Holiness codes
A view held among orthodox Christians
Written or unwritten rules of conduct, such as standards on dress, entertainment, or alcohol, that a church expects of its members beyond what Scripture explicitly commands.
Also called: holiness code, holiness standards
What it means
Many churches have standards for members' conduct. Some are moderate, such as a commitment not to drink alcohol for the sake of weaker brothers or a covenant about Sunday activities. Others are strict and detailed, covering hair length, dress, jewelry, music, television, and recreation, as in parts of the Holiness and Fundamentalist traditions.
Such standards often arise from real love for holiness and a desire to keep the church distinct from the world. Scripture does call Christians to modesty, sobriety, and separation from evil, and a church may wisely give counsel in matters of prudence.
The Westminster and 1689 confessions add an important guard: God alone is Lord of the conscience, and he has left it free from human doctrines and commandments that are contrary to or beyond his Word in matters of faith and worship. A church crosses that line when it treats its own rules as God's law, ranks members' holiness by them, or disciplines for them. The site records how strict a church's codes are so that you can weigh them.
In Scripture
Believers must not despise or judge one another over disputable matters.
Rules like do not handle, do not taste have an appearance of wisdom but do not restrain the flesh.
God calls his people to be holy in all their conduct, as he is holy.
Jesus rebukes those who teach human rules as though they were God's commands.
Christians must take care that their liberty does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
Where it comes up
Confessions: WCF 20.2; LBCF 1689 21.2
On this site: Holiness & assurance
Related terms
LegalismSerious error
Treating obedience to God's law, or to human rules, as the ground of a person's acceptance with God.
SanctificationHistoric orthodoxy
The lifelong work of God's grace by which believers are made more holy, dying to sin and living to righteousness.
Church disciplineHistoric orthodoxy
The church's loving correction of members and officers who persist in serious sin or false teaching, aimed at their repentance, the purity of the church, and the honour of Christ.