I'll sing with the Sunday School kids, "I stand alone on the Word of God" but I cannot honestly join in the first line of that ditty: "The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that's the book for me." Just say NO to Bible idolatry!
Yes, I have learned about God in part through the testimony of ancient writers in the books of the Bible. But I am not in any way able to adopt the currently popular label Bible-believing Christian. To be honest, I don't even know what that's supposed to mean. It smacks of a need to stand in contrast to some imagined low class group of Bible not-believing Christians. All I know is at that I am a Christ-believing Christian. I am a Christ-worshipping Christian.
I stand alone on Jesus, the Word of God! "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."
I stand on the rock of Jesus Christ, the One who shows me the face of God!! The Bible, as inspired parts of it are, is NOT the Lord of Life. The Bible, as faithful a witness as it usually is, is NOT my Savior. The Bible, as faith-building as it is, is quite simply NOT GOD. Therefore it is not permitted my worship and praise.
When we remove the Bible from our worship we are able to more perfectly focus our hearts and minds on Christ the King. When we do not need the Bible to be God for us, we are able to forgive it is cultural limitations of ancient time and place. The Bible is not our Creator and therefore we do not have to turn back flips to rationalize the parts of it that are clearly beside the point (OT laws, Paul's demand that women cover their heads, and LOTS more).
Does this make a Christian reader nervous? It shouldn't. You should feel more nervous about the fact that by holding your current Bible idolatry mindset you are trying to LIMIT the boundless God of the Universe! You are trying to "Bible study" yourself into mastery of that which is eternally greater than you . Stop trying to find God's edges! Admit your powerlessness and just follow Christ!
Heavenly Creator God: Thank you for the great gift of Christ Jesus. I am thankful for the witness of Biblical writers who have left a record of godly wisdom and testimony. Help me to stay focused on You and Your kingdom rather than on the works of human beings. Bend my will daily to more and more refect your holy Goodness. Amen.
Yes, I have learned about God in part through the testimony of ancient writers in the books of the Bible. But I am not in any way able to adopt the currently popular label Bible-believing Christian. To be honest, I don't even know what that's supposed to mean. It smacks of a need to stand in contrast to some imagined low class group of Bible not-believing Christians. All I know is at that I am a Christ-believing Christian. I am a Christ-worshipping Christian.
I stand alone on Jesus, the Word of God! "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."
I stand on the rock of Jesus Christ, the One who shows me the face of God!! The Bible, as inspired parts of it are, is NOT the Lord of Life. The Bible, as faithful a witness as it usually is, is NOT my Savior. The Bible, as faith-building as it is, is quite simply NOT GOD. Therefore it is not permitted my worship and praise.
When we remove the Bible from our worship we are able to more perfectly focus our hearts and minds on Christ the King. When we do not need the Bible to be God for us, we are able to forgive it is cultural limitations of ancient time and place. The Bible is not our Creator and therefore we do not have to turn back flips to rationalize the parts of it that are clearly beside the point (OT laws, Paul's demand that women cover their heads, and LOTS more).
Does this make a Christian reader nervous? It shouldn't. You should feel more nervous about the fact that by holding your current Bible idolatry mindset you are trying to LIMIT the boundless God of the Universe! You are trying to "Bible study" yourself into mastery of that which is eternally greater than you . Stop trying to find God's edges! Admit your powerlessness and just follow Christ!
Heavenly Creator God: Thank you for the great gift of Christ Jesus. I am thankful for the witness of Biblical writers who have left a record of godly wisdom and testimony. Help me to stay focused on You and Your kingdom rather than on the works of human beings. Bend my will daily to more and more refect your holy Goodness. Amen.
