unscriptural

Unscrp tural? No. The term unscriptural describes something that is not found in the scriptures or is regarded as not authorized by them. In religious discourse, it is used to categorize beliefs, practices, or interpretations that a particular tradition claims are contrary to canonical writings.

In Christian contexts, debates about doctrine, worship, and church practice often hinge on whether a claim is scriptural. Proponents of the principle of sola scriptura argue that scripture alone should determine doctrine and practice, and may label non-biblical elements as unscriptural. Conversely, traditions that affirm authority through church councils, creeds, or magisterial teaching may regard certain practices as permissible or necessary even if they are not expressly detailed in the Bible; they may view such items as not unscriptural, but not mandated by scripture either. The term thus functions as a normative judgment within debates over authority and interpretation.

The scope of what counts as scripture varies by denomination and historical moment. Questions about the canonicity, translation, historical context, and interpretation of biblical texts influence whether a claim is deemed unscriptural. Some discussions also involve apocryphal or deuterocanonical writings and the weight given to tradition alongside the Bible.

Critics warn that labeling something unscriptural can be used to policing orthodoxy or to exclude dissenting viewpoints. They emphasize that discernment often depends on broader hermeneutical methods, communal authority, and cultural context, not only on scriptural text alone.