The term “adiaphora” comes from the Greek word ἀδιάφορα (adiaphora) which means “indifferent things”. In Christian theology, adiaphora refers to matters not regarded as essential to faith, but nevertheless as permissible for Christians or allowed in church. There are two main meanings:
1. Things neither explicitly commanded nor forbidden in Scripture. Adiaphora are matters of indifference, concerning which God has not commanded us to do one way or the other. Examples include eating meat sacrificed to idols, monogamy versus polygamy, and celebrating holidays such as Christmas or Easter. Christians are free to use their sanctified wisdom to decide on what to do or not do concerning adiaphora according to the guidance of Scripture, conscience, reason, and the Holy Spirit.
2. Areas of agreement in the church where differences in tradition exist but unity in Christ is maintained. An example is whether to use leavened or unleavened bread in the Lord’s Supper. As Paul wrote concerning food offered to idols in 1 Corinthians 8:8, “Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.”
The concept of adiaphora was first formulated by Stoic philosophers to refer to things neither morally good nor bad. The principle of adiaphora was picked up by some in the early church, such as Clement of Alexandria.
However, controversy erupted in the 16th century between the Lutheran and Reformed branches of the Protestant Reformation over whether certain religious practices not commanded in Scripture could be considered adiaphora and thus optional, or whether they should be mandatory. This major disagreement stemmed from differences in the theology of grace and how justification is received.
Martin Luther and his Lutheran followers took a position of limiting adiaphora only to things not commanded or forbidden in Scripture. They believed that those things necessary for salvation must be mandated by Scripture alone through sola scriptura. Anything added beyond the Bible was considered legalistic and opposed to the doctrine of justification by faith alone.
In contrast, Reformed Christians such as John Calvin allowed for the designation of certain extra-biblical practices and liturgies as adiaphora. They argued that indifferent matters are not necessarily prohibited, but rather can be helpful customs and ceremonies that preserve good order in the church. These include things like church polity, liturgy, holidays, and certain ceremonial practices not forbidden in Scripture.
The disagreement over adiaphora was at the heart of the famous Leipzig Debate in 1519 between Luther and Johann Eck. Eck accused Luther of the heresy of rejecting things like Mass vestments and church music as adiaphora. Luther insisted all such things added by tradition detracted from faith in Christ alone.
The Concord Book of 1580 settled the controversy between Lutheran and Reformed branches of the church. It maintained Luther’s position that indifferent things must be limited only to those neither commanded nor forbidden by Scripture. Anything non-essential that is added to faith distracts from Christ. But the Concord also stated that adiaphora such as church customs and ceremonies could be observed freely as long as it is not mandated as necessary for salvation.
Here are some key biblical passages on understanding adiaphora:
Romans 14:1-12 – Receiving those weak in faith without quarreling over opinions.
1 Corinthians 8:1-13 – Paul’s teaching on food sacrificed to idols – a clear example of adiaphora.
1 Corinthians 10:23-33 – Whether to eat food offered to idols – all to God’s glory.
Ephesians 5:6-10 – Living not as unwise but wise, understanding what the will of the Lord is.
1 Timothy 4:1-5 – Rejecting those who forbid certain foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:16-17 – Not judging with regard to food and festivals – a shadow of Christ.
Colossians 2:20-23 – Not subjecting oneself to decrees about foods and drinks – but focused on Christ.
Hebrews 13:9 – Strengthened by grace, not foods – those don’t benefit from them.
Overall, the principle of adiaphora provides guidance to Christians on navigating matters not directly addressed in Scripture. Where the Bible is silent, believers must use Spirit-led wisdom, acting in love and faith to make choices glorifying to God concerning genuinely indifferent things. But they should take care not to mandate as necessary anything that God’s Word has not.
At the same time, Christians should remember that all matters of conscience and individual freedoms must operate within the Lordship of Jesus Christ. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:12, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything.” While adiaphora provides freedom in Christ, it should not be abused as a license to sin.
In disputable matters, Paul urges accepting one another as Christ accepted us – to the glory of God. Unity and love in the church should be prioritized over insisting on one’s own way regarding adiaphora. As Christians, we remember our primary calling is to exalt Jesus Christ as Lord and grow in His grace – not quarrel over opinions about indifferent things.
So adiaphora matters demonstrate that the Christian life cannot be reduced to simply following rules or rituals. Rather, it involves mature wisdom in seeking discernment from God’s Word and Spirit on both commanded matters of biblical obedience and areas of freedom for conscience. The principle of adiaphora reminds believers to focus on God’s grace in Christ above all else – not human traditions, regulations or personal preferences on negotiable issues.
