The current issue of Tabletalk is on “Drawing the Line: Why Doctrine Matters.”

These two articles are particularly worth reading:

1. DeYoung, Kevin. “Where and How Do We Draw the Line?” Tabletalk 36:7 (July 2012): 13–14. (Also on Kevin’s blog.)
2. Trueman, Carl R. “Why Do We Draw the Line?” Tabletalk 36:7 (July 2012): 21–22.

DeYoung suggests and explains “seven steps we ought to pursue in establishing doctrinal boundaries”:

1. Establish what are the essentials of the faith.
2. Listen to the communion of the saints.
3. Distinguish between landing theology and launching theology.
4. Distinguish between the explicit teaching of Scripture and the application of scriptural principles.
5. Distinguish between church existence and church health.
6. Avoid foolish controversies.
7. Allow for areas of disagreement, especially in dealing with “conversion baggage.”

My favorite line: “Some doctrinal disputes are worth dying for, others are just dumb.”

Trueman challenges the popular concept of evangelicals emphasizing the center-image but not boundaries.

Related: Doctrinal Boundaries