Tests of Doctrinal Faithfulness

Ten commonly applied tests of doctrinal faithfulness used by Christian communities

1 Continuity with apostolic tradition
Is the claim being made continuous with what is apostolic in the tradition?
2 Congruence with Scripture
Is it congruent with what the Word of God in Scripture is speaking?
3 Consistency with worship
Is it consistent with the community’s prayer and worship?
4 Catholicity
Is it truly catholic, meaning true for the church everywhere, and not just in one place?
5 Consonance with experience
Is it consonant with experience; that is, does it ring true to life in faith?
6 Conformity with conscience
Is it in keeping with a good conscience?
7 Consequence
What are the effects or consequences?
8 Cruciality
Is the spirit that is being advocated pertinent to, or an evasion of, what is crucial, what matters most, in the situation at hand?
9 Coherence
Is it coherent in relation to contemporary modes of thought?
10 Comprehensiveness
How comprehensive is the particular teaching with respect to the full range of Christian confession?

“Theology as the Task of Disbelief” by Christopher Morse, Circuit Rider, July/august 1995; pp. 8-9. 1995. Abingdon Press.