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
Crawford Loritts: How Do You Make a Difference? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:05
In this keynote address from TGC's 2007 inaugural conference, Crawford Loritts explores the urgency of passing faith from one generation to the next, ensuring a deep passion for God’s character and the truth of Scripture…
John Piper: The Gospel Will Triumph [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:29
In this keynote address from TGC's 2007 inaugural conference, John Piper explores the triumph of the gospel in the new heavens and new earth, emphasizing God's faithfulness and preaching's transformative power. Reflectin…
Tim Keller: How Gospel-Shaped Ministry Looks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:28
In this keynote address from TGC's 2007 inaugural conference, TGC's cofounder Tim Keller unpacks the essence of gospel-centered ministry, drawing from 1 Peter 1–2 to highlight its historical, doxological, Christocentric,…
Don Carson: Defining and Defending the Gospel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:36
In this keynote address from TGC's inaugural conference in 2007, TGC cofounder Don Carson answers the question "What is the gospel?" He unpacks the gospel as a comprehensive, Christ-centered truth that’s theological, bib…
Understanding Adolescent Anxiety, Depression, and Mental Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:47
We’re living through a teen mental illness epidemic, as adolescents self-report record levels of sadness, loneliness, and anxiety. And teens growing up in Christian homes aren’t immune to this epidemic.In this breakout s…
Reclaiming the Lost Art of Blessing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:54
All Christians are called to bless, but do we know what that call means and how it informs the way we relate to our family and neighbors? In this breakout session at TGCW24, Tina Boesch considers the relational, future-o…
How Union with Christ Changes Everything [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:27
Amy Gannett joins Joanna Kimbrel to discuss the doctrine of union with Christ and its profound impact on the Christian life. They explore how salvation is not just a legal status but a deep, spiritual connection to Chris…
What in the World Is God Doing? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:37
In this breakout session at TGCW24, Sarah Zylstra hosts a roundtable discussion with Sarah Kuswadi, Gail Curry, Carol de Rossi, and Shamsia Borhani Rafee, highlighting the spiritual landscapes of Australia, Ireland, Lati…
Materialism, Money, and Me Culture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:31
In this breakout session from TGCW24, Jen Oshman explores the deep-rooted human desire for security, whether through material wealth, productivity, or influence. She unpacks Jesus’s parable of the rich fool in Luke 12, e…
A Conversation about Singleness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:48
In this episode, Soojin Park, Anna Meade Harris, and Lydia Brownback share their personal experiences, from widowhood to lifelong singleness, addressing the challenges and misconceptions that single individuals often fac…