Several recent works have explored the discipline of theological triage, building on R. Albert Mohler, Jr.’s seminal article written over twenty years ago.[1] A framework of theological urgency is crucial for confessional debates, yet many issues causing division in the church today have more to do with practical application than doctrinal formulation. Christians who share theological convictions can disagree about how to apply their theology in everyday life. Consider the members of your own church who think differently about the best way to educate children, the appropriateness of certain forms of entertainment, or whether or not Christians should take on debt. How can you thoughtfully and peacefully navigate these types of differences in Christian practice?

An important step in the right direction is to recognize that such disputes belong to a particular task of theological method that calls for a triage of its own. As theological triage provides a framework for sorting doctrines, a triage for practical theology can be useful in sorting through disagreements about everyday choices. Such a grid assists Christians by correctly labeling the key issues so as to determine the appropriate path forward. A triage for practical theology should contain at least four categories found in the Scriptures: command, wisdom, conscience, and preference. The key question at the heart of this triage is, what kind of issue is at stake?

Is It an Issue of Command?

The moral category of command is the clearest—to disobey a command is to sin. Sin is “lawlessness” (1 John 3:4), and “through the law comes knowledge of sin” (Rom 3:20). If a particular action is truly a sin, it transgresses the law of God in some way. Because this category is “expressly set down in Scripture” as the Westminster divines described, its boundaries are less informed by context or circumstances. This clarity is an important aid in determining the proper response to someone else’s actions. It is right to rebuke a brother in sin and call him to repentance (1 Tim 5:20); it is wrong to expect him to conform to your perspective on a matter of opinion (Rom 14:1–4). If an action is not expressly prohibited in Scripture or does not transgress the law of God, it may belong to a different moral category.

Is It an Issue of Wisdom?

Biblical wisdom applies knowledge of God and his ways (Prov 9:10) to everyday life by discerning the outcome of particular paths (i.e., Prov 2:6–15). A lack of wisdom often results in sin, but some actions are permissible even though they could be considered unwise. Consider the wayward young man in Proverbs 7, whose poor judgment led him into the arms of an adulteress woman. His decision to pass “along the street near her corner . . . in the twilight” revealed his immaturity (Prov 7:7–9), but his proximity to the woman did not break any of God’s commands (cf. John 4:16–18). Yet, his decision to go near her house was not morally neutral—it lacked wisdom. He ignored the divine wisdom that would have him steer clear of temptation (Prov 6:20–35), and his folly led him into sin (Prov 7:21–23). An issue in this category may not directly violate the law of God, but it could put you on an unwise path where temptation eventually becomes harder to resist. You need God’s help (Jas 1:5) and good company (Prov 13:20) to discern what is wise, but you should expect to sometimes evaluate potential future outcomes differently than other believers.

Is It an Issue of Conscience?

When someone chooses to abstain from something that is neither sinful nor foolish, it is typically due to their conscience. This term is most clearly defined in Paul’s discussion of food sacrificed to idols in 1 Corinthians 8–10. Issues of conscience are influenced by both biblical wisdom and personal experience. In Corinth, some Christians were troubled by the idea of eating meat sacrificed to idols because they formerly did so in the context of pagan worship. Eating the meat was not sinful or even unwise, but the act defiled their consciences “through former association with idols” (1 Cor 8:7).

Issues of conscience pose a significant threat to church unity because differences are inevitable. Even among like-minded believers, circumstances color perspectives. The influence of your personal experience can make it difficult for you to imagine how others could operate differently in good conscience. No wonder the New Testament commands believers to respect and tolerate diverse opinions on issues in this category (Rom 14:13). Christians must submit their consciences to God (Rom 14:5–7) and seek to build one another up in love (Rom 14:19), even as they exercise liberty with discretion (Rom 14:20).

Is It an Issue of Preference?

Countless daily decisions belong to this classification defined by personal proclivity. Preferences may have some connection to wise counsel or particular convictions, but they are fundamentally matters of personal interest shaped by desires, instincts, life stage, generation, and culture.

The key to understanding the category of preference is to recognize that such an opinion is morally benign, so long as one holds to it properly (cf. Jas 4:1–3). While the Scripture may inform or change your preferences over time, you should expect to disagree with other Christians on such issues and should consider the “interests of others” above your own (Phil 2:4).

Conclusion

When an action does not disobey the clear teaching of Scripture and Christians have the freedom to either participate or abstain, you should expect to find diverse approaches among your friends and fellow church members. Before you respond to such a difference, you must consider what kind of issue is before you. Triaging applicational issues is not always simple. But as the Holy Spirit guides according to the Word, proper classification is an important step toward determining the next steps. A triage for practical theology helps distinguish the immoral from the weak or immature. One calls for correction (1 Cor 5:10–13), while the other may need encouragement or instruction (1 Cor 8:13). Both require a thoughtful response, but love of neighbor and respect for Scripture demand that you know the difference between an action that transgresses the law of God and one that defies your personal opinions.

[1] Gavin Ortlund, Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage (Crossway, 2020); Rhyne Putman, When Doctrine Divides the People of God: An Evangelical Approach to Theological Diversity (Crossway, 2020).