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Uncover eight widely held Christian beliefs that aren’t directly grounded in Scripture. Challenge your theological assumptions and gain a clearer understanding of what the Bible actually teaches. From heaven and divine plans to judgment and hell, get the biblical perspective.

(1) The Notion That the Redeemed Go to “Heaven“: Many people believe that righteous souls will end up in “heaven,” a spiritual realm. However, the Bible doesn’t explicitly say that human souls go to heaven upon death. The concept appears to be a later theological development, particularly popularized in the Middle Ages.

(2) The Belief in a Personal Divine Plan: The Bible doesn’t consistently speak of individualized, divine plans for each person. While Jeremiah 29:11 mentions “plans,” this is in the context of God’s plan for Israel and foretells the coming of the Messiah.

(3) The Misquote “Money is the Root of All Evil“: The Bible actually says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” (1 Timothy 6:10). Money itself isn’t inherently evil; it’s the love or idolization of it that poses the problem.

(4) The Idea That God Wants You to Be Happy: While happiness is important, the Bible places a higher emphasis on holiness. 1 Peter 1:16 states, “You shall be holy, for I am holy,” signifying that moral integrity is prioritized over personal happiness.

(5) The Concept “Judge Not Lest You Be Judged“: While Christians are instructed not to judge outsiders, they are expected to assess the actions of fellow believers for mutual edification and correction (1 Corinthians 5:12-13). Ultimate judgment about eternal life, however, is reserved for Christ alone.

(6) The Classification of Seven Deadly Sins: While the Bible does discuss various sins, it doesn’t categorize them into “deadly” or “minor” sins. Any sin separates us from God and requires repentance.

(7) The Idea That Satan Rules Hell: The concept of Satan dwelling in hell is not found in the Bible. In Hebrew and Greek, the terms “Sheol” and “Hades” refer to the general grave or realm of the dead, not a fiery pit ruled by Satan. Gehenna, a term used for the ultimate destruction of the wicked, was originally a physical location used for burning trash and remains.

(8) The Belief That Demons Torment People in Hell: Scripture does not assert that demons will torture souls in hell. Again, “Sheol” and “Hades” refer to the grave or the abode of the deceased. “Gehenna,” used in the context of final judgment, was a garbage dump outside Jerusalem where refuse was incinerated, symbolizing destruction rather than eternal torment.

(9) “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves.” This statement is not found in the Bible. It more accurately reflects a deistic or Pelagian worldview, emphasizing human self-sufficiency, rather than the biblical notion of reliance on God’s grace.

(10) “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child.” While the concept of discipline is found in the Bible (Proverbs 13:24), this exact phrase doesn’t appear. Additionally, the purpose of discipline in Scripture is instructive and restorative, not punitive.

(11) “Cleanliness is Next to Godliness.” This phrase is often quoted as if it’s a biblical principle, but it’s not in the Scriptures. The focus in the Bible is on internal purity rather than external cleanliness (Matthew 23:25-26).

(12) “Purgatory.” The concept of a purgatorial state where souls are cleansed before entering heaven is not explicitly taught in the Bible. This idea is more rooted in medieval theology and various church traditions.

(13) “The Eye of a Needle.” The saying that it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God is in the Bible (Matthew 19:24). However, the erroneous belief that “the eye of the needle” was a small gate in Jerusalem where camels had to unload is not supported by archaeological or textual evidence.

(14) “Immaculate Conception.” This term is often used to describe the virgin birth of Jesus, but it actually refers to the Roman Catholic doctrine concerning the conception of Mary without original sin, a doctrine not found in the Bible.

(15) “The Rapture.” While the idea of believers being caught up with Christ is present (1 Thessalonians 4:17), the term “Rapture” and the detailed end-time scenario often associated with it are not explicitly outlined in Scripture. The word “rapture” does not occur in the Word of God.

(16) “Three Wise Men.” The Bible does not specify the number of magi who visited Jesus. Matthew 2 simply states that “wise men from the east” came, but doesn’t enumerate them.

(17) “Personal Relationship with Jesus.” While the New Testament speaks volumes about faith in Christ and walking in His ways, the specific phrase “personal relationship with Jesus” is not used in the Bible.

(18) “God Will Never Give You More Than You Can Handle.” While a comforting thought, this exact phrase is not found in the Bible. It seems to be a misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which says God provides a way to endure temptation.

(19) “Soulmates.” The idea that each person has one perfect mate chosen by God isn’t found in Scripture. While marriage is held in high regard, the concept of “the one” is not biblical.

(20) “Guardian Angels.” While angels do appear throughout the Bible and are said to be “ministering spirits” (Hebrews 1:14), the idea that each individual has a personal guardian angel doesn’t find explicit support in Scripture.

Each of these points reveals how certain beliefs, though commonly held, aren’t directly supported by a straightforward reading of the biblical text.

The Importance of Accurate Know—Epignosis

Paul, the apostle who penned much of the New Testament, frequently emphasized the importance of acquiring “accurate knowledge,” known in Greek as “epignosis,” rather than just “knowledge,” or “gnosis.” Paul’s emphasis on acquiring “accurate knowledge” (Gr. epignosis) over mere “knowledge” (Gr. gnosis) underscores the necessity of possessing an understanding that is both precise and profound. The Greek term “epignosis” implies a more complete, exact, and connected kind of knowledge than does the term “gnosis.” This isn’t mere informational knowledge but knowledge that has a transforming effect on the individual. Paul employs this term no less than 21 times in his epistles, highlighting the imperative of understanding the Scriptures not just on a superficial level, but on an intricate, detailed level as well. The apostle’s insistence on “epignosis” reflects the gravity of comprehending Scripture as it is, not as we might wish it to be or assume it to be.

This meticulous care for the quality of our knowledge has significant implications for how Christians engage with beliefs and doctrines. First and foremost, our guiding principle should be the faithful communication of God’s Word. It is not our personal feelings, thoughts, or beliefs that must be conveyed, but rather what is rooted in the Scriptures. To misrepresent or dilute Scripture with human opinions is to risk obscuring the transformative power of God’s Word.

Sharing what the Bible authors actually wrote is crucial, but equally important is conveying what the authors meant by the words they used. This requires an understanding of the historical, cultural, and linguistic context in which the Bible was written. This is where the objective Historical-Grammatical method of interpretation comes in, giving us a framework to faithfully interpret the text. We must seek to understand Scripture in the way the original audience would have understood it, taking into account factors like idioms, hyperbole, and figurative and symbolic language.

The quest for “accurate knowledge” aligns well with the objective Historical-Grammatical method of interpretation, which stresses the importance of ascertaining what the original authors intended to convey. This approach involves examining the historical background, the grammatical structure, and the specific words used in the text. In doing so, the interpreter aims to extract the meaning that the original authors embedded in their writings, and not to impose contemporary or anachronistic understandings onto the text.

When it comes to sharing God’s Word, it is paramount to communicate not what we feel, think, or believe, but rather what the Scriptures actually say and mean. In this regard, it’s essential to convey what the original authors intended, for only then can we be sure that we are aligned with divine inspiration. We must take great care to share not only what is “biblically accurate” in a general sense but also what accurately reflects the intention of the original authors. This ensures that our message is not just “biblical” in a vague, generalized way but is rooted firmly in the specific, God-breathed revelations given in the text of Scripture.

Once this rigorous, text-based analysis is complete, and we’ve established what the author meant by the words that he used, we can then relate it to Christian beliefs. Any belief not found explicitly in the Bible should undergo the same rigorous examination. Before sharing any such belief, it must meet two criteria: (1) it must be biblically accurate, consistent with the entirety of Scriptural revelation, and (2) it must align with what the original authors intended by the words they used. In this way, we respect both the divine and human aspects of Scripture, recognizing it as the Word of God given in the words of men.

By adhering to these principles, we minimize the risk of promoting erroneous beliefs or theological novelties that lack Scriptural basis. We ensure that what we share aligns with the apostolic faith once delivered to the saints, a faith rooted in a precise, comprehensive understanding of God’s Word. Therefore, articles like “Christian Beliefs That Aren’t Found In the Bible” are crucial in sparking this necessary dialogue, serving as a call to the Christian community to hold its beliefs up to the light of “accurate knowledge” in Scripture.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).