According to the Protestant theory of
adiaphorism:
a tolerance of conduct or beliefs not specifically forbidden in the Scriptures.
that which is not specifically prohibited in Scripture is permissible.
However, it seems that there are also some Protestant denominations who proclaim that if it’s not mentioned in Scripture (i.e. music in worship services), then it is forbidden.
Thus, it would seem that the prohibition/permission of is based, then, not on Scripture but on the opinion/man-made tradition of each individual church/denomination/pastor.
Thoughts?
Actually that is a Lutheran term continued"
10 We believe, teach, and confess that at a time of confession, as when enemies of the Word of God desire to suppress the pure doctrine of the holy Gospel, the entire community of God, yes, every individual Christian, and especially the ministers of the Word as the leaders3 of the community of God, are obligated to confess openly, not only by words but also through their deeds and actions, the true doctrine and all that pertains to it, according to the Word of God. In such a case we should not yield to adversaries even in matters of indifference, nor should we tolerate the imposition of such ceremonies on us by adversaries in order to undermine the genuine worship of God and to introduce and confirm their idolatry by force or chicanery. 11 It is written, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1). And again, “But because of false brethren secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, (tr-1057) that they might bring us into bondage: to whom we did not yield submission even for a moment, that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you” (Gal. 2:4, 5). 12 Paul is here speaking of circumcision, which at that time was a matter of indifference4 and which in his Christian liberty he employed in other instances (Acts 16:3). But when false prophets demanded circumcision and abused it to confirm their false doctrine that the works of the law are necessary for righteousness and salvation, Paul said that he would not yield, not even for a moment, so that the truth of the Gospel might be preserved.5 13 Thus Paul yielded and gave in to the weak as far as foods, times, and days were concerned (Rom 14:6). But he would not yield to false apostles who wanted to impose such things on consciences as necessary, even in matters that were in themselves indifferent. “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath” (Col. 2:16). When Peter and Barnabas in a similar situation yielded to a certain extent, Paul criticized them publicly because they had not been straightforward about the truth of the Gospel (Gal. 2:14).
14 For here we are no longer dealing with the external adiaphora which in their nature and essence are and remain of themselves free and which accordingly are not subject either to a command or a prohibition, requiring us to use them or to discontinue them. Here we are dealing primarily with the chief article of our Christian faith, so that, as the apostle testifies, the truth of the Gospel might be preserved (Gal. 2:5). Any coercion or commandment darkens and perverts this article because the adversaries will forthwith publicly demand such matters of indifference to confirm false doctrines, superstition, and idolatry and to suppress the pure doctrine and Christian liberty, or they will misuse them and misinterpret them in this direction.
15 At the same time this concerns the article of Christian liberty as well, an article which the Holy Spirit through the mouth of the holy apostle so seriously commanded the church to preserve, as we have just heard. As soon as this article is weakened and human commandments are forcibly imposed on the church as necessary and as though their omission were wrong and sinful, the door has been opened to idolatry, and ultimately the commandments of men will be increased and be put as divine worship not only on a par with God’s commandments, but even above them.
16 Hence yielding or conforming in external things, where Christian agreement in doctrine has not previously been achieved, will support the idolaters in their idolatry, and on the other hand, it will sadden and scandalize true believers and weaken them in their faith. As he values his soul’s welfare and salvation, every Christian is obligated to avoid both, as it is written, “Woe to the world for temptations to sin,”6 and again, “Whoever causes (tr-1059) one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it were better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”7 17 We are to be particularly mindful that Christ says, “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32).
18 The following testimonies drawn from the Smalcald Articles, which were drafted and adopted in 1537, show that this has consistently been the conviction and the confession of the chief teachers of the Augsburg Confession concerning such matters of indifference, and we who are walking in their footsteps intend by the grace of God to abide by this their confession.
Sounds like a dangerous proposition to me.