‘Woke’ and the problem with ‘that’s not in the Bible’ arguments

There are a great many things not specifically mentioned in scripture, says Jonty Langley. So using it as a defence against any idea you don’t like might leave you on shaky ground

Ah, the old ‘that’s not in the Bible’ chestnut. You must have heard it - or a version of it. A butterfly of an argument, flitting from comment section to online forum, self-published discernment manual to red-faced homegroup debate. Like a butterfly, it’s attractive and quick, and even impressive (if you prefer your colours bright and your thinking pre-chewed), but it lacks weight.

‘Christians should discount / reject / distrust this thing because it is not in the Bible’ comes up these days, as it often has done in the past, when discussing progress, progressivism and, usually, anything liberal. The accusation of being non-biblical is currently being thrown at all things ‘woke’.