How often when we begin to discuss differences in theology, does someone end it by saying, "Well, this is not a salvation issue?" implying that if it does not affect our salvation, it doesn't matter.
I certainly understand that there are matters that fall under the heading of adiaphora-things indifferent. These are the extra-biblical practices or traditions that find their way into the church. Admittedly, some people have made "things indifferent" into salvation issues, saying, "you can't be a real Christian if you don't do that!" This brand of modern hypocrisy is a stain on the church and her doctrine. On the other hand, liberal theology has found a comfort zone when they deviate from biblical teachings, by categorizing these as non-salvation issues.
What is or is not a salvation issue is a matter that can be debated another time, but I am concerned with the premise. Is our salvation the main criteria by which we interpret the Bible. There certainly are proper salvation issues. Some would say that all that is required is, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved...." (Acts 16:31) Yet, that too needs to be defined and our Heidelberg Catechism does an excellent job in this.
What is disturbing is that the ‘non-salvation issue' argument is supposed to settle any discussion. However, if the question of what we as Christians believe or practice is simply a matter of how it affects our salvation, that is a pretty selfish attitude. Often the question becomes, "How low can we set the bar, and still be orthodox?" For many in the Christian community, a generic Christianity is actually the ideal-with a minimum of doctrines, creeds, or definitions.
This fickle attitude is substantiated by a 2008 survey from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (http://religions.pewforum.org), which stated that more than a quarter of U. S. adults have left the faith of their childhood for another religion or no religion. Forty-four percent said they had moved from one Protestant denomination to another in their lifetime. That survey also found that 25 percent of adults aged 18-29 claim no affiliation with any religious institution (a bleak future). Mainline Protestant churches are declining and non-denominational Protestant churches are taking up the slack (traditional Reformed and Presbyterian membership stands a slightly over one percent.
In many cases people have not left the faith, but the church has left the faith and forced people to seek an alternative, often with different doctrinal fundamentals. Others have simply left their historical, doctrinal moorings, judging them to be antiquated and non-essential. The comfort zone in changing churches is that whatever the differences, they are not salvation issues. Some differences obviously do involve matters of orthodoxy, and some do not. Many people could not even name the three marks of a true church, or they don't care since they deem them non-salvational issues.
Questions and issues are inevitable. But the, ‘This won't affect my salvation' argument is a poor starting point. We need a principle outside of ourselves to make good judgments. There is a better criteria for Christians to employ-one that is less man-centered and more God-centered. The principle that should take priority in our thinking is God's glory. Ask yourself, "How will what I do impact God's glory? Will it in any way dishonor Him?"
More must be involved than simply, "If I do this or believe this, can I still be saved?" That amounts to, "How close can I get to the edge without falling off?" This presumption flows right out of post-modern thought in which everything centers on man, his feelings, and his definitions. Pragmatic modern man defines the salvation issues in accord with his desires or with his ignorance of God revealed in the Scriptures.
A better criteria to determine every course of action would be, "will this bring greater glory and praise to God?" This too, must be defined, not by man, but by God who has revealed Himself and His will in the Scriptures. If some practice in the church or in our faith cannot pass that test, we have no business going there.
Many things in life will require some careful thought as to whether they are right or wrong. The first question may not be, "How will this affect me?" but, "How will this affect a holy God?" The Apostle Paul contemplated this and concluded, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (I Cor. 10:31) Whether or not, in all things, we seek to bring God the glory for the gift of salvation is a real salvation issue.
