A. PURPOSE
The series “Differing Opinions” delves into the distinction between essential Christian doctrines and secondary matters. It explores the importance of understanding and navigating differences of opinion within the framework of evangelical Christianity. The series emphasizes the significance of recognizing core beliefs while also acknowledging and respecting varying perspectives on non-essential issues. It provides amplifying resources to aid in comprehending the complexities of differing opinions within the Christian faith. Overall, the essence of this series lies in promoting unity, respect, and thoughtful engagement amidst diverse viewpoints within the evangelical Christian community.

B: OVERVIEW
The early Christian Church faced various theological and doctrinal challenges. The apostles addressed these differences by providing guidance and clarification through letters and teachings. Here are a few examples with corresponding Scripture references:

Circumcision and Gentile Believers: The apostles, particularly Paul and Barnabas, addressed the issue of whether Gentile believers needed to be circumcised to be fully part of the Christian community. Scripture Reference: Acts 15:1-29

Meat Sacrificed to Idols: Paul addressed the matter of eating meat sacrificed to idols, emphasizing the importance of considering weaker believers and avoiding causing them to stumble. Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Resurrection Denial: Some individuals were denying the resurrection of the dead. Paul strongly affirmed the resurrection as a fundamental Christian belief. Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 15:12-58

Legalism and Judaizers: Paul dealt with Judaizers who insisted on adherence to certain Jewish customs and laws. He emphasized salvation through faith in Christ alone. Scripture Reference: Galatians 2:11-21

False Teaching in Colossae: The Apostle Paul addressed a variety of false teachings in his letter to the Colossians, emphasizing the supremacy of Christ and warning against deceptive philosophies. Scripture Reference: Colossians 2:8-23

Throughout these instances, the apostles relied on the Holy Scriptures, God’s revelation, to guide and instruct the early Christian communities. They consistently emphasized the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, the importance of faith, and the need for unity in the body of believers. The Holy Scriptures are foundational for aligning ourselves with the valid Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here are some additional Scripture references that emphasize the authority and sufficiency of God’s Holy Word:

2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Galatians 1:8-9: “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”

1 Thessalonians 2:13: “For this reason, we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”

Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Romans 10:17: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

John 17:17: “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”

These verses highlight the importance of relying on God’s Word for teaching, correction, and understanding the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures serve as the ultimate authority for discerning and aligning ourselves with God’s revealed truth.

The experiences of the early church underscore the imperative of disputing and correcting any teachings that diverge significantly from the proclaimed Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul emphatically emphasizes this necessity in Galatians 1:8-9, declaring, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”

The essence of this unequivocal statement is that we are instructed not to passively accept preaching or teachings that contradict the gospel already received. This gospel is contained within the declared Gospel of Jesus Christ, elucidated in various gospels, books, letters, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ as found in the New Testament.

This is the declared benchmark, this is the standard by which all of us who believe and trust in Jesus, are instructed and strongly encouraged to follow and defend.

The essence of my argument is that encountering individuals with divergent opinions is not a novel experience, and the imperative to scrutinize, rectify, and safeguard against such contrasting viewpoints has persisted. This benchmark, along with the need to defend the truth of God, finds ample support in various biblical principles. I intend to furnish this dedicated webpage with multiple links directing readers to posts that expound on these reasons. Additionally, I will include links to articles addressing the definition of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and ongoing discussions via posts on the repercussions of divergent opinions.

This dedicated webpage is a work in progress and it is my prayer and hope that it will serve as a resource for other Christian laypersons who seek to follow the biblical admonition to know and defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As always, I seek your constructive criticism and any recommendations that you might think as being prudent.

The content provided and the manner in which it is presented may change over time, so I would ask you to bear with me as this resource prayerfully unfolds. Also, due to personal limitations of free time, I shall be adding to the content as available time and personal responsibilities permit.

I have organized the content in the following order;

a. Purpose
b. Overview
c. The Sufficiency of God’s Holy Word
d. Consequences of Differing Opinions
e. What Constitutes the Gospel of Jesus Christ
f.  Distinction Between Essential Christian Doctrines and Secondary Matters.
g.  Amplifying Resources
h. Summary

C. THE SUFFICIENCY OF GOD’S HOLY WORD
1. https://bcooper.ca/2023/08/05/framework-series-through-the-maze-of-evangelical-christianity-the-need-for-balanced-biblical-discernment/
This blog post discusses the importance of balanced biblical discernment within Evangelical Christianity. It emphasizes the necessity of discerning true teachings from false ones, cults, and heretical movements. The post cautions against a hypercritical spirit that could lead to excessive fault-finding within the Christian community. Exercising biblical discernment is crucial in today’s diverse spiritual landscape to stay anchored in the unchanging truths of God’s Word.

D. CONSEQUENCES OF DIFFERING OPINIONS
1. https://bcooper.ca/2024/02/02/the-consequences-of-differing-opinions-part-one/
This post discusses the prevalence of topics that divide people due to differing opinions, such as Roman Catholicism, Evolution and Creationism, and the New Apostolic Reformation movement. The post highlights that these topics are complex and only touch the surface of the broader range of divisive issues.
2. https://bcooper.ca/2024/02/05/the-consequences-of-differing-opinions-part-two/
This blog post is a continuation of the discussion from Part One regarding how neglecting to address “secondary issues” can impede defending the core tenets of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It acknowledges the interconnected nature of various aspects within Christianity and plans to address additional concerns related to differing opinions in future posts, aiming to provide a more substantial perspective on these matters.
3. https://bcooper.ca/2024/02/18/the-consequences-of-differing-opinions-part-three/
This post delves into the risk of inadvertently overlooking crucial elements when discussing differing opinions within Christianity. It emphasizes the importance of careful consideration and reliance on the Holy Word of God to ensure a comprehensive message. Striking a balance between brevity and inclusivity is highlighted as essential, recognizing that every aspect of the Gospel contributes to its holistic understanding.
4. https://bcooper.ca/2024/02/20/the-consequences-of-differing-opinions-part-four/
This post continues the series by emphasizing the challenge of maintaining a mindset that separates discussing disagreements or differing perspectives from personal feelings towards individuals. It specifically mentions the historical and traditional evangelical Protestant opposition to many doctrines and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, highlighting the difficulty in separating disagreement with an issue from personal relationships during discussions.
5. https://bcooper.ca/2024/02/26/the-consequences-of-differing-opinions-part-five/
This concluding post in this series discusses the importance of focusing on educating the audience rather than condemning opposing views, especially in matters not deemed essential to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes fostering understanding and dialogue, even on contentious topics like creationism or predestination. The article encourages presenting beliefs in a way that promotes learning and consideration of alternate opinions where applicable. This post also infers that conflict in online relationships arises from differing goals or means to the same ends, with communication playing a key role in either escalating disagreements into conflicts or resolving them amicably.

E. WHAT CONSTITUTES THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
1. https://bcooper.ca/2023/07/10/framework-series-through-the-maze-of-evangelical-christianity-what-constitutes-the-gospel-of-jesus-christ/
This post explores the essential components that make up the Gospel of Jesus Christ, primarily as expressed in the New Testament. It aims to strike a balance between brevity and inclusiveness in discussing these crucial aspects, recognizing that diverse opinions may exist regarding the definition of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. https://bcooper.ca/2023/05/28/the-key-components-of-the-gospel-of-jesus-christ/
This post discusses the essential elements that constitute the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the significance of understanding these key components, which include the nature of God, the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the certainty of God’s revelation through the Bible. The post underscores that these components collectively form the richness and depth of the Gospel as taught in the Holy Bible, conveying a message of hope, redemption, and transformation.
3. https://bcooper.ca/2024/09/07/the-gospel-of-jesus-christ-essential-and-secondary-components/ This post represents the culmination of some previous writings, bringing together the core and secondary aspects or components of the Gospel of Jesus Christ into one comprehensive piece.
4. https://bcooper.ca/2024/02/18/the-consequences-of-differing-opinions-part-three/
This repeat post delves into the risk of inadvertently overlooking crucial elements when discussing differing opinions within Christianity. It emphasizes the importance of careful consideration and reliance on the Holy Word of God to ensure a comprehensive message. Striking a balance between brevity and inclusivity is highlighted as essential, recognizing that every aspect of the Gospel contributes to its holistic understanding.

F. DISTINCTION BETWEEN ESSENTIAL CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES AND SECONDARY MATTERS
1. https://bcooper.ca/2024/01/07/distinction-between-essential-christian-doctrines-and-secondary-matters/
This post discusses the importance of distinguishing between essential doctrines and secondary matters in Christian discernment. It outlines key criteria for making this distinction, such as the biblical foundation, creedal affirmations, salvific significance, unity of the Body of Christ, impact on Christian living, criticality to Christian identity, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. By evaluating beliefs against these criteria, Christians can navigate differing opinions while upholding the core tenets of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

G. AMPLIFYING RESOURCES
1. https://bcooper.ca/2023/07/18/framework-series-through-the-maze-of-evangelical-christianity-information-overload-and-critical-thinking/
This blog post explores the challenges posed by the increasing influx of information in today’s world. It emphasizes the importance of critical thinking as a tool to navigate this abundance of information effectively, particularly within the context of Evangelical Christianity. The post aims to help readers develop critical thinking skills to discern deception that conflicts with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, offering insights on how to avoid being overwhelmed and isolated amidst the complexities of Evangelical Christianity.
2. https://bcooper.ca/2023/08/10/framework-series-through-the-maze-of-evangelical-christianity-differences-of-opinion/
This post delves into the significance of understanding how differences of opinion play a crucial role in navigating the complexities of Evangelical Christianity. The post explores various sub-topics such as the reasons behind differing perspectives, the New Testament witness, insights from early church councils, Christian church history, and the landscape of current Evangelical Christianity. It highlights the diversity of beliefs and perspectives within Evangelical Christianity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a solid biblical foundation amidst differing opinions to uphold the core tenets of the faith.
3. https://bcooper.ca/2021/03/24/so-lets-see-if-i-understand-this-correctly/
This post discusses the prevalence of spreading unsubstantiated information (lies) and making demeaning accusations about others on the internet. The post highlights the misconception that just because something is on the internet, it is automatically true. The article emphasizes the negative impact of slander, false witness, and character degradation in online interactions. It calls for a reflection on the acceptability of such behaviors and the importance of verifying information before sharing it to prevent the spread of misinformation and unjust attacks on individuals’ characters.
4. https://bcooper.ca/2018/04/24/recommended-practises-for-discernment/
This post discusses the importance of discernment for believers, emphasizing the need to differentiate between disputable practices and indisputable doctrine. Discernment is defined as the ability to decide between truth and error, right and wrong, making careful distinctions in thinking about truth. It is crucial for thinking biblically about all aspects of life to lead an uncompromising life. The article highlights that discernment is not optional for believers and is essential for avoiding being misled by false teachings. It mentions examples from the New Testament where churches were praised or rebuked based on their level of discernment. The text also touches on the concept of Ignatian Discernment, which involves prayer and weighing facts and feelings to make choices that align with God’s will. Moreover, the article from Ligonier Ministries emphasizes that discernment involves learning to think God’s thoughts after Him, enabling individuals to see things as God sees them. It acts as a means of protection against spiritual deception, a tool for healing when exercised in grace, a key to Christian freedom, and a catalyst for spiritual development. In essence, this post stresses the significance of discernment in guiding believers to make sound decisions aligned with biblical principles, emphasizing its role in protecting against deception, promoting spiritual growth, and fostering a deeper understanding of God’s will in various aspects of life.
5. https://bcooper.ca/2024/03/03/one-hundred-percent-guaranteed-truth/
This post discusses the challenge of providing 100% guaranteed proof in the context of Christianity. It highlights the difficulty in offering irrefutable evidence due to various factors like differing worldviews, subjective interpretations, and the nature of historical and religious texts. The article emphasizes the personal experience of individuals who have a relationship with Jesus and rely on God’s guidance through the Holy Spirit. It also mentions the limitations faced by Christians, even scholars, in meeting the demand for absolute proof of the trustworthiness of the Bible. The post also suggests a “Cumulative Case for Christianity” approach and references another post on “objective truth” that complements this discussion.
6. https://bcooper.ca/2024/03/09/the-evidence-for-christianity-doesnt-tell-us-anything-j-warner-wallace/
This post discusses the distinction between “proof” and “evidence” in the context of Christianity. J. Warner Wallace emphasizes the importance of understanding that evidence does not definitively “tell” us anything but rather allows individuals to draw reasonable inferences. It highlights the need to be cautious about presuppositions and biases when evaluating evidence for Christianity or God’s existence. The article encourages a careful examination of facts and evidence to determine truth from error, ultimately leading to a sound understanding of theism and the validity of Christianity.
7. https://bcooper.ca/2024/03/09/a-declaration-of-intent-regarding-differing-opinions/
This linked article titled “A Declaration of Intent Regarding Differing Opinions” discusses my perspective as a Traditional Protestant Evangelical Christian on the perception that expressing disagreement with publicly expressed opinions is judgmental or overly critical. I argue against this characterization, stating that it is important to voice dissent when necessary without being automatically labeled as judgmental. The post outlines the reasons for publishing this declaration, including providing an overview of its necessity, clarifying limitations in discernment regarding Christian salvation, and establishing the standard for addressing conflicting interpretations of the Gospel within Christianity. I emphasize the importance of freedom of expression while challenging the notion that differing opinions should be seen as inherently negative.
8. https://bcooper.ca/2024/04/09/the-whole-counsel-of-gods-holy-word/
This posts expands upon the sufficiency of God’s Holy Word via studying the necessity of studying the whole counsel of God’s Holy Word.
9. A series of eight posts that addresses the topics of Jesus or Caesar, the Folly of Trusting in Earthly Kings, Christian Nationalism, the Woke Right , Dominionism, the Christian Right Versus the Christian Left and Vice Versa, Circumventing God’s Will and Passive Disengagement Versus Active Participation:
https://bcooper.ca/2024/08/01/jesus-and-caesar-revisited-and-updated/
https://bcooper.ca/2024/07/19/the-folly-of-trusting-in-earthly-kings/
https://bcooper.ca/2024/07/25/the-whole-counsel-of-gods-holy-word-versus-christian-nationalism/
https://bcooper.ca/2024/07/25/the-woke-right-versus-the-whole-counsel-of-gods-holy-word/
https://bcooper.ca/2024/07/25/dominionism-as-associated-with-christian-nationalism-and-the-new-apostolic-reformation/
https://bcooper.ca/2024/07/31/the-christian-right-versus-the-christian-left-and-vice-versa/
https://bcooper.ca/2024/08/14/circumventing-gods-will/
https://bcooper.ca/2024/08/18/passive-disengagement-versus-active-participation/
Note: For your convenience, these eight posts have been combined into a singular PDF file which may be downloaded here: Eight Post PDF
10. https://bcooper.ca/2024/11/28/the-thief-on-the-cross-a-testament-to-grace-faith-and-gods-sovereignty-in-salvation/
This post is a late addition but one that we all should be mindful of. It deals with the issue of judging whether someone is saved or isn’t saved, drawing attention to the biblical reality that this particular judgement is solely the responsibility of Jesus, not ours. 

H. SUMMARY
This dedicated webpage discusses the distinction between essential Christian doctrines and secondary matters, emphasizing the importance of defending the faith, exercising biblical discernment, teaching sound doctrine, and rebuking false teachings. It also touches on maintaining unity while upholding biblical truth, highlighting the challenges that can arise in balancing these aspects within the context of ecumenism. The webpage also provides amplifying resources which expand upon the discussed topics. 

It is my prayer and hope that this limited series has in some small measure been helpful to my fellow Christian brothers and sisters in Christ.

From one sheep in God’s sheepfold to another.
Respectfully submitted for your consideration.

Worthy is the Lamb! Blessings!

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