Much of Christianity has violated the first and second commandment by making a GRAVEN IMAGE out of the Bible. I know, it’s April 1st, but I’m not kidding, and this isn’t an April fools joke. Many have elevated the Bible into an idol, otherwise known as Bibliolatry. Before I go on, let me remind you that I cherish the Bible and see it as sacred to the Christian community to which I belong.
Bibliolatry (Greek biblion “book” + latria “worship”) is the worship of any religious book, but in the case of Christianity, the term bibliolatry is used toward those who either have an extreme devotion to the Bible, or hold to a high view of total biblical inerrancy and infallibility. A Christian’s model should be JESUS.
The GRAVEN IMAGE that Exodus 20:4 speaks of isn’t limited to a statue carved in stone, but a mental image and a mindset that comes from a lower level of consciousness that sees any outer form (Bible, creed, doctrine, confession) as perfect and absolute.
A GRAVEN IMAGE is any mental out-picturing wherein people believe that they possess the complete understanding and instructions of and from God. That is the role of the Spirit that dwells within us- the divine that is within all of us. It is our EGO that has elevated the Bible to a place of infallibility and yet we then must ask- which Bible (Catholic, Protestant, or dozens of others), and which translation (dozens more)?
The answer of course is the Bible and translation that I (we) USE! 
The very things that Jesus came to reveal are voided by placing the Bible on an altar to be worshipped. Listen, not even Jesus wanted to be worshipped, simply FOLLOWED! It’s man’s duality-created world that’s brought the Bible to such an unsupportable position. Bring the Bible back to it’s sacred place, throw off the shackles of infallibility and inerrancy, and seek the Spirit of God (Consciousness) for the gems of truth that are scattered throughout the various books of the library of books called the Bible: whichever one you use.
No foolin! 
The Bible wasn’t written for God, but for man. The Bible still holds to be infallable if one would take into account that the Bible was not written by man, but through man, for man. Just as Jesus says to His disciples there are things you are not yet ready for, The language of God is not yet fully comprehendable, even in that of the Bible. Even thus far with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I could speak Chinese to you all day, but it wouldn’t do us any good. Of course there are places the Bible sounds of ego or social persuasion or almost human. But that’s because it is written for us (humans.)
God is good, God is faithful. We use all these words to ascribe character to God, mostly they are just a reassurance to ourselves due somewhat to lack of faith I suppose. There are times I have to remind myself of these attributes even, but the full faith comes when we can be comfortable and content in that God IS. The Bible gets us there, Jesus was, is and ever shall be there. God IS.
A (P.S.) I suppose. If the Kingdom has no King then it ceases being a Kingdom and at best can only be a petty princedom. Aren’t we told we wrestle against princapalities. Long live the King in our hearts. =) Somewhat cutsie, but a smigen of profoundadity was found by myself. In all things be blessed.
I recently posted an article on a related subject on Monday.
http://agod-sizedpuzzle.blogspot.com/2009/03/beware-truth-might-set-you-free.html
Misquoting Jesus by Bart Ehrman is an incredibly illuminating book that introduces the reader to the field of Textual Criticism. I encourage everyone to read, although the title alone is enough to make some Christians speed walk right past it in the bookstore. I don’t blame them. The first time I saw it I thought “someone else peddling more garbage”. Although later on I was tempted to read it I feared my soul might be in danger for reading such heresy. I even wondered if the cashier was ever asked by curious Christians to place the book in a paper bag so that they wouldn’t be seen purchasing such a challenging book.
It is an illuminating journey taking the reader along to analyze the surviving manuscripts that were used to compile our modern Bible in hope of reconstructing what the originals looked like. Of course if you believe that the transmission of the Bible was guided by God than this is all hogwash; ignore this comment and continue with your day (just don’t let your fellow Christians, and God, know what’s in your paper bag).
Eruesso, we also read that book and with the same reservations. It is interesting to see how much you have traveled the same path although in a different place. Be blessed my friend.
It was not easy to realize that I had broken one of the commandments by idolizing the Bible. Like you Ernie, I do still hold the word in high regard, but in it’s proper place now. I had the opportunity to give this analogy to a stranger this week. I traveled to Hot Springs and bought a map so that I could find my way to various places while there. If I only look at the map and see how to get to the city without ever actually taking the trip then I have not visited the city. I would have been lieing.
If we read the word and understand how to reach a point of having a relationship with the Father, but never actually develope that connection. It is the same as looking at the map of Hot Springs while sitting in Houston and never getting on the road. The Bible is a wonderful map. May we all use it wisely to reach that point in the heart where experiencing God is so beautiful and satisfying.
Eruesso- Know whatcha mean. Bart Ehrman was a wake up call for me and one of the people the Spirit used to get me to SEE the Bible in the appropriate and sacred way that we should. Realizing that saying the Bible is inerrant and infallible is making it a “god-idol” is fearfaul at first, and goes against what many have been taught. But, once there, the SPIRIT then becomes our GUIDE. How could we not want that? Well, I know why, that was just a rhetorical question, I guess.
Paulette: Exactly the point and a great analogy. You can see it on the sour faces of so many Christians who are great students of the word, but really don’t know God, because IF they did, they’d show it on their faces and be the LOVE thy read about. Let’s BE! Let’s LOVE! And let’s affirm the goodness and Godness in all.
Eruesso- I, too, read “Misquoting Jesus” as well as most everything else Bart E. has written. As an historian, I was drawn to his two books on early Christianity. My mouth dropped open as I read about the great variety of early Christian groups and beliefs. These are things they don’t teach you in mainline churches. I am exploring at present the writings of John Shelby Spong and highly recommend the things I have read so far, especially “Liberating the Gospels” and “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism”.
I read “Misquoting Jesus” sometime ago. I think it’s time to re-read that one. I truly enjoy your comments here and on your blog.
Ernie- Don’t you know that the 1st and 2nd commandments don’t apply to the Bible itself……NOT!! Like you said. Which one is the correct translatiion, how do we know which to accept as the right one. Oh, I forgot, God tells us which one is the right translation and which are wrong. I think he also tells us which commentary to use as well since there are thousands of them as well.
Didn’t he give us a mind to figure this out. Does God still speak to us….You bet he/she/the Source does. That still small voice inside me, a part of me, ME….The longer I live, the less I find I understand the complexities of our Source. While at the same time, it is so simple to follow. Our Source loves without condition, speaks to us continually from within, teaches unlike any human teacher (Jesus said we don’t need teachers), and is with us (it cannot be otherwise) every day of this journey…..What can be better than that!
In Matthew 4:4, Jesus told us to live by God’s word. He also told us the Holy Spirit would live in us to help us and bring to remember all that God had said. (John 14:26) As our example, the Lord quoted scripture many times because He knew it was inspired by God and verified its validity when He said that scripture couldn’t be broken (John 10:35). The Holy Spirit will not tell anyone something that violates what God has established as a Biblical principle by which to live. (Psalm 89:34) He does, of course, give us counsel for our individual lives, which the Father knew His children would need.
If we are going to look at everything as black or white and unchanging, then consider that God comes along periodically and changes things considerably. He told Adam what he could eat, after the fall, he changed it, after the flood he changed it again, when the law was handed down he changed it again. After the resurrection he changed it again.
There is a “progression of revelation”, an adjustment that happens periodically in man’s awareness of what is here and how we as spiritual beings function at the physical level. Old things pass away, but the word of God is constantly fresh, constantly there to direct us even in new things, new ways. People awaken, when the spirit moves on them, just as it moved on Adam and suddenly he was aware. Even truth is progressive. It is a fact that I used to drink milk from a bottle. But today that is no longer true. I grew up and now I don’t even need to drink milk. After the age of 2 or 3, the enzymes in our stomach begin to change and we get less and less benefit from milk.
If I refuse the new, fresh manna the spirit brings me every day, then I am left with food that is deteriorating and is no longer adequate.
Ernie,
This is what I was reading about this morning. WOW
I stopped and contemplated and I was brought back to the beginning and asked God what does this mean? This came to me before I read the commentary. I will make it general. Christians are tying to find the truth. There is truth in the Bible, but when it is used as a form of God it is idolatry. When we depend only on one thing it is worshipping that thing. God is in our soul and from there all things flow. When I realized that God is in me then evil cannot touch me etc. I need the bible for the principles of God, but not get distracted and think it is the only way. I used to think this way. It points to the WAY. I am learning when I live in God and He in me I am complete. I lack nothing. I think this is revealed by the Spirit of God. The Bible gives instructions,guidance,and yes wisdom, but the Holy Spirit reveals and brings it to life for me. I don’t have to go searching anymore because it is now real and alive in me. I am now going to live what was revealed to me by the Spirit living in me. I will make mistakes and mess up, but the JOY that comes from knowing when I do, I will not feel condemed or ashamed. It is an ongoing learning experience. Love
Wendy: You got IT girl! I especially love this that you wrote, “It is now real and alive in me. I am now going to live what was revealed to me by the Spirit living in me. I will make mistakes and mess up, but the JOY that comes from knowing when I do, I will not feel condemed or ashamed. It is an ongoing learning experience. Love”
You ARE that LOVE! Bask the JOY of His PRESENCE WITHIN.
Idea: Linda, instead of trying to be the “Devil’s Advocate”, (Just a phrase), why dont you really listen with your heart what people are really feeling and saying from THEIR hearts,and you might (with a God opened mind), might find some new truths for yourself. Instead of trying to “change other people”, why not just try to see what you can change in yourself, to see where other people are on their journey. YOUR TRUTH, may not be THEIR TRUTH, and I really enjoy learning where Spiritually all my GODMINDED family at LRC is headed. It has made me freer in ADMITTING that in my life I told myself I believed what I didnt really believe. I wonder if it is possible for you to go a day and dialog with people without your scriptures. Do you think you know more “scripture” than Ernie or these people above you are commenting? Listen to what THEY are saying, and the TRUTHS that are revealed to them through the same GOD you say you know. In love , respect their journey. You are stuck on page one and they are “finishing the novel”. Everyday you cant wait to get out of bed and “find the verse”. Is that “compulsive excessive”. You are not “making a difference”. If your goal is to “save (again) Ernie and the pack, then look in the mirror. ARE YOUR REALLY doing GOD’S bidding. Do YOU really listen at what is being said, or just where you can “debate” the daily commentary. Everyone expresses (that I have spoken to) love for you but a little “worn out” . Address some issues “you have” and deal with those. If the covering is being lifted from LRC then you really need to not be exposed to and uncovered ministry and find a tent more in your direction. I am hanging on Ernie’s coattail and others that I read to really get to EXPERIENCE GOD. Do you not think Richard Rohr knows God? Paulette? Eruesso, Jesse, Lyn, Cynthia, Don. Expand your heart, KNOWLEGDE, and mind and you may be a more cheerful person. I just get sad thinking you could get so much out of such a special place like LRC where the people not only are learning more about WHO GOD really is, but enjoying the RELATIONSHIP. Just dont quote scripture to me , because when Ernie quotes scripture, he puts meaning, love and a “meditated, thought out journey” in them that they reach my heart. With you, it is just “quoted words”. Like to me, when Obama (sorry Cynthia) “reads” his teleprompter. I dont know You, or God through you. I just know you are who you are,and still loved by us. Just “worn out ” with being beat over the head with chapters and verses.
Geo, I agree that the word of God is alive. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us of that. I also agree that God’s revealation of His nature is progressive. What the Old Testament patriarchs heard from God is valid; they didn’t have as much understanding of God’s mercy, as they were under law, not grace. Even so, when you look carefully at the Old Testament, you see glorious glimpses of the mercy and grace of God.
Beverly, God has told me repeatedly to live by His word and speak the truth of it boldly. When I quote the Bible, I am saying what God has already said. It’s your decision to accept what the Bible says or reject it.
Linda- I have one question. Will God’s love and mercy fail anyone? I believe that God’s love is greater than anything, even in the Old Testament it says that Gods mercy endures forever. Love Dan
Linda, my darling friend, I dont reject what the Bible says, just as it being “used as a weapon against me”. I try to “live the words” and not try to be so “deceived” that God tells me to try and hammer my “bible “knowlege and making me a personal “messanger ” from God Himself (Herself) to “save others from their sinful ways. I dont claim to be a messenger from God to do HIS job for him. You are not helping people, you are being a “bibical bore”…(sorry
I am no less a Christian than yourself. I just know God through the “fruits” and not just “reading scriptures”.
oops, think that Bible is something like “no weapon formed against me”.
Ernie,
I understand what you mean about evil. With loving friends and wise counsel from LRC FAMILY,and reading that opened my heart to receive what God wants for me.
Everyone wants the same thing and that is to know God. We all are not at the same level, but we love each other. There might be a word/words spoken that just opens a heart, heals a wound that is deep or closes it. I am learning this daily with my family and so far it has a healing effect when words are spoken that can open a heart.
Dan, God’s love never fails. Jesus did make it clear that men have a choice whether or not to receive His love. In John 5:40, Jesus told the Jews, “You are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life.” God was offering, but they refused to accept.
Absolutely “God’s love never fails”. Everything else will pass away, but LOVE never fails and will never pass away. It is eternal. LOVE ALWAYS succeeds. We were created by love. Would the creator allow anything to escape completion? NOTHING gets wasted or lost. John 5:40 reads like they didn’t accept it at that moment, just like many of us today don’t accept it umpteen times before we too believe. Once the spirit reveals the truth to us, then our understanding changes. Imagine how radical Jesus’ teachings were to the law worshipping people of that day. That’s all they knew until Jesus came.
Centuries later, some accept truth as soon as they hear it, and other don’t until later. Nothing separates us from the love of God. Not even our blindness, our deafness, our tradition. Love never fails. God’s love never fails. There is no other love. Human love isn’t God’s love.
Then to me that is saying the God’s love not greater then man’s choice.
Linda God’s love and grace has just total change the way I used to see things.Paul said that we can even measure the love of God in our minds because it is greater.
I thank God for you and the love that He has open your heart to may see His love grow in your heart and mind.
Love Dan
Dan, to me God’s love for man is great enough to allow men to choose. That choice also shows us God’s incomprehensible desire for His creation to want to be with Him.
It’s even greater that God first loved us!
Yes grace is free, but love costs dearly. I wince for I may get stoned from the concession in here for breaking out such an archaic scripture. John 3:16. =) But let us not forget that love is sacrificial by nature. Love is the fulfillment of the law, but the fulfillment of love is death/selflessness. John 15:13. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Whereas when we try to love God we shall find ourselves triing to obey His commandments, but when we die to ourselves for His sake we shall find ourselves obeying them regardless. We say ‘His sake,’ but most Christians know that the best thing to do for all creation is cultivate themselves for His indwelling. John 17 Jesus biggest written prayer. Verse :24 reveals Jesus will/desire/wish for all that are called, but as well for Him. We can deliver that to Him. If we have accepted Him, then He is in our hearts are we there as well?