Lately I think the bible isn't so important.

John Helpher said:

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?

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Did you even read the verses provided in the link?

buzuxi02 said:

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.

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That's assuming people walk in life with nothing that challenges their faith nor come across people that questions it.

Did not Jesus himself fight off Satan's temptations in the NT, not by doing good but by reciting the words left from OT? Did Jesus not spent years discussing the accounts of Moses of the prophets to the teachers of the temple? How much more important then if we truly follow Jesus does deeper understanding of the OT and NT is vital to the faith?

buzuxi02 said:

It was not meant to be read but listened to.

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That may be true, and admittedly I do prefer to listen to the NT.

buzuxi02 said:

They never read nor owned a bible its not necessary.

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Well possibly not, IF people listen to it regularly, study it and try to memorise it.
But in a Bible study group, it's a lot easier if people have the passage in front of them and take turns to read from it. It's also common to read a passage of Scripture in church, not listen to it.

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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I have a question for you. If you dont know what the Bible says, how can you spread the gospel? How can you lead people to Christ? The bible tells us how to become disciples of Christ (a.k.a Christians) and teaches us about how to live the Christian life. If you dont know what Christ said about his disciples how can you be a disciple?

Your works dont save you. Faith in Christ saves you. Your sanctification is the next best thing in your Christian walk. Yes? How can we be sanctified more and more each day without God and Gods words?

Landon Caeli said:

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

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I've been reading books by Dr. Michael Heiser, a scholar whose career is studying the Bible. His knowledge has answered some of the most puzzling questions I've had, such as:


My own reading was never going to produce answers to such questions. So I'm glad we have bible scholars.

Ephesians 6:17 (KJV)
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
2 Samuel 22:31 (KJV)
[As for] God, his way [is] perfect; the word of the LORD [is] tried: he [is] a buckler to all them that trust in him.
Proverbs 30:5 (KJV)
Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Isaiah 1:10 (KJV)
Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
Isaiah 40:8 (KJV)
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Matthew 4:4 (KJV)
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Luke 11:28 (KJV)
But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)
For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
1 Peter 1:23 (KJV)
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Revelation 1:2 (KJV)
Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Mari_magdel said:

Did you even read the verses provided in the link?

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Yeah. None of those verses says that the Bible is the word of God, though they do refer to the importance of God's communication with humanity; our need to listen to his carefully and follow his teachings.

However, there is, quite conspicuously, one verse missing which does precisely say what the word of God is. Revelation 19:13 "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God". Jesus is the Word of God.

Did you see my comments on why that distinction is important? Do you have any response to that point?

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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You are very wrong Landon. what is needed is a balanced life! Prayer, fellowship and the Word are the key ingredients to make a productive life obedient to God! The Word teaches us how to live, Prayer empowers us to live, and fellowship is where we live!

John Helpher said:

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?

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The bible is the only book that claims authorship from God and is the only book that claims that God is a person that becomes personal. It also claims the authorship of humans and demons. Discernment is honed by rightly dividing it.

ChetSinger said:

I've been reading books by Dr. Michael Heiser, a scholar whose career is studying the Bible. His knowledge has answered some of the most puzzling questions I've had, such as:

What exactly did Ham do to Noah?
Why did Naaman ask Elisha for two carts filled with dirt?
Were the princes of Greece and Persia mentioned in Daniel actually angels?​

My own reading was never going to produce answers to such questions. So I'm glad we have bible scholars.

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Agreed without the world's best Theologians and Pastors Christian's would still be wondering about Genesis 1-3.

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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Yes and no.

You need a balance between the two. Simply worshipping God is good as is prayer, but it is too easy to get caught up in error whether of your own making or that of others unless you have the yardstick of the Bible to measure it against.

All scripture is God-breathed... which means that the act of Bible study is also an act of worship.

The bible really came alive to me when I was introduced to what is called British Israelism.

John Helpher said:

Yeah. None of those verses says that the Bible is the word of God, though they do refer to the importance of God's communication with humanity; our need to listen to his carefully and follow his teachings.

However, there is, quite conspicuously, one verse missing which does precisely say what the word of God is. Revelation 19:13 "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God". Jesus is the Word of God.

Did you see my comments on why that distinction is important? Do you have any response to that point?

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I actually do, the Messiah is the testimonies (word of Yah) in the flesh.
John 1:14 (KJV)
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The Bible is a collection of testimonials of Yahweh’s chosen and their interactions with Yahweh. They we’re given to us for a reason.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
1 Corinthians 10:1-15
1 ¶ Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 ¶ Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 ¶ Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 ¶ Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

Landon Caeli said:

I heard British Israelism is horrible.

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Lots of people feel that way, but it is a fascinating theory.

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 Scriptures are God's revelation to man apart from which man would be in utter darkness and confusion concerning things like heaven and hell, who Jesus is and what He has done to secure our salvation.
I fear our culture is heading towards another Dark Age because of it's laisez-faire attitude towards God's Word.
Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
(2Th 2:8-12)

Landon Caeli said:

Could Christian mysticism be the next level?

I wonder...

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So with you being Catholic I think that it's a combination of things possibly. I specify the Catholic portion because some wouldn't apply to Protestants because they see them differently than Catholics, or Orthodox Christians.

Reading the Holy Scripture is of course important because even if we've read it many times we may forget exact portions, and we're always growing/learning. So with that we may be able to apply something we've recently learned, or experienced in light of the Holy Scriptures.

Beyond that I'd say reading the lives of the Saints is very important as well. The Saints give us an outstanding example of how we should live our lives, but in addition they cover the theological aspects of Christianity which helps us to remain on the correct path in our understanding, and interpretation of Christianity.

Also, of course acting out, and living what you've learned is of course a great way to spend your time as well. After all almsgiving, helping the poor etc are all things that were specifically identified by Christ as being important. So I agree with you here.

In addition a pilgrimage can be of great spiritual benefit as well. Along with it being an age old tradition in both Catholicism, and Orthodoxy there are many things we can learn from a pilgrimage both from the journey itself, and who we interact with along the way to include the monks, or nuns once we get there. This doesn't have to be to Jerusalem, or Mont St-Michel, or some faraway place. There are plenty of monasteries in California close to you that could be potential destinations for you. Be sure to reach out to your monastic brother, and sisterhoods. They still exist in Catholicism as I'm sure you well know, and can be a great repository of spiritual wealth, and guidance.

Last, I'll say that Christian mysticism certainly is a potential next step as well, but I'd caution you that it should be practiced under the care of a Spiritual Father, or Mother who can properly direct you as spiritual prelest is very real, and many ascetics have had problems with this throughout the past 1700 years, or so. This is not a journey you'd want to start on your own, and so speaking with some of the monks about this may be helpful.

John 5:39 (KJV)
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Mari_magdel said:

I actually do, the Messiah is the testimonies (word of Yah) in the flesh.
John 1:14 (KJV)
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

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Thanks, Mari as this verse can be helpful in communicating what I mean when I say the Bible is not the Word of God (but rather Jesus is the Word of God). In those places where "the word" is used in these verses, instead substitute "the Bible" to see just how ridiculous it is to elevate the collection of histories, testimonies, and letters themselves to the same status as Jesus.

In the beginning was the Bible, and the Bible was with God, and the Bible was God.

The Bible was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by the Bible; and without the Bible was not any thing made that was made.

And the Bible was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Equating the Bible and the word of God, as though they are the same thing, makes no sense. It is a very popular religious point of view that is meant to lend the Bible as a whole credibility and communicate its seriousness that we've learned to refer to it as the Word of God, but that kind of religious bluff is a mistake. It's not confidence nor reverence; it's just confusing because people invariably refer to parts of the Bible which are not consistent with what Jesus taught and use those parts to cancel Jesus.

Here's an example of how it works; Paul was a tent-maker so we don't have to listen to Jesus' teachings about how we cannot serve both God and money at the same time. Paul's example can be found in the collection of writings we refer to as the bible and since the whole Bible is the word of God, that means Paul's example here is equal to what Jesus said; we can take either one and still be consistent with the word of God.

One part of the "word of God" is used to cancel the real word of God (i.e. Jesus).

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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Hi Landon!

Reading the scriptures is super important! The Lord uses it to speak to you. Its very powerful! Jesus even said he that loves me will keep my words, he that loves me not will not keep my words.
But importantly it shows you the New Covenant God made in His Son....men are saved by the finished work of Christ, by grace and not by our own good works. Believing Jesus died for your sins, and paid your penalty of death in full, rose from the grave to defeat death in your behalf.

It glorifies what God did for you, not what we do for God.
God declares a man righteous by his faith in the completed work of his Son, not by how good you can be.