Question:  Dear Greg,

            I really appreciated the article, “The Battle Over Hell” in the September/October 2001 Plain Truth.  However, I have a question concerning the statement that the subject of hell is “not a core doctrine.”  Even after reading the article, I would not know how to explain this to someone.  Would you be able to help me with this?

            Thanks,

            Billie

Answer:  Dear Billie,

            What are considered to be the exact core, essential doctrines of the Christian church differ slightly from denomination to denomination, but virtually all Christians agree upon:

1.      The triune God—God is one, yet three eternally existing Persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit

2.      Jesus—his deity, fully human and fully divine

3.      The Holy Spirit—his full deity and personality

4.      The Bible—inspired word of God

5.      Salvation by grace though faith

6.      The unity of the body of Christ—essentially, that no one humanly incorporated entity is the exclusive, one and only church of God, but that God is represented in many denominations and churches

For further background, you may wish to use the feature on our web site titled

“Search our Site”—type in “Essential Doctrines”—you will be presented with a number of resources—the first one is a question and answer much like yours, which will give further details

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht