Are all your beliefs equally important? If not, how do you rank them? By what standard do you say, “This belief matters” and “This one is less important”? My guest today is Michael Hughes who has been working on these very questions. He’s written a couple of papers addressing levels of evidence. In his more recent work, he’s enumerated a nine-level rating system by which you can judge a belief.
At the top of it is “Level 1: beliefs that are essential to salvation” then comes “Level 2: practices that are related to salvation” then “Level 3: beliefs that are undoubtedly true,” then those that are probably true, then those that are possibly true, and so on. As we move down the levels we move from more importance to less. This is a fascinating and fresh approach to ranking beliefs and practices based on biblical confidence. Are they explicitly taught in Scripture? Are they merely implied? Are there many difficult texts or only a few? You get the picture.
After Hughes explains his rating system, I pepper him with questions, including gay marriage, marijuana use, Torah observance, and wine vs. juice at communion. For each, he explains how he would approach the belief or practice from a “levels of evidence” perspective.
(See below for brief explanations of all nine levels of evidence.)
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Level 1: Beliefs that are Essential to Salvation
Beliefs and practices which the New Testament explicitly teaches as essential for salvation have the highest degree of certainty and importance, and are confidently emphasised by the church. Anyone who believes these is a Christian and eligible for membership in the church. Anyone who doesn’t believe them is not regarded as a Christian.
Level 2: Practices that are Related to Salvation
Beliefs and practices which the New Testament identifies as related to salvation but does not identify as fundamental. These have a high degree of importance and are confidently emphasised by the church. Anyone who is a Christian should not reject them.
Level 3: Beliefs that are Undoubtedly True
Beliefs that the Bible teaches unambiguously, but which are not specifically identified as essential for salvation. These beliefs are beyond reasonable doubt, having a high level of evidence that they are true. The church speaks of them often and with conviction. Anyone who is a Christian should not reject them.
Level 4: Beliefs that are Probably True
These beliefs are clearly taught in most but not all Scriptural passages on a particular topic. They are likely to be true on the balance of probabilities but not beyond reasonable doubt, because the evidence is not unanimous. The church with humility and honesty encourages people to hold these beliefs. It may be important for people in positions of leadership to hold these beliefs.
Level 5: Beliefs that are Possibly True
Beliefs are supported by a minority of passages which provide some grounds for people to hold these beliefs. These beliefs are less likely to be true on the balance of probabilities, because the evidence for an opposing belief is stronger. The church does not teach these beliefs but welcomes as Christians those who hold them.
Level 6: Beliefs that are constructed
There is no New Testament passage that clearly or directly teaches this belief. The only scriptural evidence comes from multiple passages that need to be combined in a particular way, which means that the level of evidence to support these beliefs is low. The church does not teach these beliefs but may encourage people who believe them to focus on beliefs that are directly taught in Scripture.
Level 7: Speculation
These beliefs have little or no Scriptural support either for or against. This includes beliefs that come from outside of Scripture, beliefs on which the Bible is silent, and beliefs that are not clearly taught in any passage. The church does not teach these beliefs and may encourage people who believe them to focus on the beliefs that are truly fundamental, undoubtedly true or strongly supported by Scripture.
Level 8: Beliefs that are Undoubtedly False
These are beliefs that directly contradict unambiguous Bible teachings. The church should strongly oppose these beliefs with a high level of confidence because the evidence is unanimous that they are unscriptural beyond reasonable doubt. If the church becomes aware that someone holds any of these undoubtedly false beliefs, the church needs to provide the opportunity to discuss with them the unanimous Scriptural evidence against these beliefs. Those people then need to reject these beliefs and embrace the clear teaching of the Bible.
Level 9: Beliefs that are Fatally Opposed to Christian Teachings
These beliefs either:
– directly contradict essential Scriptural teachings, or
– are specifically identified by Scripture as being fatally opposed to Christian beliefs and practices.
The church should strongly oppose these beliefs with the highest degree of confidence and be prepared to present the Scriptural evidence to people who hold them. People who hold one or more of these beliefs are not regarded as Christian and are not eligible to be members of the church.
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