Former Protestants: Do some Protestants worship the Bible as an Idol?

[rr1213]

Actually it’s our Third World priests who give the best homilies…

Often, although not always, the best teachers tend to be the most orthodox believers. It appears that orthodoxy is more common in the third world than in the US or Canada. It is certainly true of the Anglican Communion and, from your comments, may be true of the Catholic Church as well. I would disagree about interaction with Protestants in the third world though. For example, the Anglican Church is very strong in Nigeria and I must assume that there is some sort of interaction between the two Churches there. There are no doubt other examples from other Protestant/Evangelical Churches as well in other parts of the world.

 

[Sandi]

I’m Protestant and this is the first I’ve ever heard of such a thing.

 

[jmcrae]

Often, although not always, the best teachers tend to be the most orthodox believers. It appears that orthodoxy is more common in the third world than in the US or Canada. It is certainly true of the Anglican Communion and, from your comments, may be true of the Catholic Church as well. I would disagree about interaction with Protestants in the third world though. For example, the Anglican Church is very strong in Nigeria and I must assume that there is some sort of interaction between the two Churches there. There are no doubt other examples from other Protestant/Evangelical Churches as well in other parts of the world.

I don’t know. I do know that our pastor (who is from the Philippines) didn’t even know what Protestantism was when he first arrived here - he thought they were just really badly catechized Catholics. He was horrified when he found out that they reject the authority of the Pope; he said, “Don’t they realize that they will go to Hell for that?” Uh, no, Father, they don’t.

Our associate pastor came from India, and he has had experiences of something called the “Four Square Gospel” which he despises and considers totally heretical. He tells the story of a woman he knew in Goa who joined that church and then expected to be able to receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church as well - I guess he ordered her to get out of the Church when she came forward to receive from him, because he had seen her proseletyzing Catholics to join up with “Four Square Gospel” in front of the Church before the start of the Mass, and he knew that she had not been to Confession since then.

 

[MariaG]

Superstition is as really a sin as abortion or murder - it is always objectively wrong; & it is a long way from Catholic teaching to defend it.​

The only question is, whether in a particular instance what is called superstitious, is in fact so. The sacraments are not - though they can be, & have been, treated in a superstitious manner. But of themselves, they are good, holy, life-giving; as is the Bible.

But is this the opinion of Kevan, the one whom the post was directed? Does Kevan believe that the sacraments in and of themselves are superstitious or just can be used that way?

OTOH, it’s hard to see how burying an image of St.Joseph to sell a house is not superstitious. The difference between doing that, & (say) baptism, is that there is a connection between the sacramental action, the effect intended, & the effect conferred. Baptism uses water, to effect the interior cleansing of which water, by washing the body, is a natural external sign. Statue-burying is more like magic, because there is no intrinsic connnection between statue-burying, & selling a house: statues of that saint are no more connected with that supposed effect as the cause of that effect, than burying a rabbit’s foot would be. ##

And I have stated as much. One would be better off to place a St. Joseph statue in a visable place in order to remind one to pray more often on the issue than use the statue like a rabbit’s foot.

Then maybe some Catholics might like to stop accusing Protestants in that way ## ## Maybe that applies to Catholic criticisms of Protestant “bibliolatry” too ?​

I would agree and if you read MY posts, you will see that I have defended non-Catholics against the ridiculous charge of “biblolatry”.

Respectfully,
Maria

 

[Kevan]

You aresubmitting a strawman argument. The one asking is proposing nothing of the sort. He is only proposing him to stop taking his Bible to church for one year. The mind will create it’s own presupposed proposals.

But back to your presupposed proposal.

Hereby you illustrate the deficiency of your original query, which everyone you called “stupid” was trying to point out. The question cannot be addressed unless somebody fills in the blanks. I meekly filled some in and you respond with [see above].

Have you ever considered giving the Pastor 100% of your undivided attention instead of givng partial attention.

In our church, the pastor says “turn to this passage and follow along as I read.” Then he says “now look at this other passage.” Sometimes he quotes from memory, but expects anyone who thinks he needs to see it in writing to flip to that passage and check him.

So you see, if someone told me to not take my Bible to church, he’d be telling me not to engage in an essential part of my church’s religion.

Would someone like to call that bibliolatry?

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

But is this the opinion of Kevan, the one whom the post was directed? Does Kevan believe that the sacraments in and of themselves are superstitious or just can be used that way?

I can’t answer on behalf of him - I don’t know his mind on the matter; only he does. ​

And I have stated as much. One would be better off to place a St. Joseph statue in a visable place in order to remind one to pray more often on the issue than use the statue like a rabbit’s foot.

I would agree and if you read MY posts, you will see that I have defended non-Catholics against the ridiculous charge of “biblolatry”.

Respectfully,
Maria

I have, some of them least - I thought you were defending that statue business; then I was not sure. My apologies for the misunderstanding.​

 

[MariaG]

I have, some of them least - I thought you were defending that statue business; then I was not sure. My apologies for the misunderstanding.​

I am defending both.

I find the charge of “biblolatry” ridiculous when referring the the average non-Catholic Christian. I find the charge of idolatry equally ridiculous of the average Catholic Christian.

There may be exceptions in both:shrug: But I get really tired of what seems to be the attitude, which I get from many of my fundamental friends as well as here online that even though I personally may not be guilty of idol worship Catholicism makes it easier to do so.

Only if one does not undrestand the Christ centeredness could it ever be easier to do so.

And apology accepted

God Bless,
Maria

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

No. However, it was held in very high esteem.

I remember getting really upset with a kid in Sunday School one time, who deliberately threw his Bible on the floor. I felt that he was being extremely disrespectful.

I still get upset when I see Bibles with broken spines, or if there are pages falling out of them due to neglect and abuse.

OTOH - “A Bible falling apart, is evidence of a Christian who isn’t” (or something like that).

It’s a good saying ##

 

[MariaG]

OTOH - “A Bible falling apart, is evidence of a Christian who isn’t” (or something like that).

It’s a good saying ##

I like that:thumbsup: I always love to see a well loved bible, although I do sometimes suggest they get them fixed

 

[Sixtus]

I hae come across Protestants [not usually mainstream] who elevate the Bible to a level of worship which mainstream Protestants and Catholics reserve for God alone.

This seems a paradox as it is usually these very folk who then condemn Catholics for honouring and paying respect to religious artefacts.

It seems it is idolatrous to venerate an aid to meditation but it is ok to venerate a book!

This seems a case of ‘the kettle calling the pot’!

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

I am defending both.

I find the charge of “biblolatry” ridiculous when referring the the average non-Catholic Christian. I find the charge of idolatry equally ridiculous of the average Catholic Christian.

There may be exceptions in both:shrug: But I get really tired of what seems to be the attitude, which I get from many of my fundamental friends as well as here online that even though I personally may not be guilty of idol worship Catholicism makes it easier to do so.

I think that each has its pet idolatries, and that both are capable of leading to idolatry, but of non-identical sorts.​

I think this follows from our being fallen creatures in a created world ##

Only if one does not undrestand the Christ centeredness could it ever be easier to do so.

And apology accepted

God Bless,
Maria

Thanks ​

 

[JoeyWarren]

I’m Protestant and this is the first I’ve ever heard of such a thing.

The thing is they don’t recognize it as worship because it’s the Bible!

 

[lak611]

The thing is they don’t recognize it as worship because it’s the Bible!

Huh?

 

[Sandi]

The thing is they don’t recognize it as worship because it’s the Bible!

Well, since I’m Protestant and am well-versed in my faith, I think I’d know more about it than you, unless you are currently Protestant too.

I think most Protestants would recognize “bible worship” if they see it. We’re at least as smart as Catholics, even if you think we’re not.

 

[Grace_Seeker]

I hae come across Protestants [not usually mainstream] who elevate the Bible to a level of worship which mainstream Protestants and Catholics reserve for God alone.

How is this significantly different from those who are always taking pilgrimages to this shrine and that shrine?

This seems a paradox as it is usually these very folk who then condemn Catholics for honouring and paying respect to religious artefacts.

It seems it is idolatrous to venerate an aid to meditation but it is ok to venerate a book!

This seems a case of ‘the kettle calling the pot’!

The rest of your post I would agree with.

 

[Grace_Seeker]

The thing is they don’t recognize it as worship because it’s the Bible!

Using the Bible as a tool to aid one’s worship of God is NOT equivalent to worshipping the Bible. Not saying that some people aren’t guilty of worshipping the Bible, but it just isn’t normative.

And saying that I want to have my tools with me when I go to worship and don’t want to go without them for a year is not proof of anything other than that I like to be well-equipped to worship.

Personally, I would hope that even if you don’t need your Bible with you in worship, that you would not want someone to tell you that you had to leave it home for a Sunday, let alone year. I thought only Communist and Muslim countries would ever say to someone, “If you’re coming here, leave your Bible at home.” Now you are telling me that some priest in a Catholic Church is basically saying the same thing. For shame! I’m glad he doesn’t represent all of the Catholic Church.

 

[Kevan]

But is this the opinion of Kevan, the one whom the post was directed? Does Kevan believe that the sacraments in and of themselves are superstitious or just can be used that way?

No, I was not thinking of those ordinary Catholic practices with which I disagree. I was referring to the “folk religion” which is widespread and tolerated. I think that it is much more common among practicing Catholics than among practicing Protestants.

I am surprised to hear that your priest has spoken clearly about St. Joseph Realty. I see that I was wrong and that such priests do exist.

 

[JoeyWarren]

Well, since I’m Protestant and am well-versed in my faith, I think I’d know more about it than you, unless you are currently Protestant too.

I think most Protestants would recognize “bible worship” if they see it. We’re at least as smart as Catholics, even if you think we’re not.

I was born and raised a Pentecostal. My paternal family is currently Church of God. There are some that carry on about the Bible in much the way some Catholics carry on about Mary.

 

[Cat]

I agree with JoeyWarren’s post.

In both Catholicism and Protestantism, there are those who worship what they shouldn’t worship. Many of us have seen this.

That doesn’t mean that their churches teach them to do this. I think it’s just a sin that they fall into, and need deliverance from.

I have confidence that the Holy Spirit will look at the hearts of these people, see (hopefully) that they are sincerely desiring to follow Jesus, and will convict them of their sin and help them to overcome it.

So many times in my life, I thought I was on the right track, saying or doing the “Christ-like” thing, only to discover, through the work of the Holy Spirt, that I was deep in sin. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgement.

At the same time, I think discussions like this are good. Perhaps someone out there is reading and thinking, “Oh, my gosh! I guess I DO worship my Rosary” or “Uh-oh, I really am equating my KJV Bible with Jesus.” Hopefully the Holy Spirit will use this thread to convict people and help us all to examine our own “worship” practices.

 

[Singinbeauty]

The thing is they don’t recognize it as worship because it’s the Bible!

You could EASILY say this about SOME catholics and Mary too…