Thanks, that was a very well thought out response to the question at at mom.
Sadly, in my many back and forth comments I may have come off as supporting the idea that Christianity could be fine without the Bible. However, like you the Word gives me comfort and I gain knowledge that is beyond anything else. We need the Word, or God would not have blessed us with it.
That being said, Christianity would have survived and thrived without it, but we would not be nearly as informed as we are with it. Also, I do not believe that Christianity would have influenced secular society as much with out it. After all, our very constitution is based upon the beliefs encompassed within the pages of the bible.
Mankind as a whole probably still be living in the dark ages without it, because it was the very idea of spreading the word to the masses that gave rise to the printing press. It was the ability of the common man to read the word that fueled the reformation also.
Along with the Renaissance and the reformation, mankind was catapulted into the modern age we are now enjoying. So for many reasons I thank God every day that I have the bible to open up.
The Bible is not given for information, but for sanctification. Please do not take my post as being adversarial. Let's consider what God has provided us regarding His Will on the topic.
Consider Eph 5:26 below in context.
Eph 5:23-27
(23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
(24) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
(25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
(26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
(27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
What we call the Bible is what has been identified as the Canon of Scripture. The word 'canon' derives from the Greek word 'KANON' meaning ruler or measuring rod. The Canon of Scripture self contained as a measure of God's revealed Word to mankind.
The Word of God is provided in written form as Scripture contained in the 66 books we call the Bible. The Word of God has always existed. In the Hebrew, MEMRA existed long before the New Testament. The Word of God is also identified with the second person of the Godhead, Jesus Christ, (John 1).
During the Church Age, a time before Jesus Christ rules all kingdoms on the face of the Earth with a rod of iron and after His Resurrection and before God removes the Church, His Body and Bride from the Earth, ....during this Church Age, ...God the Holy Spirit uses the Word of God circulating in our thinking to sanctify our souls.
A supposition to remove the Bible insults the Plan of God for the sanctification of the Body of Christ and diminishes the glory He is due.
It should also be noted that for unbelievers, the Word of God is sharper than any two edged sword, such that those who are called will respond. Those who reject His Word, and have never accepted it are dead and condemned already.
Our God is a Living God.
Christianity is a spiritual life, not an academic study, nor a religious persuasion.
No man has the ability to convert his fellow man to Christianity. Influencing the thinking of another person is not Christianity. God the Holy Spirit baptizes an believer into the Body of Christ. Christianity is the ongoing sanctification of believers through faith in Christ.
Consider Eph 4-16.
Eph 4:4-16 (4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (7) But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (8) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (9) (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? (10) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) (11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
We are commanded to give a witness and minister throughout the world in the Great Commission.
Mat 28:18-20
(18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
(19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
1Co 10:21-24
(21) Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. (22) Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? (23) All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. (24) Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
If we were to remove the Bible, we would remove the greatest blessing most sorely needed by unbelievers, the Canon of Scripture identified with His Word.