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Where does loving the word stop and Bibliolatry start?

A

Alcott

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Not sure. I don't think I've practiced bibliolatry since I was in a high chair learning to use a spoon.
 
Z

Zenas

Active Member
Revmitchell said:
In my experience with the author of the op it means believing the bible means what it says rather than some allegorical "spiritual" purpose.
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Are you suggesting the Bible contains no allegory or are you castigating those who would say it is all allegory and spiritual?
 
O

Oldtimer

New Member
bib·li·ol·a·try
1. excessive reverence for the Bible as literally interpreted.
2. extravagant devotion to or dependence upon books.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bibliolatry
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In the case of Christianity, the term bibliolatry is used in a derogatory sense toward those who either have an extreme devotion to the Bible itself, or hold to a high view of biblical inerrancy.[3] Those who esteem Biblical inerrancy point to passages such as 2 Timothy 3:16-17, stating that the Scriptures, as received, are a perfect (and in some views, complete) source of what must be known about God. Critics of this view call the view a kind of idolatry, and point to verses such as John 5:39-40 to point out that Jesus was asking humanity to relate to God, not just seek God's rules and spurn a relationship with the God who created them.[4]Not only this, but the first chapter of John's Gospel clearly identifies the Word of God not as the Bible or any other work of human hands, but rather as Christ himself, through whom were created all things.

Historic Christianity has never endorsed worship of the Bible itself, as worship is explicitly reserved only for God. That is to say, Christians consider the Bible as a kind of signpost which points to God, rather than considering the Bible, as a book, itself as valuable as God himself. Some Christians believe that biblical authority is derived from God as the inspiration behind the text, not the text itself.[5] So the term is not a reference to an actual belief, but is often used as a pejorative term to negatively label perceived practices of theological opponents. The groups to whom the term is most often applied are Protestants of a fundamentalist and evangelical background who hold to Biblical inerrancy and Scripture as the only divine authority.

Disputes exist as to whether the King James Only movement is or is not a form of bibliolatry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibliolatry
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"Where does loving the word stop and Bibliolatry start?"

Often (qualifier) when His word becomes a stone hurled at someone who professes their belief that the version, first published in 1611, is the best one to use to study His word.
 
John of Japan

John of Japan

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Crabtownboy said:
Where does loving the word stop and Bibliolatry start?
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It stops and becomes bibliolatry precisely when the person bows down before the Bible and worships it. I've never seen or heard of that happening, which makes the very concept of Bibliolatry a straw man and a misnomer.
 
1

12strings

Active Member
John of Japan said:
It stops and becomes bibliolatry precisely when the person bows down before the Bible and worships it. I've never seen or heard of that happening, which makes the very concept of Bibliolatry a straw man and a misnomer.
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Great response...I would direct anyone to read Psalm 119 and then ask if the author had an appropriate disposition to the the Law/Word of God, or was he dangerously close to "bibliolatry?"

It would concede that it is possible and likely that there are those for whom intellectual study becomes an end to itself, divorced from personal knowledge of God or form practice of obedience to it...but that study in itself is not idolatry...study is necessary to know what practical steps to take. How do I know how to respond when someone take my Coat? I know because I have studied and considered God's word on the subject, and revere his Word enough to accept it an obey it to let the person go, and even offer him my shirt...even though I might rather punch the guy and take my coat back.
 
Y

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
12strings said:
Great response...I would direct anyone to read Psalm 119 and then ask if the author had an appropriate disposition to the the Law/Word of God, or was he dangerously close to "bibliolatry?"

It would concede that it is possible and likely that there are those for whom intellectual study becomes an end to itself, divorced from personal knowledge of God or form practice of obedience to it...but that study in itself is not idolatry...study is necessary to know what practical steps to take. How do I know how to respond when someone take my Coat? I know because I have studied and considered God's word on the subject, and revere his Word enough to accept it an obey it to let the person go, and even offer him my shirt...even though I might rather punch the guy and take my coat back.
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Think the OP is directed towards those of us who actually hold to an infallible bible, as to holding to doctrines not in line with "liberal/current unserstandings!"
 
John of Japan

John of Japan

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
12strings said:
Great response...I would direct anyone to read Psalm 119 and then ask if the author had an appropriate disposition to the the Law/Word of God, or was he dangerously close to "bibliolatry?"
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Amen! Or as the Psalmist said elsewhere, "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name" (Ps 138:2).
 
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