A-biblical or Unbiblical?

As Christians, we're not always very good at distinguishing between "Unbiblical" and "A-Biblical" things. 

Something is a-biblical if it is an issue not addressed in Scripture. The Internet, for example, is a-biblical. The Bible doesn't provide us black and white instructions regarding the use of the Internet. What we decide in a-biblical areas must depend on the principles we gain from Scripture that speaks in other areas. Ephesians 5:3 tells us that among us "there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality..." which certainly governs the ways we use the Internet. There are lots of passages in the Bible that give principles concerning our involvement in a-biblical things, but something is not unbiblical simply because it is not found in Scripture. 

Something is unbiblical if it directly contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture. Drunkenness is unbiblical. Adultery is unbiblical. Idolatry is unbiblical. 

I'm reading a book right now about parenting that speaks a lot about "unbiblical" approaches to parenting, like grounding your children. I respectfully disagree with that use of the term "unbiblical." Your specific disciplinary technique for raising children is an a-biblical practice. Failure to discipline your children would be unbiblical (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4). The author believes grounding your children is an unwise practice, and I might be inclined to agree; but I reject the idea that a parent who grounds their child is doing something unbiblical. I do not believe it is a sin to ground your child.

We like black and white. We like a list of the rules. It is easier to declare something unbiblical and be done with it, but that isn't the way wise living works. There are many things in our lives today, whether in raising children or picking out a shirt to wear for work, which are decisions for which the Bible does not give us black and white answers. In those areas we have to apply Biblical principles, use the brain God gave us, and ask Him for His perspective (James 1:5) to guide us as we go. But we must also resist the urge to make blanket statements about "unbiblical" things which in reality the Bible says nothing about.