Should free Bibles be given to non-Christians?

[Andrewn]

I posted this in a "Christians Only" forum because the idea is not to incite Bible bashing. We, Christians, love the Bible and frequently give Bibles to non-Christians. The Gideons have done this for decades. Is this the right approach? Or are non-Christians likely to misunderstand and reject the Bible based on that misunderstanding?

 

[Unqualified]

Yes. And half get saved? Pretty good!

 

[Andrewn]

Yes. And half get saved? Pretty good!

This is unbelievable. Half of the non-Christians who receive a free Bible get saved! If this were true, I'd start distributing free Bibles tomorrow. It would be a crime not to do this.

Do you have a reference?

 

[Diamond72]

are non-Christians likely to misunderstand and reject the Bible based on that misunderstanding?

I was given an NT and I read Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. Then strange things began in my life. People would say Satan was attacking me. So I walked away from it. People need to attend a church where they can get help with their struggles. Just giving them a Bible with no support is not good enough. The person who gave me the Bible asked if I had read it and if I had any questions. I could not think of any. If I knew how to ask he could have maybe helped me with the issue.

 

[Andrewn]

I was given an NT and I read Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

I am against giving a Bible with the OT to non-Christians. But you and your friend did the right thing by starting with the Gospels. Even though reading them did not lead you to believe, perhaps it implanted a seed in your soul.

Then strange things began in my life. People would say Satan was attacking me. So I walked away from it.

This is too bad. I wonder what kind of impressions you got from reading the Gospels.

People need to attend a church where they can get help with their struggles. Just giving them a Bible with no support is not good enough.

How did you decide to attend a church, and who in the church helped with your struggles: the pastor or small Bible studies?

The person who gave me the Bible asked if I had read it and if I had any questions. I could not think of any. If I knew how to ask he could have maybe helped me with the issue.

I wonder why you were not interested in asking him questions about the Gospels or your struggles. Was it because you did not have a positive impression of the Bible as in post #1?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

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I posted this in a "Christians Only" forum because the idea is not to incite Bible bashing. We, Christians, love the Bible and frequently give Bibles to non-Christians. The Gideons have done this for decades. Is this the right approach? Or are non-Christians likely to misunderstand and reject the Bible based on that misunderstanding?

Well, this is part of the problem maybe. Since church in general is an exclusionary institution .. those who see the good side of the bible may avoid churches altogether.

Giving out bibles is not a bad thing.

 

[Strong in Him]

I posted this in a "Christians Only" forum because the idea is not to incite Bible bashing. We, Christians, love the Bible and frequently give Bibles to non-Christians. The Gideons have done this for decades. Is this the right approach?

I don't see why not.
We may never know the outcomes or see the results, but that's up to God. Our part is to be faithful.

Or are non-Christians likely to misunderstand and reject the Bible based on that misunderstanding?

As the Ethiopian said "how can I understand if no one explains it to me?"
If we just hand out a Bible in archaic English, with no word of explanation - yes, non Christians will not understand. They may already be sick of religion or have pre-conceived ideas of God based on their own experiences, or other people's ideas.
But giving out a Gospel, NT or even a whole Bible in modern day language with a smile and a word of testimony - eg "this changed my life" could do a lot of good.
And yes, there is much to misunderstand in the OT and it can be difficult. But the Psalms are incredibly honest, real and down to earth. Sometimes the authors shouted at God, yet still trusted him.

 

[friend of]

Giving out bibles sure does sound like actively doing the great commission.

 

[Andrewn]

Giving out bibles is not a bad thing.

Giving out bibles sure does sound like actively doing the great commission.

I don't see why not. We may never know the outcomes or see the results, but that's up to God. Our part is to be faithful.

I understand your point. But everybody has the Bible online. What do we add by handing out printed copies?

As the Ethiopian said "how can I understand if no one explains it to me?" If we just hand out a Bible in archaic English, with no word of explanation - yes, non Christians will not understand. They may already be sick of religion or have pre-conceived ideas of God based on their own experiences, or other people's ideas.

True.

But giving out a Gospel, NT or even a whole Bible in modern day language with a smile and a word of testimony - eg "this changed my life" could do a lot of good. And yes, there is much to misunderstand in the OT and it can be difficult.

I'm against giving a whole Bible to non-Christians. I think the OT can do more damage.

But the Psalms are incredibly honest, real and down to earth. Sometimes the authors shouted at God, yet still trusted him.

There are copies of the NT that include the Psalms.

 

[Strong in Him]

I understand your point. But everybody has the Bible online. What do we add by handing out printed copies?

How many non Christians are going to look for the Bible online?
If they ever do, how many will land on the KJV rather than a version written in modern language?

I'm against giving a whole Bible to non-Christians. I think the OT can do more damage.

Maybe.
Just handing a Bible to a non Christian is not going to help much. 99%, if not more, will start at the beginning - and probably give up by Leviticus.
But saying something like "this is God's word - it is best if you start with the New Testament, maybe Mark's Gospel", is not going to hurt. Yes, it may be easier to give out just NTs or individual Gospels. But a word of explanation, or teaching is no bad thing either.

There are copies of the NT that include the Psalms.

Well give those out then, if it makes you feel more comfortable.

 

[Pioneer3mm]

There are Bibles..for outreach/evangelism.
---
- NIV Outreach Bible
- The Gospel of John (NLT)
---
'Here's Hope' New Testament
'The Invitation' NT
- CSB
---
I remember..the Gideons.
- They came to...the campus mall & to give pocket Bibles.
- When I was in college..in 1970's.

 

[Andrewn]

I remember..the Gideons.
- They came to...the campus mall & to give pocket Bibles.
- When I was in college..in 1970's.

Same here. I received a copy of the NT from them. I was already a Christian but could only understand the Gospels in my Bible. I understood the Epistles in Beck's version, which they gave me, and I greatly appreciated this.

 

[BNR32FAN]

View attachment 333099

I posted this in a "Christians Only" forum because the idea is not to incite Bible bashing. We, Christians, love the Bible and frequently give Bibles to non-Christians. The Gideons have done this for decades. Is this the right approach? Or are non-Christians likely to misunderstand and reject the Bible based on that misunderstanding?

Paul says in Romans 1:16 that the gospel has the power to elicit a response in an individual. I’m confident that we all misunderstood much of the scriptures when we first read them but I feel like I understood enough to have a basic idea of God’s explanations and what was necessary to be saved.

 

[Divide]

This is unbelievable. Half of the non-Christians who receive a free Bible get saved! If this were true, I'd start distributing free Bibles tomorrow. It would be a crime not to do this.

Do you have a reference?

This is a good idea for a few reasons.

Coming soon to a neighbrohood near you: Bibles not for sale and considered contraband, perhaps even a felony.

Most homes at this time probably have 6 or 8 bibles in the home. Other homes do not have any. So those people would be at the mercy of others who interpret the bible for you.

I was thinking if the rapture happens then it would be good to have a supply of bibles on hand and secreted away so that the people can find them and be able to read for themselves.

I ordered a case of NKJV bibles from christianbook.com I think it was 48? And it was about $90 bucks to the door. Not a lot but every one helps.

If even one or two which received the bibles came into the Kingdom then it is worth it. And, perhaps, by the power of God...maybe 50% could be saved. All we do is sow seeds. The word of God is seeds. It will be God who gives the increase.

 

[Unqualified]

Isaiah 55:10-11

 

[Truth Crusader238]

View attachment 333099

I posted this in a "Christians Only" forum because the idea is not to incite Bible bashing. We, Christians, love the Bible and frequently give Bibles to non-Christians. The Gideons have done this for decades. Is this the right approach? Or are non-Christians likely to misunderstand and reject the Bible based on that misunderstanding?

I think people will find what they are looking for.

Luke 11:9-10

King James Version

​

9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

 

[CoreyD]

View attachment 333099

I posted this in a "Christians Only" forum because the idea is not to incite Bible bashing. We, Christians, love the Bible and frequently give Bibles to non-Christians. The Gideons have done this for decades. Is this the right approach? Or are non-Christians likely to misunderstand and reject the Bible based on that misunderstanding?

I would say, if the person shows interest, and would like to have a Bible, then give them a Bible.
The principle for this, is found in Matthew 10:8, and Luke 10:6.

I don't think it is wise, though, to indiscriminately give away Bibles, because those who really want, may not get, while those who don't value the Bible may get, and not use it.
Although, God has a way of leading persons to truth, so someone in the home may use it, or someone could find a discarded Bible, and use it. John 6:44

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

I posted this in a "Christians Only" forum because the idea is not to incite Bible bashing. We, Christians, love the Bible and frequently give Bibles to non-Christians. The Gideons have done this for decades. Is this the right approach? Or are non-Christians likely to misunderstand and reject the Bible based on that misunderstanding?

Handing out and explaining Gospel Tracts is probably a better approach to evangelism than giving a lost person a Bible and asking them to work through it on their own. That's not to say handing a lost person a Bible is totally ineffective. But I seriously doubt the validity of the 50% get saved statistic.

 

[ViaCrucis]

The best way for a person to encounter the Scriptures is in the Church. Or at least in the faith-based context of the Church, i.e. in the context of our common faith and confession, where they hear the word of God as it is confessed and believed by the people of God.

Scriptura Nuda is not Christianity.

Christianity is a living, breathing thing where the word of God is alive and active, where the Holy Spirit moves and works through Word and Sacrament to give, work, create, and strengthen faith by the word.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Raika]

I think all Bibles should be given for free to everyone.