thinking rightly, but God graciously helps them.

Comment: I find the Essential vs. Peripheral Doctrine (chart from the ESV study Bible) very helpful. Often times fundementalist pastors make the peripheral, essential.

Absolutes Convictions Opinions and Questions

Comment: From ESV Study Bible "True Theology: Knowing and Loving God"

Excerpt:

Where an issue falls within these categories should be determined by weighing the cumulative force of at least seven considerations:

1. biblical clarity
   
2. relevance to the character of God
   
3. relevance to the essence of the gospel
   
4. biblical frequency and significance (how often in Scripture it is taught, and what weight Scripture places upon it)
   
5. effect on other doctrines
   
6. consensus among Christians (past and present) and
   
7. effect on personal and church life
   

These criteria for determining the importance of particular beliefs must be considered in light of their cumulative weight regarding the doctrine being considered. For instance, just the fact that a doctrine may go against the general consensus among believers (see item 6) does not necessarily mean it is wrong, although that might add some weight to the argument against it. All the categories should be considered collectively in determining how important an issue is to the Christian faith. The ability to rightly discern the difference between core doctrines and legitimately disputable matters will keep the church from either compromising important truth or needlessly dividing over peripheral issues.