Halogen Statements of Faith
Essential Doctrine
God, through grace and love, sent Jesus Christ as the means of reconciliation between humankind and God. Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary and was God incarnate – truly God and truly human. Jesus Christ suffered, was crucified, died and was buried, and was raised on the third day. After the ascension of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit was sent to Christ’s followers who live in order to carry out God’s will on earth as it is in heaven, as participants in the Kingdom of God, until Jesus Christ returns at a time known only to God the Father.
What does Halogen have to say about doctrine?
“In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity (love)” – Saint Augustine
- Doctrinal differences divide the church. Doctrinal statements unite the church.
- Problems with doctrine arise out of a misled understanding of the Word. Many doctrinal disputes arise when people treat non-essential doctrine as essential.
- The church wastes too much time arguing over non-essentials.
How do we decide essential truth?
Our beliefs are based on one primary source – the Bible – and three resources:
- Reason: rational thinking
- Tradition: the two thousand year history of the Church
- Experience: one's personal journey in Christ
The Bible is our foundation and final authority. Often though there are others who also claim a teaching to be "biblical." To understand the heart and mind of God as we look at Scripture and seek its truth we ask: Does this follow solid reasoning? What has been the teaching of the historic church? How is this experienced in the life of the believer?
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