Below is a chart we have been working through in my high school Bible class. It was designed to show how a Christian should react toward differences with other people. For example, if I disagree with my pastor about a certain topic, should one of us be treated as a false teacher? The answer to that question would depend on what the disagreement was. Some things are so important that there is no room for disagreement. Other things may not require separation but are enough of a disagreement that we would have difficulty working together. Then there are other issues that really shouldn’t matter.

One of the reasons for the chart is to keep the students from becoming overly accepting. There are some biblical subjects about which a Christian should not allow any difference (esp. the fundamentals). Those who disregard inerrancy can sound very intellectual and spiritually minded, but their unbelief degrades the character of God’s work. Someone who denies the deity of Christ may state his position very logically but he is nonetheless either a false teacher or a novice who needs correction. Although all the Scriptures are equally inspired and inerrant, some doctrines are more understandable and more easily supported in the Scriptures. For instance, one’s understanding of the vicarious atonement of Christ is more important than his view of Christian schools. In other words, there are some things that are more important than others.

Another reason for making the chart is to keep my students from becoming overly judgmental. It is easy to say I will separate from all false doctrine but much harder to apply it in real life. Although some others have been asking these questions from a young fundamentalist perspective, I need to be clear in my answers to my students. What is false doctrine? Does that only involve the fundamentals? Or should one separate over the differences between Calvinism and Arminianism? Should I separate over the mode of baptism practiced by a local church? Yes, I believe I am right and that the other is wrong. But, a difference does not automatically deserve the label of false teacher.