How Pastors Can Effectively Practice Theological Triage

How Pastors Can Effectively Practice Theological Triage

Author: The Gospel Coalition March 31, 2023 Duration: 49:04

In 2005, Al Mohler wrote an article about the call to Christian maturity through triaging theological issues. As with prioritizing particular injuries and illnesses in a hospital, there's great need for ranking theological issues in order of importance within the church.

At TGC21, Matt Smethurst moderates a panel with Al Mohler, Gavin Ortlund, and Afshin Ziafat as they discuss how to separate primary, secondary, and tertiary theological beliefs. Smethurst defines the three categories as follows:

  1. Primary doctrines are central to Christianity—things you have to agree on to be a Christian.
  2. Secondary doctrines separate churches and create denominations due to differing beliefs. These are things you must agree on in order to be church members in the same body.
  3. Last-order issues aren't definitional for any kind of confessional system, and they allow Christians to remain unified while holding their differing beliefs.

Gavin Ortlund shares that love should always be the driving motivation in finding where one’s church stands on theological beliefs. He says, “When we notice we are being too sectarian and fighting too much, it is helpful to ask if this is becoming a form of self-justification.” Ortlund reminds us we're saved by grace alone, through faith in Christ alone.

Recommended resource: Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage by Gavin Ortlund


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


Drawing from the archives of live events, the TGC Podcast from The Gospel Coalition offers a front-row seat to thoughtful discussions that sit at the intersection of faith and everyday life. This collection presents keynote addresses and breakout sessions recorded at their various conferences, capturing moments of teaching and dialogue meant to deepen understanding. The conversations you'll hear are grounded in a Christian worldview, exploring how timeless truths engage with contemporary issues in culture, philosophy, and society. It’s a resource for anyone curious about how spiritual conviction informs our approach to art, work, community, and leadership. By sharing these talks, the aim is to provide practical theology and thoughtful commentary that helps listeners navigate the complexities of modern life with wisdom and grace. Each episode serves as a standalone session, whether it's a deep dive into a biblical text, an analysis of cultural trends, or reflections on pastoral ministry. Tuning into this podcast means accessing a wealth of perspectives dedicated to forming resilient faith. The content is crafted not just for pastors and church leaders, but for any believer seeking to connect their Sunday faith to their Monday reality. You will encounter a range of voices from within The Gospel Coalition network, all united by a commitment to the centrality of the gospel. The hope is that these recordings equip and challenge you to think more deeply about your own spiritual journey and your role in the world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 438

TGC Podcast
Podcast Episodes
52 Weeks in the Word [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:43
This talk from TGCW24 by Trillia Newbell explores the what, when, where, and how of Bible reading. Newbell looks at different approaches to reading, studying, and applying God’s Word, as well as strategies for effective…
Reflecting on 20 Years of God's Faithfulness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:44
The Christian landscape has shifted in significant ways since 2005, the year The Gospel Coalition was founded. In this panel discussion recorded at TGC25, Mark Vroegop, Nancy Guthrie, Collin Hansen, Juan Sanchez, and Lig…
How to Speak Jesus to Your Friends [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:41
Loving Jesus means loving our neighbors as well. But our culture is increasingly post-Christian, post-church, and post-reached. Our neighbors feel further away than they’ve ever been. So what shifts are needed to speak J…
Risen Motherhood’s Last, Best Advice for Moms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:56
Over the past 10 years, Laura Wifler and Emily Jensen have watched motherhood shift in significant ways. As they sunset their popular Risen Motherhood ministry, they've got some parting advice for today's moms. Listen to…
Transformed Together: Ryan Kwon on Eph. 4:25–5:14 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:19
In this plenary message from TGC25, Ryan Kwon exposits Ephesians 4:25–5:14. He explains that God's indicatives always lead to God's imperatives, and the grace of God gives believers a new desire to obey God's commands. I…
Equipped Together: Andrew Wilson on Eph. 4:1–16 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:50
In this plenary session from TGC25, Andrew Wilson argues that you can't make sense of the book of Ephesians without understanding the necessity of Jesus's ascension. He characterizes the structure of Ephesians 4:1-16 as…
Unto Us: Advent Devotional [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:21
An excerpt from the Advent devotional Unto Us: 25 Advent Devotions about the Messiah. Unto Us is available to buy on Amazon or in the TGC store. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for informati…
Reconciled Together: Mark Vroegop on Eph. 2:11–12 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:09
In this plenary talk from TGC25, Mark Vroegop teaches from Ephesians 2:11-22. He talks about the compelling need to remember our redemption and its results, to understand how our vertical reconciliation to God effects ou…
It’s Here: Gen-Z Revival Hits Campuses This Fall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:01
Campus pastors describe ministry this fall as ‘crazy,’ ‘wildly encouraging,’ and ‘a little overwhelming but super exciting.’ Listen to Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra read her article, published at The Gospel Coalition, about the…
Rescued Together: Kenneth Mbugua on Eph. 2:1–10 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:30
In this plenary message from TGC25, Kenneth Mbugua preaches on Eph. 2:1–10 about the boasting inherent to human nature, what it reveals about our lives, and how the outworking of our new nature in Christ leads to boastin…