I've known people who have been saved out of horrendous lifestyles. They were still rough around the edges and were often criticized by others who called themselves *Christian*.
Sure, they weren't to the same level of *spirituality* that may church people felt they had attained, but for their flaws in doctrine and sometimes still sin in their lives, they had made light years of progress. Much more so than the legalists who were condemning them.
It was just a matter of where they started from compared to others. They had further to go, but made MUCH, MUCH more individual progress.
If someones doctrine doesn't match mine in areas where it is not critical for one's salvation, then I figure it's up to God to convict them. There is no compromise however, on the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection though.
Yup, I couldn't agree more. Core principles are non-negotiable to be within the theater of Christianity. That's why it confuses me that such a basic idea eludes those who would include clearly non-Christian groups under the heading of "Protestant".