We can certainly learn whether we hear or read, however we will KNOW if the words are truly of God when we study ourselves.
James 1:26. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
This is just one of the warnings about following man only and being taken in by his "vain" ideas. So, when you say, "We can know God's Word by HEARING it, not necessarily READING it. Isn't that what Romans says?", I will agree but at the same time think it very important that we read it for ourselves.
Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10.For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.
Not many teach in that manner today. It is easy to make scripture fit your doctrine if a verse is cherry picked but difficult to do if you "rightly divide the word"
11Timothy 2:15 Study to shew theyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16.But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17.And their word will eat as doth a canker.....
How does one know those "vain babblings" or if they have "rightly divided" unless they read themselves?
....Ping
I am not going to argue that we shouldn't read the Bible! I am saying that it is not absolutely necessary for eternal salvation. A person can be taught everything they need to know orally - this has been the mode of teaching for billions of Christians throughout the ages.
Not many teach in that manner today. It is easy to make scripture fit your doctrine if a verse is cherry picked but difficult to do if you "rightly divide the word"
That can be done even by the most ardent of Protestant bible believer, as you know. It is not a matter of reading, but of interpretation. We can read the same exact verse, and take away a different meaning. For example, "he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood shall have eternal life". That means something to me and something else to you. Bible reading alone doesn't tell us the Truth about what that verse means. Thus, we absolutely have to have a living Body, a community, the Church, to tell us what these verses mean.
How does one know those "vain babblings" or if they have "rightly divided" unless they read themselves?
!!! Does reading the Bible prevent Protestant denominations from multiplying daily?
Regards