Non-Biblical Concepts Used Inconsistently in Christian Culture
The New Testament frequently warns against "divers and strange doctrines" that deviate from the core teachings of Christianity [1, 3]. These warnings highlight the importance of adhering to a consistent understanding of Christian faith, distinguishing it from non-biblical concepts that might be inconsistently applied within Christian culture.
One such concept is the idea of being "unequally yoked." This phrase originates from Deuteronomy 22:10, which prohibits plowing with an ox and a donkey together, and Leviticus 19:19, which forbids mixing different kinds of cattle [2]. Paul applies this principle metaphorically in 2 Corinthians 6:14, stating, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" [2]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary explains that this imagery refers to being "yoked with one alien in spirit," extending beyond marriage to other close interactions with unbelievers [2]. John Gill notes that the prohibition against being "unequally yoked" is not merely about physical pairings but about spiritual incompatibility [2]. This concept is often applied in Christian culture primarily to marriage, but its biblical context suggests a broader application to any partnership where fundamental spiritual differences could compromise one's faith or practice [2].
Another area where non-biblical concepts can be inconsistently applied concerns "different gospels" or "another gospel." Paul addresses this directly in Galatians 1:6-7, expressing astonishment that some are "so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ" [4]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary clarifies that while Paul calls it a "gospel," it is not truly one, but rather a perversion of the singular Gospel of Christ [4]. This warning underscores that any teaching that deviates from the foundational message of Christ's grace, particularly by adding requirements for salvation such as adherence to the law, constitutes a "different gospel" [5]. In Christian culture, the term "gospel" is sometimes used loosely to describe various self-help or moralistic teachings, which can obscure the unique, grace-centered message of the biblical Gospel.
The concept of "meats" or dietary observances also illustrates how non-biblical ideas can infiltrate Christian practice. The author of Hebrews warns, "Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those who paid attention to them" [1]. This refers to Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats, and later ascetic practices that added restrictions on certain foods [1]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary notes that these practices were often introduced by "ascetic Judaizers" [1]. John Gill further explains that these "divers and strange doctrines" could refer to the various rites and ceremonies of the law or traditions of elders, contrasting them with the singular doctrine of the Scriptures [3]. The emphasis is on grace, not external observances, for spiritual establishment [1]. In Christian culture, similar tendencies can emerge, where specific dietary rules or other external practices are elevated to a level of spiritual significance not supported by New Testament teaching, potentially distracting from the core message of grace.
The New Testament consistently emphasizes the singularity and purity of the Christian message, warning against doctrines that are "divers and strange" [1, 3]. This includes teachings that introduce legalistic requirements, such as dietary laws, or that pervert the nature of the Gospel itself [1, 4]. The goal is for believers to be "established with grace," rather than being swayed by external observances or human traditions [1].
Sources
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:9: about--rather, as oldest manuscripts read, "carried aside"; namely, compare Eph 4:14. divers--differing from the one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ, as taught by them who had the rule over you (Heb 13:7). strange--foreign to the truth. doctrines--"teachings." established with grace; not with meats--not with observances of Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats, to which ascetic Judaizers added in Christian times the rejection of some meats, and the use of others: noticed also by Paul in Co1 8:8, Co1 8:13; Co1 6:13; Rom”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 6:14: Be not--Greek, "Become not." unequally yoked--"yoked with one alien in spirit." The image is from the symbolical precept of the law (Lev 19:19), "Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind"; or the precept (Deu 22:10), "Thou shalt not plough with an ox and an ass together." Compare Deu 7:3, forbidding marriages with the heathen; also Co1 7:39. The believer and unbeliever are utterly heterogeneous. Too close intercourse with unbelievers in other relations also is included (Co2 6:16; Co1 8:10; Co1 10:14). fellowship--literally, "”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines,.... The word "divers" may denote the variety and multitude of other doctrines; referring either to the various rites and ceremonies of the law, or to the traditions of the elders, or to the several doctrines of men, whether Jews or Gentiles; whereas the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ, and his apostles, is but one; it is uniform, and all of a piece; and so may likewise denote the disagreement of other doctrines with the perfections of God, the person and offices of Christ, the Scriptures of truth, the anal”
- Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 1:7: another--A distinct Greek word from that in Gal 1:6. Though I called it a gospel (Gal 1:6), it is not really so. There is really but one Gospel, and no other gospel. but--Translate, "Only that there are some that trouble you," &c. (Gal 5:10, Gal 5:12). All I meant by the "different gospel" was nothing but a perversion by "some" of the one Gospel of Christ. would pervert--Greek, "wish to pervert"; they could not really pervert the Gospel, though they could pervert Gospel professors (compare Gal 4:9, Gal 4:17, Gal 4:21; Gal 6:12-13; Col 2:18). Thou”
- Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 2:13: the other--Greek, "the rest." Jews--Jewish Christians. dissembled likewise--Greek, "joined in hypocrisy," namely, in living as though the law were necessary to justification, through fear of man, though they knew from God their Christian liberty of eating with Gentiles, and had availed themselves of it already (Acts 11:2-17). The case was distinct from that in 1Co. 8:1-10:33; Rom. 14:1-23. It was not a question of liberty, and of bearing with others' infirmities, but one affecting the essence of the Gospel, whether the Gentiles are to be virtual”