The Bible is NOT the Center of Christianity
The Bible is NOT the center of Christianity.
Fight me.
Just kidding… Please be nice.
Earlier this year I wrote a post called Everything in the Bible is True… BUT. It even got picked up by Relevant Magazine. The article looked into several misconceptions about Biblical inerrancy. While the Bible is true, there are a few BUTs. One of the points I made in the article was that while the Bible is true, it’s not the center of Christianity. That point caused more than a few people to give a little push back. Which is great, I like some push back! But I thought a little more in-depth look would be beneficial on this one point.
The Bible Is Written About The Center of Christianity
The Bible is not the center of Christianity, but rather it is written about the center of Christianity: Jesus.
Jesus is the center of Christianity. I think Andy Stanley sums it up well: Christianity does not exist because of the Bible any more than you exist because of your birth certificate. Your birth certificate documents something that happened. If you lose it you do not go out of existence. Andy Stanley
The reason that millions of the people claim the title “Christian” today is because of Jesus. The reason so many churches exist today is because 2,000 years ago Jesus entered into the world, made a bunch of crazy claims about being God, was killed, and then backed up all the crazy things he said by rising from the dead. Thus proving all those claims to be true. The foundation for Christianity is based firmly on Jesus.
Perhaps one of the best summarizations in the Bible is John 3:16-17. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Jesus makes it clear that he is the center of our faith. The Bible makes it clear that it centers around him. It’s the church that sometimes loses sight of that. We like to place the Bible as the center. Hear me on this, the Bible is important. I’m not trying to say we should just throw the Bible out, more on that later.
We need to recognize that the Christian faith centers around Jesus and the work he did. The Bible tells us about what he did, and it tells us how we should live in light of what he did. But the Bible is not the center of Christianity.
The Dangers When We Make the Bible the Center
The evidence of the Bible being the center of Christianity is easily seen in our culture. The church is known for what it stands against, or better yet who it stands against. And we are totally justified in that stance because the Bible says so. The Bible says it, that settles it. That’s what happens when the Bible becomes the center of our faith. It becomes a tool that we can beat people with. It’s the truth and anyone against is is wrong. Sadly this has been played out over and over again.
That’s not the purpose of the Bible. It’s not what our lives center around. It doesn’t have that level of authority. But Jesus does. He’s the reason the Bible has power. He’s the reason we have faith today. And it’s under his authority that we are to live our lives differently once we follow him. The Bible tells us that story. The story of God redeeming creation and the story (really many stories) of the human experience. But the Bible itself is not the authority. Jesus is.
I’m not saying that if we focus on the Bible that will always lead us to beat people with it. But when we only focus on the Bible it often leads to a self-righteousness (just look at the Pharisees). When the Bible is the center of our faith the goal becomes increased knowledge. While knowledge isn’t bad, our pursuit isn’t solely based on knowledge. Our pursuit should be of a growing relationship with Jesus and looking more like him in our actions.
Knowledge without a relationship often leads to self-righteousness; i.e. I’m better than you. If we focus instead of Jesus and go to the Bible with that in mind we will come out with an attitude more like his and a relationship that is growing deeper. Again I’m not saying knowledge or reading the Bible isn’t important. It is important, but it’s not the chief goal of Christians. The main goal is relationships. With God. And with those around us.
Don’t Throw the Bible Out
One of the main arguments against this view is that it undermines the authority of Scripture. I don’t think that’s the case. I think this views puts Scripture in it’s proper place, behind the center of Christianity. And it adds to the effectiveness of utilizing Scripture for growth.
Hear me out. The purpose of the Bible is to teach us about Jesus and how we should live in light of what he has done. The Bible is the primary source in which we can know what Jesus has done. And secondarily how we should then live because of what Jesus has done.
Though the Bible is not the center of our faith it plays a pivotal role in Christianity. Without the witnesses that wrote the stories down we wouldn’t have the level of evidence and reason for our faith today. Without the Bible we wouldn’t know what to do and how to live our faith out. While it’s not the center, it is important. Very important.
We should read it. We should study it. We should let the words, the stories, and the truth found in it’s pages affect our lives. It’s a fascinating and life-changing book.
A great book on the background of the Bible that I HIGHLY recommend is Philip Yancey’s The Bible Jesus Read.
The reason we have hope today is because of what Jesus did. Christianity does not rise and fall on the Bible. Rather it rises and falls on Jesus dying and rising again. The Bible, while very important, is not the center of Christianity.
The goal of a Christian ought not to be increased knowledge through Bible study. The goal of a Christian ought to be a deeper relationship with God. AND a life that reflects the love that he has for us. Of course the Bible can, and should, help us in our relationship with God and affect how we treat those around us. It is a means to an end and not the end in itself.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you think the Bible is the center of Christianity? What has lead you to that belief?
I agree it’s all about Jesus, BUT: it all would’ve meant nothing unless God raised Jesus from the dead.
I grew up in a church that took every word literally. They believed that instruments were not allowed during worship service. They said they were the only ones going to heaven since they taught and “followed” Jesus. They think they earned salvation through baptism. They made the Bible an answer book.
This view didn’t help relationships among the people grow. And my relationship with God suffered because I felt I always had to earn God’s favor or love. I struggled with depression for years because of this church. I am gradually getting better and this blog has helped a lot by changing the way I think and bringing me to much more helpful perspectives. Thank you so much!
“We should read it. We should study it.” “The goal of a Christian ought not be increased knowledge through Bible study.” These are two quotes from this article that totally contradict each other. Why would we ever tell anyone that a goal of theirs should not be to increase their knowledge through studying the Bible? That is crazy. You cannot separate Jesus from the word of God. The very word of God IS God according to God and John. John 1:1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. Reading the Bible tells us who God is and what he wants from us. We are promised that by reading the word of God we will grow and come to know Him. What believer wouldn’t benefit from this and want this?
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:9 How can person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
Matthew 7:24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wiseman who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, “It is written ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that goes from the mouth of God'”.
Psalm 56:4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust and am not afraid.
James 1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word which can save you.
John 1:14 The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only son, who came from the Father full of grace and truth.
Proverbs 4:20 My son, pay attention to what I say, turn your ear to the word, do not let the word out of your sight, keep the word within your heart.
1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, comma, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
I could go on and on, there are many more like this. I agree that we can beat people with the Bible but we can do that with Jesus too. You cannot separate the two, the Bible without Jesus is just a book of lies. But Jesus without the Bible isn’t enough to save us, without it we don’t know who He is and can’t be obedient to Him. We cannot be saved and forgiven without repentance. The Bible tells us this, it is our instruction from Him and it is TRUTH.
The essay reminds me of a phrase I’ve heard a few times in my life: “We worship Father, Son and Holy Spirit, not Father, Son and Holy Bible!”
The common denominator was that they were convicted of something in the Scriptures they could not, and would not, accept.
Love this! Thank you Jesus for your Word???
Great article!
laceduplutheran posted: “But when it (the Bible) is a tool that helps us see, hear, and understand the Trinity, then it is useful.”
The Trinity (father, Son and Holy Spirit) is written only once in the Bible–Matthew 28:19. The word “Trinity” is not there. When I SEE the complete verse I do not see a triangle. I SEE a cross with all nations (all humans) on the foot of the cross on earth.
Jesus spoke his authority also through the cross in the previous verse Matthew 19:18.
Jesus also quoted Isaiah 6:10 when he said one must both SEE and hear in order to both perceive and understand. Otherwise one will get NOTHING.(Mat 13:17)
Amen! Thank you for writing this. You are right on target. We aren’t Biblians, we are Christians – followers of Christ. Luther talked about finding the Word within the word. In other words, finding Jesus in the word of Scripture. When the Bible is the center of Christianity, we have made it an idol that is worshiped. But when it is a tool that helps us see, hear, and understand the Trinity, then it is useful. When the bible helps us to live out the faith that we have been given, then it is a useful tool. When it assists us in the growth of our relationship with God, then it is a useful tool. This reminds me of a Buddist saying that I think applies to this – Don’t confuse the finger pointing to the moon with the moon. The same is true of the Bible. Don’t confuse the Bible, which points towards God, with God.
I liked your article. It made me think. Never discount that Jesus is the living Word. Scripture is the Word of God. The Bible is the Word of God. The Holy Spirit speaks truth, glorifying Jesus…the Word. I would be extremely hesitant to set the Word of God, the very force which created all things, in a secondary role (or perceived secondary role). One of the methods of spiritual discernment is to determine if the subject of discernment is in alignment with Scripture. The Holy Spirit will not contradict Himself. One way we submit to God the Father is by submitting to His Word. I’m on board with the heart that wrote this article, because I think it is well intentioned and there is a call for compassion and mercy behind it all. I’m not ultimately on board with the conclusions. You may not see it yet, but this article will read differently to you through various phases of your walk with Jesus. And what a great walk it probably already is, and what a great walk it will be. God bless.
Good points. Definitely worth “rethinking.” Without Jesus there would be no bible. He’s the center of it all!
Yes, and thanks again. The Gospel message of Christ crucified and resurrected is the means of salvation through faith and “union with Christ” is the end.
So Yes, Christ is the reality.
By the Living Word I mean “union with Christ Himself” . In Canada we have a population that has educated themselves out of reality so I react from that perspective. No one speaks of God unless they actually mean it. We really have a limited Christian para-culture.
The self actualization of Sarah Young style self Guided Christian journal is rather thin.
Thanks for clarifying, ha ha.
Now you just knew you’d get push back on that one didn’t you?
My two cents come in right about….Now. I agree with what you say and yet I am reminded of the conversation with Jesus and his disciples on the road to Emmaus .( Which comes from the bible)
Where Jesus walked them through the O.T. scriptures and showed how they were all written of Himself.
Now I get personal….
When I wanted to know the truth about Christianity and Jesus Christ ( not growing up in a Christian Home) I knew that I would have to go to the source of the faith ( the Bible) I read all 4 gospels and the book of Acts in about a week. The Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin and of the Salvation on Christ alone. I bowed my knees and heart to submit and ask for forgiveness.
When I decided that I should go to Church I could tell who preached the Gospel and how to live out of the Gospel and who didn’t. If I had gone to the wrong church first I would have had to come the long way round provided I found a faithful Church.
Of course the Bible is not the source but it leads to the soursce and answers the all important question.
Has God Spoken?
Yes through His word and His final word is The Living Word. But to have accurate Truth you need the scripture.
Oh one more thing< I was shocked to find that some people who went to church hadn't even read through all 4 gospels never mind the whole bible. yet they were reading things like "The Shack". yikes.
Push back is always (almost) a good thing!
Let me add one thing to your point. You said His word is the final word. I don’t think that’s true. The leaving message of Jesus was that the word is now living inside us, the Holy Spirit. We can find truth in the Bible. But that’s not the only place. The truth is living inside every person that follows Jesus. Just like you explained in your story, the spirit spoke to you.
The Bible is not the final word. The word is alive and active in us. We can and should go to the Bible to learn as you have said. However we can at the same time seek the spirit in us for the truth, help, encouragement, and whatever we need.
To your final point… I can’t say I’m surprised anymore about people not knowing even just the Gospels. But it is disheartening. While I actually think The Shack is a very valuable book that offers a unique perspective. A Christian should be more familiar with than Bible than that book or any book for that matter.
I appreciate your thoughts! I enjoyed reading your story.
Insightful post. I have recently been looking deeply into 1 Corinthians 13, what we call the love chapter. I find it interesting that we typically skip over verses 1 through 3 and go immediately to verses 4 through 8, sometimes adding 9 through 14. Why is that true? The first three verses tell us what love is not. Verses 4 and on tell us what love is.
It seems to me that is the point of your post. Without the love that only the Holy Spirit can build in our lives, we have knowledge, but we are a clanging cymbal, we are nothing and gain nothing. If Biblical knowledge is our goal, we are not following Jesus, we are seeking knowledge. If loving and serving our Lord is our goal, the knowledge found in Scripture can be used by the Holy Spirit to guide us moment by moment.
That’s an interesting observation on 1 Corinthians 13. I think we skim over the first section because that illuminates our lack of love.
You are right, that was my hope for the post. Seeing the Bible as a way to increase our love for God and others and not the end goal in itself. In our culture we often seek more knowledge, but not transformation. We are arguably the smartest people to ever live; at least if you allow google. But we put a very small amount of our knowledge into practice.
Great article, Jeffrey. Wrote a long post to engage with you on this. But unfortunately this comment box is hard to work with (at least from an iPhone). Even drafted my comment in Notes but can’t paste it in. So let me just say that I greatly appreciate the content, tone, spirit and writing style in this post. Best wishes, Paul
Unfortunately the comment box is difficult on mobile. I switched to a new hosting platform and the comment section needs some work. My apologies!
I’d love to hear your comments at some point! Thanks for reading!
All things must be Christ-centered. 🙂
You are right, we are often drawn to knowledge and not Jesus. Probably because it’s easier to gain knowledge and harder to be transformed.
Amen! Knowledge of the written word is often prioritized over knowing The Word – Jesus Himself. He is the source of the written word, and we can’t truly understand his words without personally knowing his heart and having his Spirit living inside us, illumining the written word for us.