You Dont Need to Believe the Bible to Be a Christian

[resurrection33]

So I found this link from my brother in law who responded to these people online. They are saying that you dont need a Bible to be a Christian. If I press them they say the Bible is useful but not necessary to the life of a Christian. Heres a link to what the believe...

How Can You Call Yourselves Christian When You Don't Believe in the Bible?

What would you say in answer to this?

I guess the question arises: Does the Lord need a Bible to teach us what we need to know, or is he capable of teaching us what we need to know without a Bible? Put another way: How does he deal with people who have never been told of the Bible?

 

[Desertsrose]

Would someone please rep Rose for me? I haven't spread the love around to rep her again yet.

But, Rose? Yup!

Thanks, Lynn! Bill was kind and repped me for you. Thanks to you too Bill!

 

[maxwel]

I guess the question arises: Does the Lord need a Bible to teach us what we need to know, or is he capable of teaching us what we need to know without a Bible? Put another way: How does he deal with people who have never been told of the Bible?

Put another way

Put another way:
if God chose to teach us in a particular way, like with a book, should we really question God's method?

Put another way:
if God created a book, and gave us a book, should we assume we don't need it?

Put another way:
if God could make the entire universe, is he capable of recognizing which people are ready and willing to look at his book... and is he capable of getting a book to those individuals... those who are ready and willing to listen?




And if you want to get really philosophical...

Why would God create the very first man with the complete ability to use LANGUAGE (which requires logic and rational thinking), in order to COMMUNICATE WITH the first man... if God wasn't interested in using LANGUAGE to communicate with man?

Like it or not, God created language, and created us with the ability to use language, so we could communicate, in both directions, with HIM.

God CHOSE to use language to speak to us.

God could have made us to communicate with bursts of squid ink, dolphin clicks, or dog slobber, or honey bee dances, or nothing but psychic powers... but God gave us RATIONAL, LOGICAL, COMPLEX LANGUAGE, complete with ABSTRACT CONCEPTUAL MECHANISMS, in order to COMMUNICATE WITH HIM.

 

[kaylagrl]

Women didn't read so much back then.


Back when women didn't read...

they didn't argue with us so much on internet forums.

HAhahahaha ! Best comment so far!!!

 

[Embankment]

Do you need to believe the Bible, I say yes. Read the Bible, maybe not. I would think one needs to be exposed to what it says.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

Of course the homosexuals in that article are trying to justify ignoring what God teaches, but that should not even concern us, since we aren't trying to justify being queer.

But it SHOULD concern us that we may be insisting that someone has to read our book before they can follow our Jesus. The 3,000 at Pentecost didn't. They heard God the way He chose to reach them that morning.... no book ever involved.

I did not read the article but only the excerpt from it that she posted. I didn't know they were a homosexual church.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

How can you believe, or disbelieve, something if you have not yet read it? Did God say that He willed (His work was) that each of us Believe on the Bible to be saved? Or did He seem to want us to believe on the one He sent.... however it was that Jesus was reaching us?

On further thought, many disbelieve in God, having never read it. And many say they believe having never read it either...

 

[BenFTW]

I would ask them a very simple question. "Is God a liar?" Then I would proceed to tell them that the Bible is God's truth, and for what reason would they ignore it when it is from their Creator. It tells the accounts of Jesus, His life, and what He did for us. If they are saying you don't need to believe the bible to be a Christian, I would ask them, "In what respect do you think God is lying?" "Where do you disagree with God?"

Basically, I would get to the root of their aversion to believing the Bible and address it. You need to believe what the Bible says about Jesus, His death and resurrection to be a Christian because it tells the truth of the Gospel. If they ignore this historical text, why? I might go even further and ask them, "What offends you?"

There is a reason why they don't believe the Bible, and while someone can be a Christian without ever reading a Bible, they inherently believe it if they believe in the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

[Tinkerbell725]

God sometimes speaks to us about a specific issue in our life through His word so the Bible is important to our relationship with God. And besides we easily forget so we need to be reminded by reading God's word.

 

[BenFTW]

Of course the homosexuals in that article are trying to justify ignoring what God teaches, but that should not even concern us, since we aren't trying to justify being queer.

But it SHOULD concern us that we may be insisting that someone has to read our book before they can follow our Jesus. The 3,000 at Pentecost didn't. They heard God the way He chose to reach them that morning.... no book ever involved.

If someone denies one part of God's word they make Him out to be a liar. If He is a liar, then can we truly believe the testimony of Christ's birth, death, and resurrection? The issue is that God's word offends them because it puts into question their life style so now they wish to ignore God's righteousness and point to faith as only being important.

They are doing what most people accuse "hyper-grace" people of, licentiousness. Except in this case, they make God's word out to be irrelevant in respect to salvation, so no grace even needed just simply the removing of His word (which condemns a lot of sin). Who needs grace for sin, when sin isn't even defined?

I was right in my assumption, something offends them and so they wish to denounce it. I didn't even know about this homosexual agenda behind the article (just read the exert given), until after I wrote my initial post.

They may not have to believe everything in the Bible (though such a stance is making God out to be a liar) for salvation, but they do have to believe what the Bible says about Jesus' death and resurrection. So then, why do they only believe one account of the Bible and not the rest? An agenda, and one that is clear now that you've pointed out their stance on homosexuality.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

One of the problems I see with this comment is that of the great commission that says to go and make disciples, teaching them to obey all Jesus' commandments.

Matthew 28:16-20

But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Much of what was being taught came to the hearers by word of mouth with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

We teach today out of God's word with the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's power is contained within the written word and the verbal word.

Today we don't know what to verbalize without reading and studying the written word. This is how God planned for us to hear His words. Verbally and written, both with the inspiration of God's Spirit.

I never knew anyone thought this way, that His Spirit is contained within the written word. It's a perfectly fine thing to believe or way to believe, my mind just doesn't see it that that way. I would think if that were the case, one wouldn't need to have the Spirit inside them in order to understand it...just the way different minds think.

 

[Bladerunner]

Don't really agree with the article, but it does make me think about an interesting question.

Could one say you don't have to read the Bible to believe what is written in the Bible?

Chokmahiel,,,, There are a lot of people who have not read the Bible but for the most part here in the US, we have the Freedom to at least have the Bible. One can probably say that a person can believe the Bible BUT Other than Faith how does a person know if it is the really the WORD of GOD.

Of course with today's electronics, you can get the Bible read to you if you do not want to read it.

Having said all of the above, not reading the Bible is NOT a SIN and this action will have NO affect on ones Salvation.


BUT Believing it is NOT the WORD of GOD might just have a high price attached to it.

As I stated before. How can you Believe in Jesus Christ if You do not believe the Bible was designed, written and inspired with 40 authors in 66 Books. How can you believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ if you do not believe HIS words.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

People who are illiterate learn in other ways.
-- Ask questions from those who can read what they need to know.
-- Audio books.
-- See-do.
-- Out and out ask for help to learn to read.

It seems to me this illiterate excuse is being perpetuated by those who are quite literate, but don't feel the need to learn the Bible. (Just this sense I'm getting with all these references to "They didn't even read, yet God taught them everything" subterfuge in this thread.)

I don't see subterfuge by anyone in here. This is the best thread I have ever read! Not a single person who has posted hasn't had some point very valid to the discussion that has helped it. There are some stunning posts because people aren't just arguing over doctrines (blah, blah, blah) but are reasoning quite well and thinking with their own minds.
Chok, it is very nice to meet you. You have contributed to make this a very thought provoking discussion and...just wow! No one has murdered anyone yet, which is rare!

 

[Stephen63]

This was how I interpreted what ladybug said, what you say here. I sort of understood her because in all honesty, I used to read my bible MORE before I learned to walk in the Spirit more consistently and grew a little in virtue through Him. Now that I'm learning to walk more consistently in the Spirit, I read my bible less, BUT I get more instruction for my inside now than when I read it more.

To me, that's scary, because the Holy Spirit gives Jesus the preeminence, & how can He do that without pointing us into the Word?

For example, prophecy always points to something in the Word.

I like most of your posts, but I have to disagree with that one, sis.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

Can I know you if I never read what you say?

Can I know you, if I never listen to what you say?

Am I even interested in knowing you, if I will not read what you say or listen to you?

Pretty much, THAT is the deal we have in God. If we're not interested, we won't. If we are, we will. These people aren't, and yet you defend them?

I don't believe he is or is not defending any group of people. He seems to be to be dealing with the topic.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

Well, if man developed the ability to read and write the written spoken word by his own knowledge and understanding then why would he need to be taught? So did man learn to read or write the word first?

Jesus only asked the Pharisees if they had read, since they were the only Jews who knew who to read and write. Even among the Romans only the elite were taught to read and write.

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
Matthew 12:3
Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
Matthew 12:5
And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:
Mark 12:10
And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
Mark 12:26

So how did Moses learn to write if he was trained in all the wisdom of Egypt and there is no evidence they ever had the ability to communicate using the written spoken word? (I can give a kid a crayon and piece of paper and they can draw a picture and tell you the story about what it means but ask him 20 years later and see if knows what originally 'wrote'.)

And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
John 7:15

Interesting point! In another place, He taught the common folk and didn't say that - He said, you have heard it said...

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

To me, that's scary, because the Holy Spirit gives Jesus the preeminence, & how can He do that without pointing us into the Word?

For example, prophecy always points to something in the Word.

I like most of your posts, but I have to disagree with that one, sis.

I don't know if you really caught my thought completely. It's like, if I have a set of earphones on, connecting me with the author of a book, by hearing him read it to me, will I understand him, or will I not understand him unless I go and read it also.

I am not really arguing with anything said in here. I've understood everyones points.

 

[Chokmahiel]

Chokmahiel,,,, There are a lot of people who have not read the Bible but for the most part here in the US, we have the Freedom to at least have the Bible. One can probably say that a person can believe the Bible BUT Other than Faith how does a person know if it is the really the WORD of GOD.

Of course with today's electronics, you can get the Bible read to you if you do not want to read it.

Having said all of the above, not reading the Bible is NOT a SIN and this action will have NO affect on ones Salvation.


BUT Believing it is NOT the WORD of GOD might just have a high price attached to it.

As I stated before. How can you Believe in Jesus Christ if You do not believe the Bible was designed, written and inspired with 40 authors in 66 Books. How can you believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ if you do not believe HIS words.

Well I would say even if you have not read the Bible but you believe in God and Jesus that you then still believe the Bible since all the words of the Bible testify of Jesus.

Makes me think of another very curious episode in the Gospel between Jesus and the jews that had made a career of reading the Bible but did not believe. The whole chapter is really good to this point, but I'll just post an excerpt. Particularly notice verse 39.

John 5:37-47

[SUP]37 [/SUP]And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
[SUP]38 [/SUP]And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
[SUP]39 [/SUP]Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
[SUP]40 [/SUP]And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
[SUP]41 [/SUP]I receive not honour from men.
[SUP]42 [/SUP]But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
[SUP]43 [/SUP]I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
[SUP]44 [/SUP]How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
[SUP]45 [/SUP]Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
[SUP]46 [/SUP]For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.
[SUP]47 [/SUP]But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

 

[Chokmahiel]

I don't see subterfuge by anyone in here. This is the best thread I have ever read! Not a single person who has posted hasn't had some point very valid to the discussion that has helped it. There are some stunning posts because people aren't just arguing over doctrines (blah, blah, blah) but are reasoning quite well and thinking with their own minds.
Chok, it is very nice to meet you. You have contributed to make this a very thought provoking discussion and...just wow! No one has murdered anyone yet, which is rare!

Lol, well thanks for the compliment I think. Though if you knew how Chokmah was pronounced perhaps you wouldn't call me Chok lol, not that I am meaning to be cocky lol.

 

[samuel23]

The bible contains the words of God written down for us to read, the bible does not claim to be God the Word, but the words of God the Word. The bible defines what God will and will not do, so if we hold the bible in a lower position in our mind then we become quite open for deception. Actually the very idea that the bible is not all that necessary is in itself a deception.