Why, and how would you articulate that principle from Scripture?
(I dont mean to push. You can stop at any time.)
2 Timothy 24, 25: “And the Lords servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth”.
I’m pretty sure Paul didn’t mean that ridicule is an acceptable form of “gentle instruction”.
I would first articulate that there are fundamental positions on which we must agree if we are to consider ourselves and others as true believers in Christ. These are those fundamental doctrines that lead to a saving faith in Christ, which have traditionally been accepted as the following:
1) The Deity of Jesus Christ. Jesus being God in human flesh, the second person of the Trinity. (John 1:1; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8-9).
2) The Virgin Birth. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27).
3) The Blood Atonement. The once and for all sacrifice of Jesus dying for our sins. (Acts 20:28; Romans 3:25, 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12-14).
4) The Bodily Resurrection.(Luke 24:36-46; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 15:14-15).
5) The inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures. (Psalms 12:6-7; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20).
Note that these all point to the person and work of Christ.
Now as to eschatology, Christ himself taught the following in Matthew 23:36: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” If eschatology were “essential” to salvation then it would of necessity be clear. Jesus taught the following: “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Little children need fundamentals...endless speculation as to end times tends to muddy the waters. Nothing “hidden” can in my opinion be deemed a fundamental element of the faith.
Once you’ve established what is essential to a saving faith, you establish that the remaining doctrines are non-essential. I understand that this may be difficult for confessional/Reformed Protestants on some level.
Even if you disagree with me on what constitutes an essential article of faith, you must lovingly correct your brethren. Again as Ive previously noted, Paul instructed Timothy as follows (2 Tim. 24,25): And the Lords servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,.
Mr. Mitchell Im afraid does not instruct in the pattern of Pauls teaching.