Can we make an idol of our Bible

No, I am not a fanatic!  I do not sleep with my "King James", nor will I be buried with my own personal "King Jimmy" when I die.  Sentimental attachment?  Nope!  Emotional value or a hints of nostalgia?  Never!  I might use it as a doorstop or a glue weight when there is nothing else around that's handy.  Furthermore, I would not be scared to dump or incinerate one when it got too old and tatty.  If people go over board here (as some people always tend to do in any area of faith - that's religion for you, not God) then it is not my problem but theirs.  It is also not God's problem.  It's not the material fabric (the pages made of paper nor the book's cover itself) we follow, but the words (whether scribed, penned or punched on a keyboard) which are spirit, "and they are life", as the good Book testifies to.  So please read on:

One of the most common accusations against 'Authorized Bible people' is they have become so caught up in one book by God, they have become idolaters because they actually worship the Authorized instead of God.  A scripture they might quote here is John 5:39:

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."

In other words, "you're too caught up in the Book but not the Person!"

Now doesn't that sound koool!!!   The very reason they say we are caught up in the Book is the very same reason we are caught up by the Person Christ Jesus our Lord, who inspired and guided the Book in the first place so He could say:

 ...  "they (that's the scriptures contained in the Book) are they which testify of me."

This is confirmed by Psalms 40:7:

"in the volume of the book it is written of me."

You want to know Jesus, then you need to know the Book.  Want a relationship with God, then be confident, without wavering, in the Book you are reading, as the very God breathed and autographed words themselves.  There's no alternative folks!

Also, the people who Jesus were speaking to here had the same problem as Catholics, Judaizers, and all religionists have today ...  they were placing the word of God on a par with their tradition or culture, which of course cancels out the word (Matt. 15: 3 & 6), as the word of God stands alone.  I think Matthew 22:29 is appropriate here:

"Yea do err, not knowing the scriptures."

In regards to worshiping the word, or elevating it to some place of importance it doesn't deserve, as some would put it, let's allow the word to speak for itself:

Acts 13:48 ...  "when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord."

I thought we were only supposed to glorify Jesus?  But scripture reveals they are one and the same ...  "they (the scriptures) which testify of me (Jesus)."  In "the volume of the book (the scriptures) it is written of me (Jesus)."

Again,  2nd. Thes. 3:1 says  ... "that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified."

But the excuses keep coming:

"The star only pointed to Jesus.  So if the wise men had worshiped the star instead of finding Jesus, they would've missed the mark. Therefore, let us use scripture to find Jesus and not worship scripture!"

Wow, sounds awesome this time!!  Choooice Maaan!!  The scripture reveal the first point is true but not the second (1 + 1 must equal 2 to be true).  The star was not our daily bread, nor was it our rock to build our faith on, nor is it the Christian's guide is it, because it is written:

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Many follow stars today whether they be horoscopes,  movie "stars", sport "stars", or rock "stars".  The reason these people are over paid with phenomenal incomes and perks (who owns who?). Some have even made their minister or pastor into a super star.  Some, sadly, even try to hitch a ride behind a comet with tragic consequences.  All these things the Bible plainly warns against.  Also, man spends billions on technology while millions starve, thinking he can reach the stars and find life's answers, because he does not want the truth.  He does not want to admit that God is true and therefore His word is true.  This would mean Jesus was right after all, as the scriptures declare:

"I am the way the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

If man believed this, then all would be saved on the condition of what scripture said.  This has nothing to do with thanking your lucky stars or knowing your 'sign' by the way (Amos 5:26).  Live by the "stars" and you will end up like them, lost and aimless.  Jesus said:

 ...  "if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples (followers) indeed".

Stars, whether they be great people or popular personalities, mystical powers or heavenly phenomenon's, are corruptible.  However, Bible believers have been born again by the incorruptible word of God.  How do we know this?  Simply because the good Book says so!  Furthermore, notice how scripture gives so much pre-eminence to the scriptures:

• Rom.  4:3.  "For what saith the scripture (in regards to Abraham)?"

• Rom.  9:17 ...  "the scripture saith unto Pharaoh."

• Rom. 11:2 ...  "the scripture saith of Elias?"
  

They don't say here,  "the Lord saith!"  No, "the scripture saith"!

• Gal.  3:8 ...  "the scripture foreseeing that God would."
  

Wow!!  Can scripture look into or know the future?


• Gal.  3:22 ...  "the scripture hath concluded all under sin."
  

Can scripture really think like this?  Can scripture make judgements?  Can scripture make predictions?  Sounds like final authority to me!

Doesn't the scripture have a ring to it; like a Person, like Divinity?  With breath, with spirit, as well as authority?  How many more facts do we need?


• "The scripture is holy" (2 Timothy 3:15).  Meaning pure, without blemish or corruption.
 
• "Of  truth" (Daniel 10:21).  Meaning true, without error or mistake.  Infallible.

Ps. 19:8.  "The statutes of the LORD are right".

Ps. 19:8 ...  "the commandment of the LORD is pure".

Ps. 19:9 ...  "the judgments of the LORD are true".

Ps. 19:7.  "The law of the LORD is perfect".

Ps. 19:7 ...  "the testimony of the LORD is sure".

Ps. 119:142 ...  "thy law is the truth."

Ps. 119:151 ...  "all thy commandments are truth."

Ps. 119:160.  "Thy word is true from the beginning".

John 17:17 ...  "thy word is truth."

2 Tim. 3:16.  "All scripture is given by inspiration of God".

Rev. 21:5 ...  "Write: for these words are true and faithful."

God's divine imprint

In addition, Psalm 119 is the largest chapter in the Bible containing 176 verses, and every verse except three, refer directly to the word of God.  Isn't that amazing?  Well, it can't be ignored!  Let's look at the first seven verses f'instance (remembering seven means completion) where these words are used over and over again throughout the Psalm, proving the word to be true, faithful and trusted:

1.  Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

2.  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

3.  They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

4.  Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

5.  O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

6.  Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7.  I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgements.

All the above words emphasized are different variations for the word of God with the purpose of making different statements in regards to the word.  As I write this I have just discovered (apart from using the term 'thy word' speaking for itself,  plus the three verses mentioned along with another verse rendering 'ordinance' for the word) the seven words are used in every other verse throughout this Psalm.  Some of the new age versions use different wording thereby missing out on this divine in-built pattern.  Let's take a closer look at the seven colours of this rainbow feature, sealed by God, regarding the word of God:

1.  "The law of the Lord" ...  God's established rule, guidelines to live by ...  the word of God.  Opposite to anarchy and lawlessness or being a lord unto yourself.

Of course the above pattern throughout Psalm 119 would not have been planned by the Psalmist as he penned these words of inspiration, but proves they were divinely inspired, confirming the perfection of scripture:

2 Sam. 22:31.  "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him."

The word - higher than His name

Last of all we must consider this very important scripture:

Ps. 138:2 ... "thou hast magnified they word above all thy name."

Get this:  God has made His word above the name of Jesus!  If you read the above verse in most modern translations you will miss the point completely (and know doubt it's deliberately rendered so). For they read:

RSV ...  "thou hast exalted above everything thy name and thy word".  (emphasis mine)  Changing the meaning completely;  the word and name being on equal status.

NASB ...  "Thou hast magnified Thy word according to all They name." (emphasis mine)  Again changing the meaning completely.  The Lord's name put above His word this time.  Reversed roles.

And why has the Lord magnified His word above His name?  Answer is simple!  We have witnessed through history many armies that have gone out in God's name killing, pillaging, raping and maiming.  But has it been scriptural?  Definitely not New Testament!  Many prophets have prophesied many strange off-beat things in Gods name.  But has God told them to?  No way:

Jer. 27:15.  "For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name".

Think of the many 'weird and wonderful' things done in Jesus name today, without scriptural backing?  Get the drift!  What is done in Jesus' name must always line up with scripture first, or else it's not of God.  The name of Jesus is very important.  But it is simply not enough.  It must always be backed up by authority of the Holy Book.  The two are inseparable and must go hand in hand.

In regards to the accusation of worshiping the Book, it must be mentioned the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the most precious and exalted name there is, and is the only name by which man can be saved.  Praise God He has told us so by His word.  This is because God has made His word His final back-up in everything that pertains to life, faith, and practice.  Therefore, we cannot help but exalt, magnify, glorify, and elevate the word of God, as contained in the scriptures within the pages of the book called the Holy Bible, to a place of prominence and pre-eminence in everything we do ...

"that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified."

You can keep following your pastor hero, minister, or guru.  Or you could make and conclude the scriptures as your final authority in everything.