What does antiscriptural mean?
Antiscriptural is an adjective used to describe ideas, teachings, or practices that stand in opposition to Scripture, most often the Christian Bible. It is stronger than the related term "unscriptural": where something unscriptural is simply absent from or unsupported by the Bible, something antiscriptural actively contradicts or defies its teachings. The word appears chiefly in formal theological contexts — doctrinal controversies, religious polemics, and historical accounts of schisms and reformations — where writers needed a precise label for beliefs deemed hostile to revealed truth. Formed from the prefix "anti-" combined with "scriptural," it belongs to a family of terms built around Latin-derived vocabulary for writing and sacred text. Though rare in everyday conversation, it remains useful in discussions of religious orthodoxy, offering a pointed way to characterize a doctrine as not merely unconventional but fundamentally at odds with scriptural authority.
adjectiveContrary to, or inconsistent with, the teachings of Scripture; opposed to what is written in the Bible or another sacred text.
- Contrary to or in opposition to the teachings of Scripture (especially the Christian Bible).
"The council condemned the preacher's antiscriptural interpretation of the resurrection."
"Critics dismissed the new sect's doctrines as antiscriptural and dangerous."
"In his treatise, the reformer argued that indulgences were not merely extra-biblical but wholly antiscriptural."
While 'unscriptural' just means a idea isn't in the Bible, 'antiscriptural' accuses it of fighting against Scripture outright — a distinction theologians have drawn for centuries.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of antiscriptural
Antiscriptural is formed from the prefix "anti-" (Greek, meaning "against") joined to "scriptural," which derives from "scripture" and ultimately from the Latin "scriptura" ("a writing"), from "scribere" ("to write"). The word arose in English religious discourse, likely by the early modern period, as theologians sought terminology to distinguish doctrines that opposed Scripture from those merely absent from it. It shares its root with words such as "scripture," "scribe," and "transcript," all tracing back to the same Latin verb for writing.
How antiscriptural is actually used
A formal, largely theological term found mainly in religious writing, sermons, and historical texts about doctrinal disputes. It carries a stronger, more accusatory connotation than "unscriptural," implying deliberate contradiction of Scripture rather than mere absence from it.
Easily confused with antiscriptural
"Unscriptural" simply means not found in or supported by Scripture, while "antiscriptural" implies active opposition to Scripture's teachings.