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...the harrowing fact about some Christians is that their regard for the written word as completely "complete." That is, if you understand the doctrine, it will save you. Just believe in it; you don't have to do anything else to be saved. My problem is, any form of written language always refers to something greater than itself. It cannot be an "end in itself" in principle; its function is to point to a higher, greater Truth, of which the written word is but a declension. But it seems so many Christians nowadays think that the mastery of the written word as an end-in-itself is what saves. I do not believe this. Indeed, there is a word that describes this attitude: bibliolatry. Bibliolatry substitutes the Holy Bible for God Himself, and His Living Word. The Holy Scriptures cannot be a "reduction" of God, or a God substitute, in any way.

Betty...I tend to generically agree with what you're saying here -- Jesus said something similar one time (John 5:39), which I'll quote below...

The issue here tho is context. Sometimes a poster can say something 100% generically on the mark -- and yet leave the door wide open as to how that remark applies to the thread discussion.

That was my thought coming away from this comment. Which poster or posters do you either know well enough, or discern from this thread, that are guilty of this? Be specific...'cause on my next post re: your post in #512, I'm a bit preturbed over your moral judging of others in a thread in which you claim to only judge "facts."

Now, as I mentioned, Jesus did say something similar to your comment:

39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me... (John 5:39)

IOW...yes 'tis too easy for as Christians to "abort" this process of living testimony and forget that it leads us every minute to relate to Christ Himself. So, while ALL of us can use this general reminder; I'm not sure if you're actually also pointing fingers at given posters here re: this reminder.

bb:...the harrowing fact about some Christians is that their regard for the written word as completely "complete." That is, if you understand the doctrine, it will save you. Just believe in it; you don't have to do anything else to be saved. My problem is, any form of written language always refers to something greater than itself. It cannot be an "end in itself" in principle; its function is to point to a higher, greater Truth, of which the written word is but a declension. But it seems so many Christians nowadays think that the mastery of the written word as an end-in-itself is what saves. I do not believe this. Indeed, there is a word that describes this attitude: bibliolatry. Bibliolatry substitutes the Holy Bible for God Himself, and His Living Word. The Holy Scriptures cannot be a "reduction" of God, or a God substitute, in any way.

c: 39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me... (John 5:39)

Also....

Galatians 3:24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

bb, I hate to say it, but it sounds like you're repeating anti-Protestant talking points. Nobody claims that doctrine saves or that the Bible saves. Anyone who preaches the gospel will clearly and freely confess Christ as their savior, He alone being the one who saves by His mercy and grace. Forgiveness is a gift, freely given. If it weren't, it wouldn't be a gift, rather something earned.

Nevertheless, Scripture is the special revelation whereby we can know God instead of knowing about Him as the general revelation gives us knowledge.

Scripture is the absolute standard of truth by which we measure everything to determine if it's from God or not. If it doesn't line up with Scripture, it's not from God. Jesus being the child of God conceived through sex between God the Father and Mary, denies the virgin birth and incarnation as clearly taught in Scripture.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Acts 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

However, nobody *worships* the Bible. The charge of *bibliolatry* is unfounded.

The Bible IS complete, in that it contains all we need to come into a saving relationship with God. There is no need for any more special revelation outside of Scripture.

Anyone who so claims what God said isn't enough or complete, falls into the trap of *Did God REALLY say....? that Satan used to deceive Eve.

Mastery of the written word is something we are admonished to attain.

2 Timothy 2:15 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 4:1-4 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.