Are all your beliefs equally important? If not, how do you rank them? By what standard do you say, “This belief matters” and “This one is less important”? My guest today is Michael Hughes who has been working on these very questions. He’s written a couple of papers addressing levels of evidence. In his more recent work, he’s enumerated a nine-level rating system by which you can judge a belief.At the top of it is “Level 1: beliefs that are essential to salvation” then comes “Level 2: practices that are related to salvation” then “Level 3: beliefs that are undoubtedly true,” then those that are probably true, then those that are possibly true, and so on. As we move down the levels we move from more importance to less. This is a fascinating and fresh approach to ranking beliefs and practices based on biblical confidence. Are they explicitly taught in Scripture? Are they merely implied? Are there many difficult texts or only a few? You get the picture.After Hughes explains his rating system, I pepper him with questions, including gay marriage, marijuana use, Torah observance, and wine vs. juice at communion. For each, he explains how he would approach the belief or practice from a “levels of evidence” perspective.(See below for brief explanations of all nine levels of evidence.)  Listen on Spotify  Listen on Apple Podcasts—— Links ——Support Restitutio by donating hereJoin our Facebook group, follow on X @RestitutioSF or Instagram @Sean.P.Finnegan or Threads @sean.p.finneganLeave a 90 second voice message via SpeakPipe with questions or comments and we may play it out on the airWho is Sean Finnegan?  Read his bio hereGet Finnegan’s book, Kingdom Journey to learn about God’s kingdom coming on earth as well as the story of how Christianity lost this pearl of great price.Get the transcript of this episodeIntro music: Good Vibes by MBB Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Free Download / Stream: Music promoted by Audio Library.—— Notes ——Level 1: Beliefs that are Essential to SalvationBeliefs and practices which the New Testament explicitly teaches as essential for salvation have the highest degree of certainty and importance, and are confidently emphasised by the church. Anyone who believes these is a Christian and eligible for membership in the church. Anyone who doesn’t believe them is not regarded as a Christian.Level 2: Practices that are Related to SalvationBeliefs and practices which the New Testament identifies as related to salvation but does not identify as fundamental. These have a high degree of importance and are confidently emphasised by the church. Anyone who is a Christian should not reject them.Level 3: Beliefs that are Undoubtedly TrueBeliefs that the Bible teaches unambiguously, but which are not specifically identified as essential for salvation. These beliefs are beyond reasonable doubt, having a high level of evidence that they are true. The church speaks of them often and with conviction. Anyone who is a Christian should not reject them.Level 4: Beliefs that are Probably TrueThese beliefs are clearly taught in most but not all Scriptural passages on a particular topic. They are likely to be true on the balance of probabilities but not beyond reasonable doubt, because the evidence is not unanimous. The church with humility and honesty encourages people to hold these beliefs. It may be important for people in positions of leadership to hold these beliefs.Level 5: Beliefs that are Possibly TrueBeliefs are supported by a minority of passages which provide some grounds for people to hold these beliefs. These beliefs are less likely to be true on the balance of probabilities, because the evidence for an opposing belief is stronger. The church does not teach these beliefs but welcomes as Christians those who hold them.Level 6: Beliefs that are constructedThere is no New Testament p