Bibliolatry: Worship/knowledge of the book MORE than the author

[St. SteVen]

Sorry. I read this stuff and still cant figure out how someone make a god from the Bible. The Bible is a book that speaks of Gods love , history of His people.His redemptive power and plan of redemption., the life of Christ and future events.

This topic is not to bash the Bible, but what SOME have done with it. Making their relationship with the book primary to their relationship with the author. And even using the book as a weapon against other believers.

I think the real reason folks say that the Bible can be worshiped are because they dont want to read it, and feel that since they can commune with the spirit constantly, it is not necessary.
So the bibliolatry term is born of this mindset.

Nonsense.

Every time I read my Bible I find something new, and this is not just me. Many time the Spirit will elaborate on verses we think we understand. We'll se something new. The folk thinking the Bible is less important than the thoughts channeled are missin' out.

Agree.

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[St. SteVen]

The Living word, who is Gods witness His Living Holy Spirit who is Alive in my spirit, the Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are Gods children...

What would you consider a misuse of the Bible?

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[Behold]

Thanks for the lecture. :)

Maybe we could talk sometime.

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If you view it as a lecture, then you need to see it differently.


As you came to my post, argued, and i only responded.

Its really that simple.

 

[Brakelite]

I can't see how it's possible for man to read the Scripture and not see the Love and yet the Wrath that God has promised unbelieving man.

It can only be one thing, some have ignored, just don't believe God when He says,

2 Thes. 1:7-9

"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;"

I would love to see how you harmonize the above scripture with eternal torment.

 

[Brakelite]

Thanks for your heart-warming post.

What I am seeing is MATURE believers opting for a relationship with a book AHEAD of a relationship with the author.
Those who are consumed with study, and getting it right, and debating the "facts", and putting other believers in their place.
Learning to use the book as a weapon to torment the Bride of Christ. What devilry is this?

If only...
what you are writing about maturity were the standard for Christian growth. That would be wonderful.

I don't think it's so black and white that we use the Bible as a weapon against others. I suppose I really can only speak for myself, but I like to think that I use the Bible to expose misconceptions concerning God's character. And that is the crux of the present discussion. The character of God is what ultimately must arbitrate our conclusions on doctrine. As @quietthinker was saying. Jesus was the express image of the Father. If one believes in eternal torment, one must picture Jesus as it's instigator, creator, and designer. If one believes in UR, the same thing applies. Also for annihilation. And what is the goal lying behind these 3 alternatives? Would it not be the future security of the universe? What alternative better serves that?

 

[Ritajanice]

What would you consider a misuse of the Bible?

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By leading oneself through it.

Without God’s Living witness His Living Holy Spirit who is our helper and guide in understanding Gods word in our spirit/ heart. Born Again = spiritual children of God.....

I mean they could say that about me.leading myself through the written word.


How about you?

 

[St. SteVen]

If one believes in eternal torment, one must picture Jesus as it's instigator, creator, and designer. If one believes in UR, the same thing applies. Also for annihilation. And what is the goal lying behind these 3 alternatives? Would it not be the future security of the universe? What alternative better serves that?

Exactly.
What was the reason for creating a vast universe and this gem of a planet with image-bearers of God, if the end is to lock the vast majority in unspeakable eternal torment, or to annihilate the vast majority in uncontrolled wrath? Unless the deity enjoyed harming his image-bearers (children), why would this be the case?

I imagine the end to match the beginning and the advent of Christ. The ultimate triumph of grace, mercy, restoration and redemption. That everything would be put right, rather than leave loss ends, or serious questions about motives. Can the "God" of Damnationism or annihilationism be trusted for all eternity? (age after age)

Interesting that God has put in our hearts the longing for a happy ending to any story. Would he put that desire there only to crush it in the end? Seems cruel and heartless. Not the God I know and love.

If someone's doctrine paints God in such ugly terms, something is terribly wrong. IMHO

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[Behold]

Exactly.
What was the reason for creating a vast universe and this gem of a planet with image-bearers of God, if the end is to lock the vast majority in unspeakable eternal torment,

God didnt created the Earth as "the final of it all"

Its a place where humans were created, and down here we are facing eternity.. subsequent to our Death.

So, the Born again dont need to be worrying about "down here", as "we of in the world but not OF IT"......unless you are not saved, and then in that case, you are OF the World.

God created for humans, a way to exist in Eternity with Him.,

The CROSS OF CHRIST

and those who choose to not Trust in Christ, have to be put somewhere., as they are not going to heaven.
And because they are this...>"You are of YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, and the LUSTS OF YOUR FATHER you will do"... then they are going to go here, after they die.

= "HELL was created for the Devil, and His Angels".. so those who are of THEIR FATHER THE DEVIL, will go THERE.

And those who are born again of our HEAVENLY FATHER, will go where HE IS.

Its really that simple.
Its "scholarship" that tries to confuse it.. Its THEOLOGY that tries to obtuse it and make what is very simple, seem so complex.

 

[Ritajanice]

Exactly.
What was the reason for creating a vast universe and this gem of a planet with image-bearers of God, if the end is to lock the vast majority in unspeakable eternal torment, or to annihilate the vast majority in uncontrolled wrath? Unless the deity enjoyed harming his image-bearers (children), why would this be the case?

I imagine the end to match the beginning and the advent of Christ. The ultimate triumph of grace, mercy, restoration and redemption. That everything would be put right, rather than leave loss ends, or serious questions about motives. Can the "God" of Damnationism or annihilationism be trusted for all eternity? (age after age)

Interesting that God has put in our hearts the longing for a happy ending to any story. Would he put that desire there only to crush it in the end? Seems cruel and heartless. Not the God I know and love.

If someone's doctrine paints God in such ugly terms, something is terribly wrong. IMHO

]

Food for thought there.

Thanks for sharing.

Forever learning aren’t we....Praise God.

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:
What would you consider a misuse of the Bible?

How about you?

What this topic is about.
Making the book their god, rather than the author.

Seeking only to see it as a divisive weapon to use against other believers, who they would consider
unbelievers simply because of a difference in understanding of the book. Thus supplanting love for each other
with rage against those outside their "tribe". Like what we typically see here on this "Christian" forum.
Which is the reason I am addressing such behavior. It does not please God. IMHO

The guilty rail against me as if I am the enemy for noticing the problem. (52 pages of evidence)

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[Ritajanice]

St. SteVen said:
What would you consider a misuse of the Bible?

What this topic is about.
Making the book their god, rather than the author.

Seeking only to see it as a divisive weapon to use against other believers, who they would consider
unbelievers simply because of a difference in understanding of the book. Thus supplanting love for each other
with rage against those outside their "tribe". Like what we typically see here on this "Christian" forum.
Which is the reason I am addressing such behavior. It does not please God. IMHO

The guilty rail against me as if I am the enemy for noticing the problem. (52 pages of evidence)

]

That’s a very interesting point..thank you.

 

[Michiah-Imla]

So you think this verse justifies the worship of a Book ?

You made that up.

I never said anything about worshipping any book.

But why do you turn reverence of the Bible into an act of worship?

It’s outrageous.

 

[Behold]

For me the Bible is like a divine yard stick with which we measure thoughts and feelings.

"The word of God endures forever".. Thats the Bible. And it'll be here leading people to the Saving Grace of God, with its words, by the power of the HOLY Spirit.... long after self righteous people who deny it, abuse it, ignore it, judge it, castigate it, are no longer here.

Paul says in Phil 2, that the scriptures are the "word of LIFE".

Heb 4:12 says the "word of God is ALIVE", and that is the BIBLE., and it is a living book that contains the living words of the Living God.

And one more..

The Gospel..........this is words.....spoken, that when believed, become this..

"The power of God, unto Salvation".

 

[BarneyFife]

If you view it as a lecture, then you need to see it differently.


As you came to my post, argued, and i only responded.

Its really that simple.

Of course

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[BarneyFife]

So you think this verse justifies the worship of a Book ?

What do you think the verse means?

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[CadyandZoe]

Some seem to elevate the book and credit it with Godly attributes - this then becomes spiritual idolatry.

Until this thread, I had never heard about this, and I am skeptical about the idea.

Underpining all of this must be a posture of humility when it comes to matters of Truth because His Ways are past finding out. We all have a measure of faith and never the full picture. So we should present what we have come to understand in humility and let Him do His work of bringing conviction of sin righteousness and judgement.

I agree with this. We should always allow the Holy Spirit to do his work.

Sadly this is often not the case on forums, when the hammer that shatters the rock is ours, not His, and the words spoil the harvest and fail to bring life.

Well, you and I can lead a good example. :)

 

[BarneyFife]

Nonsense.

She's not entirely wrong, Chum. :)

Many things are true in degrees and some people do prioritize experiential spirituality and spontaneous revelation over the written Word.

I've counseled many people who've sworn to me that God told them they should marry or co-habitate with people they should actually stay completely away from.

This might be considered an extreme example but I don't believe the devil limits his activity to only the most obvious or egregious deception, do you?

There is room for legitimate concern over a downplaying of the importance of written revelation. I believe Scripture can be highly revered, to a fault, even, without having to worry too much about the world turning into Hale Bopp gazers.

One of those ancient Greek dudes said that no belief system should be judged by it's abuse.


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[St. SteVen]

She's not entirely wrong, Chum. :)

Many things are true in degrees and some people do prioritize experiential spirituality and spontaneous revelation over the written Word.

I've counseled many people who've sworn to me that God told them they should marry or co-habitate with people they should actually stay completely away from.

This might be considered an extreme example but I don't believe the devil limits his activity to only the most obvious or egregious deception, do you?

There is room for legitimate concern over a downplaying of the importance of written revelation. I believe Scripture can be highly revered, to a fault, even, without having to worry too much about the world turning into Hale Bopp gazers.

One of those ancient Greek dudes said that no belief system should be judged by it's abuse.


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I agree in general. But let's look at the claim as quoted.

Cassandra said:
I think the real reason folks say that the Bible can be worshiped are because they dont want to read it, and feel that since they can commune with the spirit constantly, it is not necessary.
So the bibliolatry term is born of this mindset.
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I don't think we have established that... "the real reason folks say that the Bible can be worshiped are because they dont want to read it".

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[Carl Emerson]

You made that up.

I never said anything about worshipping any book.

But why do you turn reverence of the Bible into an act of worship?

It’s outrageous.

Friend, I asked you a question - and I agree with your answer. :)

 

[Carl Emerson]

What do you think the verse means?

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I gave my take in #1019...