Is it sinful to focus too much on the Bible?

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Lifeisbeautiful3

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I’ve been married for 14 years, and have four beautiful children. About six years ago, my wife decided to dedicate her life to Jesus. She spends 12 to 14 hours a day reading the Bible.

How does one decide when praising Jesus at the expense of all else is too much? Who decides when that represents a “mental illness“, as opposed to glorifying Him?
 
Unfortunately, no. She doesn’t. But, we have a very good nanny!
 
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Catholic mom abandoned family - mental illness Family Life
THIS. This. This.
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The same wife who abandoned your family?
 
Lifeisbeautiful3 said:
How does one decide when praising Jesus at the expense of all else is too much? Who decides when that represents a “mental illness“, as opposed to glorifying Him?
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You’re kidding right?

This isn’t a matter of simply “reading the Bible” excessively. You’ve expressed that your wife literally moved across the country to be a hermit, has no contact with you or your children, and has delusions.

She has a mental illness. You know this. This thread serves no purpose.
 
Not ‘diagnosed’ as such. Merely exhibiting a level of intensity of love for Jesus that ‘feels’ unreasonable.

But, how are we to decide when to much religion is too much?

Church twice a day? Bible reading 3 hours a day? 5 hours a day? 12?
 
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There is never too much religion.

What you have described in the other post is not religion, it is delusion.
 
That is a question for one’s spiritual director, pastor and medical professionals.
 
Based on your other thread, your wife crossed that line, long ago. And you knew it. Not a bad thing, getting a court order to protect your children from a mother who wanted to ‘give them back to Jesus’ may have saved their lives! But now, you seem to be downplaying it.

As to true spirituality, there is no true limit. But spirituality, in its true sense, includes caring for your spouse and children, working for their support and your own, and love for other people, every bit as much as Bible study, prayer, and all the outer trappings of holiness. Probably more. You definitely don’t want to get rid of the people who need you, just to be able to act more spiritual. That’s either a sign of mental illness, or pure selfishness. I’m guessing the former, in your wife’s case.

Please…you sound like you’ve been doing very well, in your wife’s absence. Keep up the good work!
 
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In Catholic thought, neglecting the duties of ones state in life, i.e. being a wife and mother, is indeed not morally acceptable. It is either a fairly serious fault in that person’s behavior and thinking or quite likely a sin.
 
Lifeisbeautiful3 said:
Unfortunately, no. She doesn’t. But, we have a very good nanny!
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This goes against what you said on the other thread

“Despite many care-packages and presents sent to her over the years, we receive no response. “

So which is the truth of the situation. I am quite confused.

Is she living with you and the children, or is she not and you only have contact once or twice a year as in the other thread.

What’s the purpose of this thread

None of us can tell you if she has a mental illness or wants to live the hermetic life.

As per CAF rules

Seek professional diagnosis
 
She lives far away, but the children and I have a babysitter who helps out. She hasn’t spoken to kids in years. I visit periodically, but she’s engrossed in the Bible and has a makeshift kneeler with a statue of Mary and a crucifix. It seems obsessive.

But, my question is at what point could reading and prayingbecome too much.
 
Ask your Priest, are you a practising Catholic? Are the children being raised practising?

Perhaps your wife is praying for you.

A kneeler and statues and crucifixes is pretty normal. I wish I had a kneeler but I have the others.
 
You need to have this conversation with your Priest, are you a practising catholic
 
Absolutely practicing. The children are, also! Though taking multiple children to church is not for the meek!
 
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