Here’s a question that might challenge your beliefs: What if something can be biblical but not Christlike? Realizing this difference changed how I read scripture, how I think about church teaching, and what it means to follow Jesus.

The truth is, the Bible includes many things that don’t reflect Jesus.

1. “Biblical” Just Means “It’s in the Bible”

Let’s clarify what “biblical” means. If something is in the Bible, it’s biblical. That’s all it takes.

Slavery is biblical. It’s regulated in Exodus, discussed in Leviticus, and addressed by Paul. The Bible never explicitly condemns slavery.

The subjugation of women is also biblical. Women are treated as property, not allowed to teach, and blamed for the fall. It’s all in there.

Genocide is in the Bible too. God tells the Israelites to destroy entire groups of people in the conquest stories.

These things are clearly biblical because they’re in scripture. But are they Christlike?

2. Christlike Is the Actual Standard

This is where things change. Jesus never owned slaves. He lifted up women and welcomed them into his ministry in bold ways. He taught us to love our enemies, not destroy them.

When we call something Christlike, we compare it to how Jesus lived, what he taught, and who he was. Does it match the Jesus who ate with outcasts, touched lepers, and said the greatest commandment is love?

That’s why I look at everything through the lens of Jesus, not just the whole Bible, but Jesus himself.

3. The Bible Points to Jesus, But Isn’t Jesus

The Bible is made up of many texts, written over thousands of years by different people in different times and places. It includes poetry, history, laws, prophecies, letters, and visions.

And it points to Jesus.

But the Bible isn’t Jesus. Jesus is the Word who became human, not just words on a page. The scriptures point to him, but they are not him.

This means we can admit that some parts of the Bible reflect their own time and culture, without throwing out the Bible. We can see that some biblical practices don’t fit with what Jesus taught, and still keep our faith.

4. We Must Apply This Practically

If someone uses Leviticus to condemn LGBTQ people, ask yourself: Is that Christlike? Did Jesus ever talk about this? Does it fit with his command to love our neighbors?

If someone uses Ephesians to support strict gender roles, ask: Is that Christlike? How did Jesus treat women?

If someone uses scripture to justify exclusion, judgment, or harm, ask: Is that Christlike?

Being biblical isn’t enough. We need to be Christlike.

Following Jesus means living like him, not just quoting a book about him.