WHAT WE BELIEVE

When it comes to comprehensive statements of faith and practice, we understand well that various theological persuasions will not agree on the fine points (e.g. our Reformed friends would differ in ways from our Wesleyan friends, and the same applies to Baptist, Anglican and so forth, in varying degrees). But when it comes to the fundamentals, the following is a good foundation:

We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

*As adopted by the National Association of Evangelicals.

SCRIPTURE & INTERPRETATION

The sufficiency and authority of Scripture are often in question today. Where do we stand? Here are some links that shed light on how we view and approach Scripture.

The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy
The Chicago Statement on Biblical Application
The Chicago Statement On Biblical Hermeneutics

COME TOGETHER (UNITY)

“In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity.” – Rupertus Meldenius

Diversity in systems, differences in traditions and cultures...we believe and have lived the fact that, rather than dividing us, our varied Christian lives provide opportunity for celebration and unifying of our faith. The cross of Christ transcends all barriers, and where there is genuine Gospel, there is joyful unity. Christian dogma—the things we hold to be necessary, and true—such as the deity of Christ, his virgin birth, resurrection and ascension, etc., far from dividing, are the opposite. These act as the very and holy glue that binds us together in love even as we work out the nuances of our differences. Unity doesn’t compromise in the dogma. Biblical unity rallies around the startling truths of the gospel. As Dorothy Sayers best put it, the dogma is the drama! As for the style in which we work these things out, we like these words from one pastor’s commentary on Mathew 5:9:

“Wrong theology, wrong standards, wrong beliefs, and wrong attitudes must be faced and dealt with, but they are not usually the best places to start the process of witnessing or peace making.

God’s people are to contend without being contentious, to disagree without being disagreeable, and to confront without being abusive. The peacemaker speaks the truth in love (Eph 4:15). To start with love is to start toward peace. We begin peacemaking with whatever peaceful point of agreement we can find. Peace begets peace. The peacemaker always gives others the benefit of the doubt.”

TheSE excellent articles help shed more light:

Pastor Ray Ortlund is a friend, pastor and Bible scholar:
http://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/rayortlund/2015/12/09/certainty-and-openness/

Here’s a fine piece on Rupertus Meldenius’ famous statement:
http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/essentials-unity-non-essentials-liberty-all-things/

Check out this blog post (a series actually) that illustrates the idea of useful collaboration and intersection of persons from different theological traditions, yet with the historic faith held wonderfully and solidly intact:
http://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/justintaylor/2011/06/23/veith-and-witheringto/

And another that illustrates and celebrates useful conversation:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/youre-a-calvinist-right/