Theological Triage
Triage is a term often heard in hospitals—it simply means evaluating the urgency of medical needs. While sometimes the term might invoke panic (as it does for me); it’s actually about prioritization. In the same way, I believe Christians, at times, need to practice theological triage.
What does that mean? We can easily become fixated on specific doctrines or teachings that resonate with us—end times, creation views, church structure, gender roles, or Calvinism, just to name a couple of things. While these are important, they can sometimes overshadow the foundational truths of the gospel. We need to ask ourselves on occasion: Have I elevated this doctrinal conviction to a level it doesn’t belong?
The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 4, emphasizes unity in faith—not division over doctrine. That’s not to say doctrine is unimportant. But it’s easy to focus on disagreements rather than what unites us. That’s why theological triage is so helpful. It allows us to weigh our convictions appropriately, preventing us from being “tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14).
A helpful framework I learned from Dr. Gerry Breshears at Western Seminary is this three-tiered system:
Hills to Die On
Core doctrines essential to the Christian faith:
- The authority and inspiration of Scripture
- The Trinity
- The incarnation: Jesus’ virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, and return
- Salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone
- The indwelling of the Holy Spirit
- A literal heaven and hell
Hills to Divide Over
Important doctrinal issues that may separate congregations but not the faith:
- God’s sovereignty and election (Calvinism vs. Arminianism)
- Believer’s baptism vs. infant baptism
- Views on spiritual gifts and the Holy Spirit
- Church polity (elder-led vs. congregational)
- The church’s role in politics and social justice
- Gender roles in church leadership (egalitarian vs. complementarian)
Hills to Debate For
Topics worth discussing within a local body, but not worth division:
- Age of the earth and creation timelines
- Preaching styles (topical vs. expositional)
- Musical Worship styles
- Church Budgeting Priorities
These categories aren’t exhaustive, and you may place certain issues differently. In fact, I’m sure that you will. But the process itself is valuable. It helps us hold our beliefs with conviction and humility while keeping the gospel at the center.
Maybe take some time this week to conduct your own theological triage. While on the one hand, I believe it will edify you to think through your Christian convictions, you might also find God softening your heart toward others who hold to the same core convictions of the faith, but see other divide over and debate for issues differently.
*You can read more about Dr. Breshears system for Theological Triage here.
In Christ’s Mercy,
Pastor Ryan A.