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By this definition then, is it not idolatry to believe inviolate in the words printed in the Bible? Since the Bible is a document, which has been handled, changed, translated etc, by man? Is it not an object, built by man, to attempt to depict God, and therefore, an idol?...

Well that of course is often leveled at us.

Well, first of all the Bible is in one sense just a book - which is paper and print. In some High Churches it is held high and kissed during a service - we will have none of that.

Your understanding of the Bible seems to come form the idea that it is a book which describes man's experiences of trying to understand God. But it is the other way around. The Bible is the record of God's dealing with man - supremely in the person of Jesus Christ. It is revelation not reason (which is not to say it is unreasonable).

As Romans 1 makes clear we can know there is God by looking at nature - so no-one is left without excuse. But only through His word can we know about Him. for instance, we could not know of the cross of Christ by looking at nature. The Bible is God preaching to us.

So I do not worship the Bible in any form, but it is gods gift for me to understand Him and to understand how He wants me to live.

Interestingly the idea of 'words' is very important remember that Jesus Himself is described by John as the Word (Logos) from which we get the word logic! The Bible begins with God speaking. It ends with a stern warning not to tamper with the words of Revelation.

God is bigger than the Bible - much bigger but He has graciously given us this Book so that we might know Him who has redeemed us.

Kind regards. yours in Christ

"Your understanding of the Bible seems to come form the idea that it is a book which describes man's experiences of trying to understand God. But it is the other way around. The Bible is the record of God's dealing with man - supremely in the person of Jesus Christ. It is revelation not reason (which is not to say it is unreasonable)."

We shall have to agree to disagree on this one - it boils down to whether or not we believe that the authors truly had the word of God revealed to them, or they were just claiming that, to give credence to their written words. It is based, therefore, NOT on a faith in God, but a faith in the men who set the words to print.

"As Romans 1 makes clear we can know there is God by looking at nature - so no-one is left without excuse."

So, when our observation of nature, in the study of the fossil record, DNA, etc, disagrees with the written words in the bible, specifically Genesis, which are we to believe?

I prefer to believe that God would not have created a fossil record, DNA evidence, etc out of whole cloth, just to mislead.