Can the Bible be a false idol?

[Sword-In-Hand]

Before anyone starts, this is not a KJO debate.:P

At church camp we used to recite this phrase. "This is my Bible, God's holy word. I will learn it, I will love it, and I will live it."

While reciting this phrase, I never thought much about it. But lately I've been wondering if it is possible to put God's word above God Himself?

What you ya'll think?

[christian73]

That's an interesting question. I really haven't thought about it. We are to place our faith in the message of the Book, not the Book itself.

[ghs1994]

Before anyone starts, this is not a KJO debate.:P

At church camp we used to recite this phrase. "This is my Bible, God's holy word. I will learn it, I will love it, and I will live it."

While reciting this phrase, I never thought much about it. But lately I've been wondering if it is possible to put God's word above God Himself?

What you ya'll think?

Hmmm...maybe take this a step further?

What if there was no Word? Would we know God?

We know Him by His Word don't we? Or are there other ways we can know Him without His Word?

Answer those questions and I think you'll find your answer.

[sgrimsley]

Hmmm...maybe take this a step further?

What if there was no Word? Would we know God?

We know Him by His Word don't we? Or are there other ways we can know Him without His Word?

Answer those questions and I think you'll find your answer.
I think that's a good way to take it further. I think our personal relationship is very important, but we still need the Bible. I think that God will find a way to speak to you in a way that you need to feel the Spirit. For example, God answers my prayers with clear signs. I know this sounds strange, but I think I really needed Him to do this to have unconditional faith. And since, I have given myself over completely to Him and trust Him to guide me in whatever direction He sees fit. But I don't think it's really possible to put God's word above God, it just makes our God a greater God because He left us a handbook for living. God Bless!

[Seeker of the Truth]

In the first chapter of John, you can find,
1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

And then, "14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us... "

So, I don't think so

[MrJim]

Hmmm...maybe take this a step further?

What if there was no Word? Would we know God?

We know Him by His Word don't we? Or are there other ways we can know Him without His Word?

Answer those questions and I think you'll find your answer.

Guess we'd still be passing alot of stuff through oral tradition, like the early church did via apostolic authority...they didn't have a "bible" per se, just some letters floating around and a lot of oral teachings passed down one from another.

Not much different from someone illiterate...consider that they cannot read, just listen, no idea if person is reading it correctly or not for them, but rather trusting the teacher/pastor.

[christian73]

That's a good point, Menno. Here's a thought....

Do you think we take the Bible forgranted?

[MrJim]

That's a good point, Menno. Here's a thought....

Do you think we take the Bible forgranted?

Mea Culpa

I never once ever think I can't have one when I want it...considering the plight of the brothers & sisters across the world I guess that would be taking it for granted.

And there's another angle...sometimes I think I know a passage so well that I don't really need to look at it again...that's definitely taking it for granted and a form of spiritual arrogance in my case.

[HypoTypoSis]

I've been wondering if it is possible to put God's word above God Himself?


Absolutely! It happens all the time. A prime example is studying and debating beliefs in favor of submitting oneself to Jesus and humbly living a life for Him.

[MrJim]

Absolutely! It happens all the time. A prime example is studying and debating beliefs in favor of submitting oneself to Jesus and humbly living a life for Him.

Spot on, right on the nose answer...

[mont974x4]

The Bible itself as an idol? No, I don't think so.

However, as Hypo said, the study and discussion etc of it can be an idol, just as anything else can become an idol. Even service can be an idol, I am reminded of the song, "I'm coming back to the heart of worship".

[mont974x4]

Taken for granted? The list of things western Christians take for granted is too long to post.

We take it for granted that the people preaching and teaching us know what they are talking about. We assume they haven't made their service an idol or a work without faith.

We take it for granted that they quote aqnd divide the Word correctly and don;t read for ourselves...we become biblically illiterate.

We take our freedom for granted when people would give anything to have a whole chapter of a book from the Bible when we have 4 different hardcopies and the internet and software versions.

and on and on it goes

[CooL_Genesis]

:amen: Mont!

[Jim1927]

Karl Barth once wrote, "The Bible becomes the word of God as we experience the Word (Jesus Christ)." Up to that point they are just words.

In this sense we can worship it, but only because we have experienced the Lord through His Word.

Reminds me of that gospel song we used to sing:

He lives within my heart....

But how do we know He lives? The very word of God tells us that He lives...We can only experience what we can know...We cannot trust fickle emotions.

Cheers,

Jim

[christian73]

Taken for granted? The list of things western Christians take for granted is too long to post.

We take it for granted that the people preaching and teaching us know what they are talking about. We assume they haven't made their service an idol or a work without faith.

We take it for granted that they quote aqnd divide the Word correctly and don;t read for ourselves...we become biblically illiterate.

We take our freedom for granted when people would give anything to have a whole chapter of a book from the Bible when we have 4 different hardcopies and the internet and software versions.

and on and on it goes
I agree wholeheartedly. I firmly believe that we as christians should read for ourselves and determine whether the pastors and Sunday School teachers are telling us right. I'm just as guilty as the next person. Great point, mont!

[jsimms615]

Yes, I think that anything including the Bible can become any idol. Most people aren't in any danger of it becoming that though. Unless it is to dust bunnies.

Having said that, there are usually two dangers in the christian walk. One is legalism or the idea that you must try and be good enough that God would take you to heaven on your own merit. The other is apathy. We can get so comfortable with grace that we take it for granted and don't commit ourselves to grow closer to God.

J

[JPPT1974]

We need to be careful with how
We use the Bible and not use the
Bible as an idol
Use the Bible as God's word by Him and for Him!
Not use it just to read it.