What We Believe
The teaching and ministry of 180 Perspective are grounded in Scripture, centered on Jesus Christ, and intended to serve and strengthen the local church.
The Beliefs That Shape Our Ministry
180 Perspective is an evangelical Christian teaching ministry. These statements summarize the biblical beliefs that shape our teaching, writing, speaking, and community events. They are not intended to address every area of doctrine or replace the doctrinal statement of a local church.
Scripture
We believe the Bible, consisting of both Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God and the final authority for Christian faith, doctrine, and life.
Key Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21
God
We believe in one true and living God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—equal in divine nature and glory and worthy of worship.
Key Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived without sin, died on the cross for our sins, rose bodily from the dead, ascended to the Father, and will return personally and visibly.
Key Scriptures: John 1:1–18; Colossians 1:15–20; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8; Acts 1:9–11
Humanity and Sin
We believe every person is created in the image of God, possesses God-given value, and was created to live within His design and purpose. Sin is living outside that design and purpose. Distorted understandings of God, ourselves, others, and life lead us to live from what is not true and to act in ways that do not express the life for which we were created. Every person needs the restoration and new life God provides in Jesus Christ.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 1:26–28; Genesis 3:1–7; Romans 1:21–25; Romans 3:23
Salvation
We believe salvation is God’s gift of grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. Repentance is a turning of the mind and direction: recognizing that the path we have been following lies outside God’s design and turning toward Christ and the life found in Him. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, believers are forgiven, reconciled to God, and made new. Salvation cannot be earned through human merit, religious performance, or improved behavior. It is received through faith.
Key Scriptures: Mark 1:14–15; Acts 26:18–20; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21; Ephesians 2:8–10
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is fully God and lives within every believer. He gives spiritual life and reveals Jesus Christ. He brings conviction, helps believers understand Scripture, and guides and empowers them as they learn to live from who they already are in Christ.
Key Scriptures: John 14:16–17, 26; John 16:7–15; Romans 8:9–17; 1 Corinthians 2:12–16
New Life in Christ
We believe that when a person places their faith in Jesus Christ, they become a new creation in Him. This happens the moment they believe. Their new identity is not something they gradually produce through spiritual effort, increased biblical knowledge, or improved behavior. Their standing before God is settled in Christ, but they may not yet understand who they have become.
Past experiences, learned patterns, and distorted perceptions may still shape how believers see God, themselves, other people, and life. As they read Scripture and come to a better understanding of who they already are in Christ, their self-image is renewed and brought into agreement with their true identity.
Christian growth is not becoming more fully a new creation. It is learning to see themselves according to what God has already made true in Christ and to live within His design and purpose.
Key Scriptures: Romans 6:6–11; Romans 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:20–24; Colossians 3:1–10
The Church
We believe the church is the body of Christ, composed of all who belong to Him. Believers gather in local churches to worship, learn from Scripture, pray together, share life, care for one another, and take part in Christ’s work in the world.
Key Scriptures: Acts 2:42–47; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians 4:11–16; Hebrews 10:24–25
Christ’s Return and Eternal Hope
We believe Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly and will be revealed in His glory. The dead will be raised. Those who enter into life through faith in Christ will live forever in God’s presence. Those who remain outside the life God offers through Christ will be eternally separated from His presence.
Key Scriptures: Acts 1:9–11; 1 Corinthians 15:20–28, 50–58; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 20:11–15; Revelation 21:1–5
Serving and Strengthening the Local Church
These beliefs shape everything we teach through 180 Perspective. Our community events are not intended to replace the local church or build another church around this ministry. We want to open Scripture faithfully, keep Jesus Christ central, and help believers return to their churches with a clearer understanding of who God is, who they are in Christ, and how to live from that reality.
Questions About Our Teaching?
If you are a pastor or ministry leader and have questions about what we believe, what we teach, or how our community events are intended to serve local churches, you are welcome to contact Dr. Steven E. Goodenough directly.