Contributor Guidelines

Doctrine for a Christ-exalting platform.

Truth Takes exists to encourage biblical, Christ-exalting, thoughtful engagement with culture and life. These guidelines outline the theological boundaries for content.

Short version: hold the essentials firmly, handle secondary issues humbly, keep Scripture central.


Centered on historic Christianity

Content should broadly align with historic, orthodox Christianity as summarized in the classic creeds and confessions of the church.

Scripture as final authority

The Bible is treated as God's inspired, authoritative Word—not just a quote source to support opinions.

Conviction with humility

Hold core doctrines firmly, but engage secondary issues with humility, clarity, and charity.

Our theological center

Truth Takes is intentionally and unapologetically Christian. While contributors may come from different evangelical traditions, posts should broadly align with historic, orthodox Christianity.

We want to host robust thinking and even sharp disagreement on many issues— but we are not a platform for questioning or dismantling the core truths of the Christian faith.

Doctrinal center – core truths we assume

Contributors should assume—and not undermine—key doctrines such as:

  • The authority and trustworthiness of the Bible as God's inspired, authoritative Word.
  • One God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • The full deity and full humanity of Jesus Christ; his sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, and future return.
  • Salvation by grace through faith in Christ, not by human merit, ritual, or works.
  • The reality of sin, judgment, and the need for repentance and new life in Christ, as well as the hope of new creation.
  • The goodness of God's design for humanity, including his design for sexuality, marriage, and the value of every human life.

Posts do not need to restate all of these doctrines, but they should not contradict them.

Scripture & using it faithfully

We believe the Bible is the inspired, authoritative Word of God. How you handle the Bible is as important as how often you quote it.

Expected

  • Let passages speak in their context.
  • Compare Scripture with Scripture when building arguments.
  • Use recognized translations and include references.
  • Show your reasoning when applying texts today.

Not acceptable

  • "God told me" claims that effectively override or contradict Scripture.
  • Using verses as props while ignoring their meaning or context.
  • Treating the Bible as optional or subordinate to cultural trends, personal feelings, or partisan talking points.

Let the text lead. Show the reader how you got from the passage to your conclusion, and keep the gospel central even when writing on practical or cultural topics.

Core theological boundaries

Posts that clearly contradict essential Christian doctrine may be edited, declined, or removed. Examples include:

  • Denying the full deity or full humanity of Jesus Christ, or his bodily resurrection.
  • Teaching salvation by works, ritual, or universalism apart from repentance and faith in Christ.
  • Presenting salvation mainly as self-actualization, self-discovery, or social liberation apart from the cross and resurrection.
  • Promoting worship of created beings, spirits, or "energy" in place of the Triune God.
  • Encouraging involvement in occult, witchcraft, or explicitly demonic practices.
  • Celebrating what Scripture consistently names as sin without any reference to repentance or God's design.

Primary vs. secondary issues

Not every disagreement is a reason to divide. We welcome charitable engagement on many secondary topics.

Primary (hold firmly)

Denying these reshapes Christianity itself.

  • Who God is (Trinity, holiness, sovereignty).
  • Who Christ is and what he has done.
  • How we are made right with God (grace, faith, repentance—not works).
  • Basic authority and reliability of Scripture.

Secondary (hold humbly)

Believers can disagree here while staying in fellowship.

  • Denominational distinctives and church governance.
  • Mode and timing of baptism.
  • How spiritual gifts operate today.
  • Detailed end-times timelines.
  • Many prudential questions in politics or culture.

When writing on disputed topics, clearly distinguish between what Scripture demands and where you are offering your best, good-faith judgment. Avoid turning every prudential call into a "gospel issue" unless Scripture truly places it there.

Speaking about people, churches, and movements

Scripture calls us to speak the truth in love. Critique is allowed—and sometimes needed—but must remain honest, proportionate, and careful.

  • Represent others' positions fairly; avoid straw men.
  • Avoid casual use of labels like "heretic" or "wolf" without serious doctrinal reasons.
  • Do not speculate about an individual's salvation.
  • Be especially careful when discussing private individuals or local situations—avoid gossip and unnecessary detail.

Prosperity, politics, and culture

Many submissions will touch money, power, and culture. These topics are welcome, but must be approached with theological clarity and integrity.

  • Avoid teaching that reduces God to a means for guaranteed wealth, comfort, or success.
  • In political commentary, critique ideas and policies more than parties and personalities.
  • Do not equate any nation, party, or leader with God's kingdom.
  • Address cultural sins and injustices with clarity and compassion, remembering Christ saves people from every background.

Pastoral caution on sensitive topics

Some topics require extra care (abuse, self-harm, trauma, racial hostility, sexual sin, public scandal, suicide, medical advice, legal situations). When writing on these:

  • Avoid graphic detail and sensationalism.
  • Do not give professional counseling advice as if you are a clinician, attorney, or pastor.
  • Encourage readers toward wise, local help when appropriate (pastors/elders, licensed professionals, authorities where safety is at risk).

Review & editorial decisions

Our editorial team bears responsibility before the Lord for what we publish. To protect readers and maintain theological clarity, moderators and admins may:

  • Request revisions where wording is unclear or confusing.
  • Add short editor's notes for key clarifications.
  • Decline or remove posts that:
    • Clearly contradict essential Christian doctrine.
    • Promote harmful spiritual practices or obvious error.
    • Use theological language as a cover for personal attacks or abusive behavior.

If you are unsure whether a topic or angle fits within these guidelines, you are encouraged to contact the moderation team before investing heavily in a draft.

For style and tone expectations around how these convictions are expressed, see the Style & Tone Guidelines.