Unscriptural - what does it mean?

[Esther Thompson]

As I see it, the Bible says that we are to compare spiritual things with spiritual.

1 Corinthians 2:13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Everyone thinks that their particular ideas about the Bible are 'scriptural'. But if they do not take the time to actually compare the different scriptures together in their search for truth then they will end up with a very lopsided view of the Bible.

You must not just go looking for verses that seem to support your view. You have to enter the study of the Bible prayerfully, setting aside your own preconceived notions.

 

[kyredneck]

James and paul agree,on Justification!

Yes, James and Paul agree on justification:

13 for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified: Ro 2

24 Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith. Jas 2

James point was once justified, we should show that off before men by our good works...

Wrong.

The 'works' to which James is referring:

27 Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. Ja 1
15 If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food,
16 and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? Ja 2

...are the very same works of which we're all going to be judged by in that day of judgement:

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;
36 naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink;
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Mt 25

This is most definitely NOT 'justification before men'. This justification is before the Supreme Judge. Synonymous with:

5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 who will render to every man according to his works:
13 for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified: Ro 2

 

[rlvaughn]

No, that is indeed scriptures, but your understanding would not be, as James and paul agree,on Justification!

Yes, James and Paul agree on justification...

I am supposing you two do not agree on the definition of the word "justification."

 

[kyredneck]

I am supposing you two do not agree on the definition of the word "justification."

Well, tell us something about it!

 

[rlvaughn]

That's for you and Yeshua1 to work out!

 

[kyredneck]

That's for you and Yeshua1 to work out!

Ah, definition of justification isn't the issue. Adding to the gospel is the issue.

Justification by faith - in accordance with scripture..

Justification by faith alone - NOT in accordance with scripture.

 

[Yeshua1]

I am supposing you two do not agree on the definition of the word "justification."

Paul is addressing us being justified before God, and James is saying that if we claim to be saved now, we should have fruit to evidence to others that we are really saved. Good works show now saved, not part of saving us...

 

[Yeshua1]

Ah, definition of justification isn't the issue. Adding to the gospel is the issue.

Justification by faith - in accordance with scripture..

Justification by faith alone - NOT in accordance with scripture.

that view of yours is what the reformation was all about, as a sinner can do NOTHING except receiving the finished work of Christ on their behalf to get right with God!

 

[kyredneck]

what the reformation was all about

The sola 'justification by faith alone' is an archaic anti-scriptural over-reaction to the errors of Rome on the part of the Reformers from five centuries ago. Why anyone who claims to be a student of the word would still parrot it is beyond me.

Conformed to the Reformed, I guess.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

So having just read the "User Agreement" of the BB we see a little bit of definition.

"Use discretion when posting. Not all topics are beneficial or edifying to the board. Topics and/or posts that would condone racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including but not limited to adultery, homosexuality, and pornography are strictly prohibited. In addition, topics and/or posts that seek to promote clearly unscriptural and controversial social and moral positions, such as abortion, are prohibited as well."

The words unscriptural and controversial seem to be connected in a way that make the term unscriptural related to a current socially acceptable way that Scripture is interpreted.

Rob

This is a good citation, since it deals with rules of the board, and brings out what is definitely disallowed here. However, I don't know that the connection used is applicable to everything one might or should consider unscriptural. Unscriptural or unbiblical can have much broader application, as many have already suggested.

You might also consider the terms extra-biblical, non-biblical, eisegetical. And then there's everyone's favorite method of interpretation, "preacher's license."

Since scriptural (or biblical) is generally used to mean what God’s Word teaches as right or true, there are actually many unscriptural things in the Bible, which is why context is so important.

I appreciate how John clued us in on how easy it is for believers to misinterpret. “Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” -John 21:23.

 

[Yeshua1]

The sola 'justification by faith alone' is an archaic anti-scriptural over-reaction to the errors of Rome on the part of the Reformers from five centuries ago. Why anyone who claims to be a student of the word would still parrot it is beyond me.

Conformed to the Reformed, I guess.

No, more like the Pauline Theology on Justification was same as the Reformers, and against that still held by Rome, saved bY Grace alone/faith alone, NO scriptures support otherwise!

 

[kyredneck]

No, more like the Pauline Theology on Justification was same as the Reformers, and against that still held by Rome, saved bY Grace alone/faith alone, NO scriptures support otherwise!

Provide scripture (lol, that'll be the day) that explicitly states that justification is by faith alone.

I've provided scripture that explicitly states that justification is NOT by faith alone.

C'mon tweetybird, give something other than your usual kneejerk tweets.

 

[Esther Thompson]

Doing good works simply means to keep the Law or you will not enter Heaven. It is what we are going to be judged by


Romans 2:13
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

James 2
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

Revelation 22
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

 

[Jim D]

1) The Bible command the action (Love your neighbor)

2) The Bible prohibits the action (Thou shall not murder)

3) The Bible gives suggestions (be not drunk with wine -Does not prohibit)

4) The Bible is silent ( should we use pianos in church }

( and please - DO not make these (and especially) #3 a debate issue - they are simply examples)

So here is my question - How would define Unscriptural?

Which of the above examples is an unScriptural action


Open for discussion

"Unscriptural" by dictionary definition would be simple. It means something that is against the teachings of the Bible. The problem with that is that so many people when making claims that the actions of a person or group are "unscriptural" will take a single verse or short text to "prove" a point rather than seek the truth about something within the context of the entire Bible. For example, the Bible talks about loving people and forgiving. It tells us that we are not to judge and it tells us not to worry about the speck in our own eye while we have a beam in our own. If we pick these things out to prove a point, one could say that to condemn a group of people who do something such as practice same-sex marriage or other things clearly forbidden in the Bible is "unscriptural".
We must be sure that we are not going to the Bible the way a defense attorney goes to his law books, trying to find a loop-hole to prove a point to get his client off. Instead, we are to accept it for what it says and then realize what is truly Scriptural. Anything that goes against that falls under the guidelines of unscriptural and the Holy Spirit will direct you to it if you ask.

 

[atpollard]

“Whenever the devil harasses you, seek the company of men or drink more, or joke and talk nonsense, or do some other merry thing. Sometimes we must drink more, sport, recreate ourselves, and even sin a little to spite the devil, so that we leave him no place for troubling our consciences with trifles. We are conquered if we try too conscientiously not to sin at all. So when the devil says to you: do not drink, answer him: I will drink, and right freely, just because you tell me not to.” - Martin Luther

Is this “unscriptural”?

 

[Jim D]

I would say that Luther's logic is flawed. "Sometimes we must drink more, sport, recreate ourselves, and even sin a little to spite the devil, so that we leave him no place for troubling our consciences with trifles." What he says here, if I am reading correctly, is to beat the devil to the punch and do something wrong first. We read a number of times in Scripture about how to be prepared for our fight against Satan and none of them even begin to suggest sinning first in order to get a jump on the devil. If anything, we are told to be armed and ready for the lifelong battle against him. Paul makes this abundantly clear in Ephesians 6:11-17, "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"

 

[Esther Thompson]

“Whenever the devil harasses you, seek the company of men or drink more, or joke and talk nonsense, or do some other merry thing. Sometimes we must drink more, sport, recreate ourselves, and even sin a little to spite the devil, so that we leave him no place for troubling our consciences with trifles. We are conquered if we try too conscientiously not to sin at all. So when the devil says to you: do not drink, answer him: I will drink, and right freely, just because you tell me not to.” - Martin Luther

Is this “unscriptural”?

 

[Esther Thompson]

Do you even have to ask?

 

[robycop3]

I, too, am guilty at times of not properly differentiating between "unscriptural" & "non-Scriptural".

 

[Aaron]

What are you saying? The book of James is not scripture?

24 Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith. Ja 2

This is not scripture?

What does it mean to be justified?