Lately I think the bible isn't so important.

Landon Caeli said:

I'm sorry to sidestep here, but I notice a lot of Christians (including Catholics), refer to the scriptures as "the word".

...But isn't it true that "Word" is the name of Jesus Christ? This has puzzled me for some time, how the Bible and Jesus are both called "Word".

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You gotta look in the original languages to find out how words are used. Like the word, 'love'. In the English language we use it to describe a bunch of things. But in the Greek they actually had several that had differing definitions depending on how they were used in context. When Christians use the word, "Word" to describe Jesus they are referring to Logos which means the Person of Christ Himself. While 'rhema' at times called "spoken word", referring to the revelation received by disciples when the Holy Spirit "speaks" to them.
These are the differences.

Landon Caeli said:

Lately, I think what's more important is how I behave on earth, and how I treat others. In my view, worshipping God and praying are positive acts that facilitate a greater connection with God. I could be doing more good deeds for others too, but with studying the bible texts, I'm taking time away from actual things I could be doing.

...Is this right or wrong?

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If its more important to depends on good deeds than depend on the Word, then probably the driving force is gonna be what you would want to be right or wrong.

The bigger is do you wanna be right or wrong?

Landon Caeli said:

Lately, I think what's more important is how I behave on earth, and how I treat others. In my view, worshipping God and praying are positive acts that facilitate a greater connection with God. I could be doing more good deeds for others too, but with studying the bible texts, I'm taking time away from actual things I could be doing.

...Is this right or wrong?

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It's obviously not wrong to put your faith into practice, be salt and light etc. But the bible is one way in which God guides, speaks, encourages and corrects us.
If you don't know what the Bible says, and correct doctrine, you could be led by any cult which comes along and quotes the Bible to you.
And God might not even want you to do good deeds all the time. He might want you to rest, get to know and love him so that he can fill you with his Spirit, so that when he does have something for you, you'll have the gifts, and the strength, to do it.
I've learnt that my idea of what God wants me to do, and his idea, are not always the same.

Studying Bible texts is good.
Getting so hung up on every single word that you never actually do anything about it; isn't.

Landon Caeli said:

But we can read it once, and then it's done... Right?

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What did Jesus do?
He debated with teachers of the law, quoted from the prophets, referred to OT characters and in the wilderness when he was being tempted, quoted Scripture. He did not do all that after reading the Scriptures (OT) just once. As a Jewish boy he would have studied the Scriptures for his Bar Mitzvah; probably even learned some of them.

The Bible calls the word (written word) of God "the sword of the Spirit", Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12.
A sword has to be kept sharpened.

Landon Caeli said:

But we can read it once, and then it's done... Right?

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Did you (do you) understand everything you read without any doubts? (rhetorical question)

Landon Caeli said:

Lately, I think what's more important is how I behave on earth, and how I treat others. In my view, worshipping God and praying are positive acts that facilitate a greater connection with God. I could be doing more good deeds for others too, but with studying the bible texts, I'm taking time away from actual things I could be doing.

...Is this right or wrong?

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While its true you dont need to read the bible. And more preferable to do good it doesnt take much time to reade a verse or two.

Landon Caeli said:

I'm sorry to sidestep here, but I notice a lot of Christians (including Catholics), refer to the scriptures as "the word".

...But isn't it true that "Word" is the name of Jesus Christ? This has puzzled me for some time, how the Bible and Jesus are both called "Word".

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Yes, Jesus is THE Word, but the Bible contains written words from God.
In the OT the prophets said "this is what the Lord says". While the NT contains Jesus' words, and teachings, as well as sermons/speeches by the early church, and the revelation given to John.

buzuxi02 said:

While its true you dont need to read the bible.

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Why do you think it's true that we don't need to read God's word?

Landon Caeli said:

But we can read it once, and then it's done... Right?

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Landon Caeli said:

But some people spend years of their lives "studying" the bible. My only question is, why..?

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Think for a moment about how great, large, God is?

Can you comprehend all that God is?
Do you understand all that God is saying to you and all he wants of you?

It is because God is so much beyond our understanding that people spend a lifetime studying his word.

You want to serve others, a great ambition, but that is only worthy doing if it is bringing honour and glory to God.

As for reading/studying the Bible daily, a wise man reply toa child asking his question.
" Do you need to eat everyday? "

Remember what Jesus said to the devil.
' Man loves by every word that comes from God. '

Strong in Him said:

Why do you think it's true that we don't need to read God's word?

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It was not meant to be read but listened to. Throughout history many christians were illiterate. They never read nor owned a bible its not necessary.

Landon Caeli said:

Lately, I think what's more important is how I behave on earth, and how I treat others. In my view, worshipping God and praying are positive acts that facilitate a greater connection with God. I could be doing more good deeds for others too, but with studying the bible texts, I'm taking time away from actual things I could be doing.

...Is this right or wrong?

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The Bible is the word of Yahweh. It explains our History, our present day, and our future. Not only that, but it also goes into detail on what’s righteous and what’s wicked. The most important thing it does is that it helps us understand our Creator and by doing so it helps us understand ourselves better.

Landon Caeli said:

...Is this right or wrong?

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Both. It's good to consider the pros and cons of the Bible. Even back in Jesus' day, when there was no Bible, people tended to venerate Holy writings which, over time, caused them to miss the point. The purpose of any kind of written word is to communicate information. When God (or Jesus) talks about his word, he's referring to his message, the spiritual principles inherent in his communication with us.

Jesus addressed this with the religious leaders when he rebuked them for thinkning the gold had become more important than the temple, and the sacrifices had become more important than the alter itself; it was their perspective toward these things that had become wrong.

If you look at the Bible as a means of communicating information, then there should be no problem. Read it for the purpose of getting better understanding rather than because reading it somehow transmits spiritual power to you by virtue of the book being Holy in itself.

John the disciple even says that we don't need human teachers because the Holy Spirit can teach us everything we know. We don't need the bible, but neither should that cause us to think there's no point to reading the Bible. You may be able to get from point A to point B without a map but having a map certainly will make the journey easier.

Landon Caeli said:

...But isn't it true that "Word" is the name of Jesus Christ? This has puzzled me for some time, how the Bible and Jesus are both called "Word".

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Exactly. The Bible is not the word of God, though it would be fair to say that the Bible contains the word of God. Jesus is the word of God. Jesus really is the Boss. He is God's ultimate representative to humanity. It's an important distinction because Jesus' message is fundamentally different to a lot of the Old Testament stuff we see.

For example, it's pretty common for wealthy people (or those trying to justify chasing after wealth) to point to the example of Solomon, who was incredibly wealthy. They say, "The word of God shows that it's okay to be wealthy, like Solomon". But Jesus' message was different; he said we cannot use our time to work for both God and money without cheating on one or the other, that we should not chase after material things or let fears about these things stop us from seeking God's kingdom first.

Jesus even boasts, twice, that he is better than Solomon. If you believe that the Bible is the word of God, then you will not see much problem using Solomon to cancel Jesus. When it's all the word of God then you can just pick and choose whichever parts suit your personal interest and still feel justified.

But if you see Jesus as the word of God, then you're obliged to obey him even if there are other examples from the old testament which are contrary to his message.

Landon Caeli said:

Lately, I think what's more important is how I behave on earth, and how I treat others. In my view, worshipping God and praying are positive acts that facilitate a greater connection with God. I could be doing more good deeds for others too, but with studying the bible texts, I'm taking time away from actual things I could be doing.

...Is this right or wrong?

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Balance is important. You say that worship and prayer are positive acts that facilitate a greater connection with God, and that is right. But as Jesus said in John 4:24, "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." We get truth about God from the Bible, so we need that foundation from which we can expand and reach out to God in worship and in prayer. More truth + a reverent heart = better worship.

As for good deeds, Jesus said we are to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). Good deeds are part of that, but a Christian who is freshly loaded up with the truth as he does those same good deeds will be more salt and more light than a person who just does the good deeds. And I don't know if you have kids, but if you do, you definitely need to spend time studying the Scriptures so that you can minister their truth to your kids, especially as their questions get tougher as they grow. While that might be time that you could otherwise spend with them, if you have studied and internalized the Scriptures, that will positively impact the quality of time you have with them - and perhaps you can do those studies when they're in bed (on whichever end of the day makes the most sense for you) to minimize that sacrifice.

Landon Caeli said:

So do the scriptures have multiple "fluid" meanings? Or were they written for a single specific meaning?

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I don't subscribe to polyvalence. I'm referring to deeper meanings, not different ones. Also multiple applications, like the "types" found in the OT, or the Psalms dealing with David, but also speaking of Christ.

What Does the Bible Say About Studying The Bible?

These are some verses that make me believe we are to continually read the word of Yah.

John Helpher said:

Exactly. The Bible is not the word of God, though it would be fair to say that the Bible contains the word of God. Jesus is the word of God. “

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Wait, what? The Bible isn’t the word of Yah?
What about these verses?
What Does the Bible Say About Word Of God?

Mari_magdel said:

Wait, what? The Bible isn’t the word of Yah?

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No. Even the Bible doesn't say that it is God's word. It does say that Jesus is the word of God. Did you read my comments on why this is an important distinction?