Bible Idol
One of the very formative points in my spiritual life came during a discussion with my wife to be, Meredith Bentch.
We were debating spiritual matters, as we often did back then. I was very zealous in my pursuit of a systematic theology. I yearned very much for doctrinal purity. I also yearned that everyone else have the same doctrinal purity that I had. I could just about tell you how everyone one else was wrong in their doctrine and to what degree of heresy they had. I regular CRI guy, I was, very attached to my own correctness.
Anyway, back to the point at hand. During the course of our discussion, Meredith brought up a sensitive subject. She warned against holding the Bible up as an idol. At once I dismissed the idea and felt the shame of its truth. In my rationalism and skepticism, I had held it as God”s word on earth and His only word on earth; restated, God”s only representation on earth. You could easily go further and hold it as His only real presence on earth. It was very easy for me to transform that written word into my God.
Meredith”s greatest illustration that night was her holding up the bible and saying, “This is not God, this is not what we are to worship.”
Meredith stressed the point that the Bible could not contain God. God, like his avatar Aslan, comes as goes as He pleases, He is a wild lion. The bible is a tool that God has given us. It is His word, not his totality.
It is not his only communication with us. You should not have your eyes on the bible (as God), you should have your eyes on God. You should seek relationship with God, not only with His word. The bible points to God, but it is not God. When you focus on the bible as God”s sole presence on Earth, it becomes very easy to lose intimacy with God.
He goes beyond mere black and white letters on a page, there is a Person who wants to influence you as you are reading these pages and wants to love you and you love Him back. God goes beyond the bible, how can a mere 3000 pages encapsulate his being?
I am not saying there are other sources of revelation besides the Bible. What I am saying that one should not fall into worshiping it as an idol. It was a reproof that I did not like to hear that I was guilty of, but it was needed. Thank you Meredith.
P.S. Did anyone get the play on the title?
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I agree and disagree. Jesus said to the Pharisees in John 5
You search the scriptures for in them you think you have life yet these are they which testify of Me. Yet, you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”
In this sense I want to avoid making the word of God into an idol, the Bible is to point us to the fount of life, Christ. When wileding the word becomes something other than celebrating the truth/wisdom/applications in it because of Who gave it to us we run the risk of idolatry. We need to remember the bible is authoratative because the One who authored it is the sole authority in the universe. However, I also want to avoid the mentality that almost belittles relying on the bible (in doctrine and truth issues) as being “legalistic”. Is it legalistic to lean on that which alone has authority? I think all arguments are useless ramblings if they are not found in scripture. David said of the word:
“My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!
When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes!
Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!
Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.
I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame!
I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! He. Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!”
The scriptures are what David (and all saints) rely on to connect them to God, the God who has given us promises found in the word. One thing is clear in Psalm 119 the scriptures were a guide to David instructing him in hokiness and showing him his sin. So I want to avoid belittling the word of God (Not saying you are HMI) for in the scripture we have a rule not just for doctrine and theology but to guide our very lives safely to our desired Haven.