BIBLIOLATRY

Several years ago a gospel preacher had a long discussion with a man (who was then preaching
for a church of Christ in the Carolinas), who had a broad liberal streak right down the middle of his
theology. He made a statement to the following effect: “You have become so strong in urging
people to follow the Bible that you have forgotten Christ and become bibliolatrists.” This did not
disturb the gospel preacher then (nor does it disturb us now) because one could not forget Christ
while honoring and loving His Word, nor fail to preach Christ while preaching the Word and the
fact that it derives all of its authority from Christ. In fact, the gospel preacher knew (and pointed this
out to the liberal preacher) that even he had to depend on the Bible for everything he knew or could
know about Christ or anything else that pertains to the will of God for man. The only possible thing
any man can preach about Christ must be preached from the Bible. The Bible is the revealed will of
God (the revelation of Jesus Christ) and no man can preach that will (or preach Christ) without in-
stilling love and appreciation for it--for all that it is and all that it says. Anyone who preaches the
will of God, must therefore, preach the Bible.
This conversation brings to mind a quote from E. G. Schols from The Study in the Gospel Ac-
cording to Matthew, a book published by J. Cunddylan Jones in 1881:
“Some of our popular preachers have been descanting of late upon what they call ‘bib-
liolatry’--idolatry of the Bible. These people, they contest, I conjecture, make too much of
the Bible. I wish I knew where such people live. I should like to go and live amongst them.
The people I know make too little of the Bible, a great deal too little. They read it too little,
study it too little, believe it too little. I would travel far to see an idolater of the Bible. I have
not seen one yet. The truth is, that for us to love Christ supremely is not idolatry of His
human nature; so to believe the Bible intensely is not idolatry of mere thoughts and words.”
That’s it precisely!
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: The less truth a church has, the more fun and games and gim-
micks it takes to keep it going!
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse