People trying to “build a bridge” will often say that “doctrine divides” and that we should focus on Jesus and love rather than any kind of doctrinal distinctives. The problem here is that doctrine is precisely what makes us evangelical Christians and not Muslim, or Mormon, or Buddhist. To ignore doctrine is to ignore who we are.

The claim that “doctrine divides” is accurate. Doctrine does give us distinction from other religions. Many false religions have their own unique set of doctrines that depict what they believe. The doctrine of the Bible is, for biblical Christians, the core and foundation of our beliefs. Without these essential doctrines there is nothing to separate biblical Christianity from the rest of the world’s religions.

If you’ve never seen The Gospel Project curriculum, it would be in your best interest to take a moment and review it. The prominent difference between The Gospel Project and other church curriculums is that it focuses on the essential doctrines of Scripture over a three-year period. The student will be taken on a theological trip through the Bible, highlighting critical doctrines such as the Bible, God, Creation, Sin, and Redemption.

Below is a list of some of the essential doctrines discussed in The Gospel Project. Take a minute and review the list. How many of these doctrines could you clearly communicate to someone if asked? This is just 20 of the 99 essential doctrines The Gospel Project studies. Consider looking deeper into this study if you are unfamiliar with these critical doctrines.

• Inspiration of Scripture
• Inerrancy of Scripture
• God Is Omniscient
• God Is Holy
• God Is One
• God Is One in Three Persons
• Creation out of Nothing
• The Problem of Evil
• Image of God in Humanity
• Temptation and Sin
• Sin and Death
• Jesus’ Deity
• Jesus’ Humanity
• Work of the Holy Spirit in Life of the Christian
• Election
• Sanctification
• Priesthood of the Believer
• Discipleship
• Millennial Views
• Nature of Hell