The essentials of Christianity are pretty clear and concise and simple to me. It’s about putting one’s trust and confidence in the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf; He did everything that was necessary for our salvation. All of our sin…past and present and future…has already been paid for by Him. Putting our trust and confidence in the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf..and NOTHING else…is where it’s at ~ for me anyway.
I don’t have to believe in the literal interpretation of the Genesis creation narrative (an example of a non-essential belief) to receive salvation. But I do have to believe in the Gospel (an essential belief) to receive salvation.
