Bible believing Christians that haven't read the Bible?

[leopardman]

I am looking for responses from only Bible believing Christians. I don't make the rules here but my request is that if you are not one of them, please do not respond on this thread.

Bible believing Christians, in my experience, commonly claim to believe that God is the author of the Bible (through inspiration of the writers) and that the Bible is "the authority" in their beliefs and practices. Or something nearly like that.

It is my observation that a significant percentage of Bible believing Christians have not read the whole Bible. From polls I've seen, that percentage is about 50%. Most of them have read some parts of it. But only about 50% have read the whole thing and my beef in this thread here is with those who have not.

I do not think it is possible that a person could actually believe the Bible was written by God and yet not have read the entire thing - every single word of it. A document that was written by the *creator of the universe* for them to read, and that they have readily available to them, and they haven't bothered to read all of it? I don't buy that.

Because they have chosen not to read the whole Bible I do not believe they are truthful in their claim that they actually believe the Bible originated from God. If they actually believed that, they would have read it and so my conclusion is that they are liars about what they believe.

Is there any possible legitimate reason (other than learning/reading difficulties) that explains how a person could actually believe that the Bible originated from God and yet not read the whole thing?

Additionally, it is simply not possible for a document which a person has not read, to be "the authority" in their lives. If they haven't read it, they don't know what is in it (not entirely anyway..) and they cannot legitimately claim that a document that they haven't read is what they use as their authority. So, again, another lie.

My opinion of Christians is rather poor (although I grew up as one). And it is not based on just what I've written in this particular thread. But I would like to find if there are any reasons why I should consider them better than I do.

 

[wordmagnifiedabovenames]

Is there any possible legitimate reason (other than learning/reading difficulties) that explains how a person could actually believe that the Bible originated from God and yet not read the whole thing?

A person could read one scripture that says the Bible originated from God and by faith accept that the rest of it is also from God. On one hand, accepting that the Bible is from God is a simple matter of faith. On the other hand, proving absolutely that it is from God and refuting all arguments against it being from God is definitely trickier, and made even trickier if one hasn't read it.

Additionally, it is simply not possible for a document which a person has not read, to be "the authority" in their lives.

I disagree with this, insofar as I'd say that I live by laws of the land, which is evidenced, though not completely provable, by me not having being charged with anything, and that these laws are an authority in my life. However, I'm certain that I've never read several of the acts that make up the constitution by which my country is governed.

Claiming something is an authority, whether it's the Bible by faith or the law (which may also be "by faith" if a person hasn't read all of them) is different to actually proving that a person is living by them, although I'd agree that proving something is an authority in one's life is a lot easier if one actually knows what that authority says.

 

[idea]

Is there any possible legitimate reason (other than learning/reading difficulties) that explains how a person could actually believe that the Bible originated from God and yet not read the whole thing?

I have read the whole thing... that said, you don't have to eat the whole cake to know it tastes good... I know in the past - Catholics perhaps? believed that the Bible was too holy for commoners to read? sort of a "only the high priest is allowed in the Holy of Holies" type of thing, so the Bible was only written in Latin so that most could not read it - pehaps this mindset is still around today?

Great people such as William Tyndale: William Tyndale - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
sacrificed their life in order to translate the Bible into a language that commoners could read it - I love this quote of his:

"I defy the Pope, and all his laws; and if God spares my life, ere many years, I will cause the boy that driveth the plow to know more of the Scriptures than thou dost!"

Tyndale was burned at the stake for his work, but the reformation went on and now thankfully the Bible is avaiable to all who are daring enough to read it. sadly, many people do not read as much as they should, and familiarity with the Bible is not as common a thing to find as it once was.

Luckily a true testimony generally comes from spiritual experiences, rather than merely reading about something - but I agree that it is so important to actually read/study/ponder and pray - rather than relying on some quick-cliff notes version of it. I mean, a book influenced (I would not say written, but certainly influenced by God) - so many have sacrificed so much that we are able to have this precious book, so sad there are those who have not read it.

 

[Ben Masada]

Bible believing christians that haven't read the Bible! These must be of the class of the faithful of Jim Jones. God have mercy on them.

 

[Jason0047]

I am looking for responses from only Bible believing Christians. I don't make the rules here but my request is that if you are not one of them, please do not respond on this thread.

Bible believing Christians, in my experience, commonly claim to believe that God is the author of the Bible (through inspiration of the writers) and that the Bible is "the authority" in their beliefs and practices. Or something nearly like that.

It is my observation that a significant percentage of Bible believing Christians have not read the whole Bible. From polls I've seen, that percentage is about 50%. Most of them have read some parts of it. But only about 50% have read the whole thing and my beef in this thread here is with those who have not.

I do not think it is possible that a person could actually believe the Bible was written by God and yet not have read the entire thing - every single word of it. A document that was written by the *creator of the universe* for them to read, and that they have readily available to them, and they haven't bothered to read all of it? I don't buy that.

Because they have chosen not to read the whole Bible I do not believe they are truthful in their claim that they actually believe the Bible originated from God. If they actually believed that, they would have read it and so my conclusion is that they are liars about what they believe.

Is there any possible legitimate reason (other than learning/reading difficulties) that explains how a person could actually believe that the Bible originated from God and yet not read the whole thing?

Additionally, it is simply not possible for a document which a person has not read, to be "the authority" in their lives. If they haven't read it, they don't know what is in it (not entirely anyway..) and they cannot legitimately claim that a document that they haven't read is what they use as their authority. So, again, another lie.

My opinion of Christians is rather poor (although I grew up as one). And it is not based on just what I've written in this particular thread. But I would like to find if there are any reasons why I should consider them better than I do.

Dear Leopardman:

Now, I am not condoning the idea that a Christian should refuse in reading the Bible as a whole, for God's Word is a believer's instruction manual to draw closer each day to the Lord; However, that said, the conversion of one's heart by God does not happen when one automatically reads the entire Bible, though. There are many atheists who have made the claim that they have read the Bible many times cover to cover and yet they are not spiritually converted in their heart by the Lord, though.

For example: In John chapter 3: Jesus was talking with a man named Nicodemus who was a great teacher of the Law (i.e. the Holy Scriptures). However, Jesus essentially said that he should have known about being born again because he was a great teacher of the Law, though. But Nicodemus did not get it. Nicodemus had no clue what Jesus was talking about when he was telling him that he must be born again in order to enter the kingdom of God.

Okay, so here we have a man who knew the Holy Scriptures because Jesus said he was a great teacher of the Law, but yet he did not have the understanding that he should have had about the essential spiritual truth about being born again. This is what I have seen in my own experience or walk with the Lord.

For I have seen people come up to me and make the claim that they have read the entire Bible cover to cover but yet I did not see in their heart and or life that all they wanted was Jesus Christ and His Word, though. I did not see their eyes light up as I talked about the Word of God. I did not see them get excited as I discussed the truth of Scripture. The Word of God was not sown in their heart. It was not received. If one is saved, all they want to do is talk about Jesus and His Holy Word. They can't help it. For God gives them a new heart with new desires; And the Spirit will teach them and give them the understanding of His Word as they study it (bit by bit).

For it is not true that a born again believer is not truly born again if they did not receive some kind of instantaneous Matrix download transfer of all of God's truth in just reading the Bible cover to cover multiple times. Sometimes, the truth of God's Word for many has to be digested slowly and taken a piece at a time. So I have no doubt in my mind that the Spirit also teaches those true Christians who study the Scriptures one piece at a time striving to understand God's Word slowly instead of just rushing thru the Bible many many times without the understanding of it (Until they get thru the whole of it).

Let me give you an example:

If you read an instruction manual on how to build a 747 cover to cover many times, does that mean you understood what it was saying? No. If you do not understand the technical jargon and or had the training by others to know what parts are what, then you would be clueless as to how to build a 747. So what should you do? Study each section of the manual piece by piece until you do understand the whole thing. This is why I believe there are true Christians who are being taught by the Spirit who have not read the entire Word yet. This is not an excuse that Christians should not read the Bible cover to cover; What I am saying is that there are some who desire to read God's Word only with the understanding of it.

For today: There are many false believers who read or study the Scriptures but they do not actually believe them. They study the Bible based upon the commandments of men or within trying to limit God to their understanding of Him from an Earthly or fleshy perspective. Instead of just letting God be God (As He is shown to us within the Holy Word).

Anyways, if you want to know what it is like to be a true Christian or to be born again and to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then call upon the Lord Jesus now and ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Ask Him into your heart and ask Him that you want Him to be your Savior, Lord, and Master. You make that prayer to the Lord right now and truly believe it, and you will be saved and born again. It does not take reading the Bible cover to cover to be saved or to be a true believer. You can be a true believer right now and know Jesus right now! All you have to do is take that step of faith and trust in Jesus and accept Him while there is still time. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

I hope this helps.

And may God bless you.

With loving kindness to you in Jesus Christ:

Sincerely,

~Jason.


...

 

[WordSponge]

Dear Leopardman:

Now, I am not condoning the idea that a Christian should refuse in reading the Bible as a whole, for God's Word is a believer's instruction manual to draw closer each day to the Lord; However, that said, the conversion of one's heart by God does not happen when one automatically reads the entire Bible, though. There are many atheists who have made the claim that they have read the Bible many times cover to cover and yet they are not spiritually converted in their heart by the Lord, though.

For example: In John chapter 3: Jesus was talking with a man named Nicodemus who was a great teacher of the Law (i.e. the Holy Scriptures). However, Jesus essentially said that he should have known about being born again because he was a great teacher of the Law, though. But Nicodemus did not get it. Nicodemus had no clue what Jesus was talking about when he was telling him that he must be born again in order to enter the kingdom of God.

Okay, so here we have a man who knew the Holy Scriptures because Jesus said he was a great teacher of the Law, but yet he did not have the understanding that he should have had about the essential spiritual truth about being born again. This is what I have seen in my own experience or walk with the Lord.

For I have seen people come up to me and make the claim that they have read the entire Bible cover to cover but yet I did not see in their heart and or life that all they wanted was Jesus Christ and His Word, though. I did not see their eyes light up as I talked about the Word of God. I did not see them get excited as I discussed the truth of Scripture. The Word of God was not sown in their heart. It was not received. If one is saved, all they want to do is talk about Jesus and His Holy Word. They can't help it. For God gives them a new heart with new desires; And the Spirit will teach them and give them the understanding of His Word as they study it (bit by bit).

For it is not true that a born again believer is not truly born again if they did not receive some kind of instantaneous Matrix download transfer of all of God's truth in just reading the Bible cover to cover multiple times. Sometimes, the truth of God's Word for many has to be digested slowly and taken a piece at a time. So I have no doubt in my mind that the Spirit also teaches those true Christians who study the Scriptures one piece at a time striving to understand God's Word slowly instead of just rushing thru the Bible many many times without the understanding of it (Until they get thru the whole of it).

Let me give you an example:

If you read an instruction manual on how to build a 747 cover to cover many times, does that mean you understood what it was saying? No. If you do not understand the technical jargon and or had the training by others to know what parts are what, then you would be clueless as to how to build a 747. So what should you do? Study each section of the manual piece by piece until you do understand the whole thing. This is why I believe there are true Christians who are being taught by the Spirit who have not read the entire Word yet. This is not an excuse that Christians should not read the Bible cover to cover; What I am saying is that there are some who desire to read God's Word only with the understanding of it.

For today: There are many false believers who read or study the Scriptures but they do not actually believe them. They study the Bible based upon the commandments of men or within trying to limit God to their understanding of Him from an Earthly or fleshy perspective. Instead of just letting God be God (As He is shown to us within the Holy Word).

Anyways, if you want to know what it is like to be a true Christian or to be born again and to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then call upon the Lord Jesus now and ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Ask Him into your heart and ask Him that you want Him to be your Savior, Lord, and Master. You make that prayer to the Lord right now and truly believe it, and you will be saved and born again. It does not take reading the Bible cover to cover to be saved or to be a true believer. You can be a true believer right now and know Jesus right now! All you have to do is take that step of faith and trust in Jesus and accept Him while there is still time. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

I hope this helps.

And may God bless you.

With loving kindness to you in Jesus Christ:
Sincerely,
~Jason.
...

***
Hello friend,
Your effort and good intenntions are to be noted and appreciated.
Respectfully:
Asking Jesus into one's heart has not worked and has, destroyed many.
Here are some considerations for any Christian minded Jesus washed, heart .
***
Jas.1
[21] Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,
and accept with meekness (submissiveness)
the engrafted (imbedded and effective) Word (of GOD from the Apostles),
that is able to save your souls.
[22] But be DOERS of the Word (from GOD),
and NOT hearers (or believers) only,
thereby deceiving (hurting) your own selves.

Matt.7
[13] Enter in at the Strait Gate:
for wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leads to destruction,
and many there are who go in there:
[14] Because the Gate (door) is Strait and the Way is narrow (precise).
that leads to life and there are FEW who find it.

1 Tim.6
[1] Let as many servants(slaves) who are under the yoke,
count their own masters worthy of all honour,
so that the name (fame, reputation and character) of God (Jesus)
and his Doctrine (to us) is not blasphemed (by non- Christians)

Acts.2
[38] Then Peter said unto the Israelites:
Repent (to the God of Israel),
and be baptized every one of you
in (into, calling on) the name of Jesus Christ (the incarnated God of Israel)
for the remission of sins and you shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Please note that I did not say that to believe the Oneness Doctrine.
As a Sheep of Jesus he will teach you.

I am with you my brother.
Be strong in the faith in Our LORD Jesus Christ and have faith in his name.
Please do not err and disrespect the Apostles,
who taught worldwide while Jesus confirmed their Word.

2 Tim.2
[7] Consider what I (Paul) say and the LORD (Jesus)
give you understanding (light) in all things. (Jesus still works that way).


keep well.

 

[WordSponge]

I am looking for responses from only Bible believing Christians. I don't make the rules here but my request is that if you are not one of them, please do not respond on this thread.

Bible believing Christians, in my experience, commonly claim to believe that God is the author of the Bible (through inspiration of the writers) and that the Bible is "the authority" in their beliefs and practices. Or something nearly like that.

It is my observation that a significant percentage of Bible believing Christians have not read the whole Bible. From polls I've seen, that percentage is about 50%. Most of them have read some parts of it. But only about 50% have read the whole thing and my beef in this thread here is with those who have not.

I do not think it is possible that a person could actually believe the Bible was written by God and yet not have read the entire thing - every single word of it. A document that was written by the *creator of the universe* for them to read, and that they have readily available to them, and they haven't bothered to read all of it? I don't buy that.

Because they have chosen not to read the whole Bible I do not believe they are truthful in their claim that they actually believe the Bible originated from God. If they actually believed that, they would have read it and so my conclusion is that they are liars about what they believe.

Is there any possible legitimate reason (other than learning/reading difficulties) that explains how a person could actually believe that the Bible originated from God and yet not read the whole thing?

Additionally, it is simply not possible for a document which a person has not read, to be "the authority" in their lives. If they haven't read it, they don't know what is in it (not entirely anyway..) and they cannot legitimately claim that a document that they haven't read is what they use as their authority. So, again, another lie.

My opinion of Christians is rather poor (although I grew up as one). And it is not based on just what I've written in this particular thread. But I would like to find if there are any reasons why I should consider them better than I do.

***
Good work brother.
It is not unlike what Jesus expects.

John.8
[31] Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed on him,
If you continue in My Word (and not that of Philosophers),
then are you my disciples indeed
[32] and you shall know the truth (from GOD) and the truth shall make you free.

Col.3
[16] Let the Word of Christ (the God of Israel) dwell in you richly,in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace (favor) in your hearts to the LORD. (who died for our liberty)
[17] and whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the LORD Jesus,
giving thanks to GOD and the Father by him.

2 John.1
[9] Whoever transgresses and abides not in the Doctrine of Christ,
does not have God.
He who remains staedfastly in the Doctrine of Christ,
has BOTH (2) the Father (1) and the Son (2).(Conversely the Jews were taught only about ONE.)
[10] If there come any (preacher) unto you (of Christ)
who brings not this Doctrine (about Father and Son),
receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
[11] For he who bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds (heresy).

Nice job shaking the 'earth.'

Keep well.

 

[Jason0047]

***
Hello friend,
Your effort and good intenntions are to be noted and appreciated.
Respectfully:
Asking Jesus into one's heart has not worked and has, destroyed many.
Here are some considerations for any Christian minded Jesus washed, heart .

First you can't have salvation or life living in you if you do not have Jesus Christ. 1 John 5:12 says he that has the Son has life and He that does not have the Son does not have life. So when you say

"Asking Jesus into one's heart has not worked and has, destroyed many."

I am going to have to say to you that you preach another gospel that is not in the Scriptures.

The Bible tells us to call upon the Lord (Romans 10:13) and to repent (Matthew 3:2).

The Bible also mentions how Jesus lives within our hearts (Ephesians 3:17). This happens if we ask the Lord to come into our lives.

***
Jas.1
[21] Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,
and accept with meekness (submissiveness)
the engrafted (imbedded and effective) Word (of GOD from the Apostles),
that is able to save your souls.
[22] But be DOERS of the Word (from GOD),
and NOT hearers (or believers) only,
thereby deceiving (hurting) your own selves.

Second, I am not a proponent of Once Saved Always Saved. I believe a Christian's faith must prove itself to be true with a life of holiness and fruitful works as described to us within God's Word under the New Covenant. But you have to realize that salvation is not something you do, though. Salvation can be had RIGHT here and RIGHT now! For Jesus Christ is a person's salvation. You can't earn salvation. A true believer naturally brings forth a life of holiness and fruitful works because Jesus lives within them. If a person does not have Jesus living in them, then they do not have eternal life. For Jesus is eternal life and salvation. It's not in you doing something to save yourself. It is Christ doing the good work in you if you have repented of your sins and asked Him into your heart. See Philippians 2:13 and 1 Corinthians 15:10.

In other words, obey God's Word will be natural if you have been truly born again spiritually and or properly repented and accepted Christ. If a believer has backslidden into sin, they need to confess it and get their heart right with the Lord.

Matt.7
[13] Enter in at the Strait Gate:
for wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leads to destruction,
and many there are who go in there:
[14] Because the Gate (door) is Strait and the Way is narrow (precise).
that leads to life and there are FEW who find it.

Most people teach that you don't have to accept Jesus. So this would not be the narrow gate.

1 Tim.6
[1] Let as many servants(slaves) who are under the yoke,
count their own masters worthy of all honour,
so that the name (fame, reputation and character) of God (Jesus)
and his Doctrine (to us) is not blasphemed (by non- Christians)

Again, true Christians are naturally faithful to the Lord. For Romans 8:1 tells us that he that walks after the Spirit there is no condemnation. It is the person who abides in unrepentant sin who is under the Condemnation mentioned in Scripture (See John 3:19, 20).

Acts.2
[38] Then Peter said unto the Israelites:
Repent (to the God of Israel),
and be baptized every one of you
in (into, calling on) the name of Jesus Christ (the incarnated God of Israel)
for the remission of sins and you shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Yes, I believe repentance and confession is necessary for salvation. Many times it is not a one time event. Many Christians will have to continue to confess their sin to stay right with the Lord if they slip up on occasion. Christians are to perfect themselves in their walk with the Lord.

Please note that I did not say that to believe the Oneness Doctrine.

If you are referring to one-ness pentecostalism: It is unbiblical. The Godhead or the Trinity is a Biblical doctrine. If you worship a God that is not found in the Bible, then you are worshiping a false god and not the God of the Bible.

As a Sheep of Jesus he will teach you.

I am with you my brother.
Be strong in the faith in Our LORD Jesus Christ and have faith in his name.
Please do not err and disrespect the Apostles,
who taught worldwide while Jesus confirmed their Word.

2 Tim.2
[7] Consider what I (Paul) say and the LORD (Jesus)
give you understanding (light) in all things. (Jesus still works that way).

keep well.

I encourage you to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. If you put down such an idea, it makes me question if you have ever truly accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. For without Jesus in your life, there is no salvation. For if Jesus lives in you, He will help you to do those things that are within God's Word. Jesus will be the author and finisher of your faith. This is why the 24 elders cast down their crowns before Jesus. For Jesus was the One working in them.

Anyways, may God bless you.

And may the Lord's love shine upon you.

Sincerely,

~Jason.


...

 

[WordSponge]

Thanks for your honest, unbiased, Christian compliment.

Keep 'asking the LORD into your heart'...

Keep well

 

[Clarity]

I am looking for responses from only Bible believing Christians. I don't make the rules here but my request is that if you are not one of them, please do not respond on this thread.

Bible believing Christians, in my experience, commonly claim to believe that God is the author of the Bible (through inspiration of the writers) and that the Bible is "the authority" in their beliefs and practices. Or something nearly like that.

It is my observation that a significant percentage of Bible believing Christians have not read the whole Bible. From polls I've seen, that percentage is about 50%. Most of them have read some parts of it. But only about 50% have read the whole thing and my beef in this thread here is with those who have not.

I do not think it is possible that a person could actually believe the Bible was written by God and yet not have read the entire thing - every single word of it. A document that was written by the *creator of the universe* for them to read, and that they have readily available to them, and they haven't bothered to read all of it? I don't buy that.

Because they have chosen not to read the whole Bible I do not believe they are truthful in their claim that they actually believe the Bible originated from God. If they actually believed that, they would have read it and so my conclusion is that they are liars about what they believe.

Is there any possible legitimate reason (other than learning/reading difficulties) that explains how a person could actually believe that the Bible originated from God and yet not read the whole thing?

Additionally, it is simply not possible for a document which a person has not read, to be "the authority" in their lives. If they haven't read it, they don't know what is in it (not entirely anyway..) and they cannot legitimately claim that a document that they haven't read is what they use as their authority. So, again, another lie.

My opinion of Christians is rather poor (although I grew up as one). And it is not based on just what I've written in this particular thread. But I would like to find if there are any reasons why I should consider them better than I do.

Interesting. I've had the opposite experience. I've lived in 6 states and a dozen cities (former military and raised military brat). I've met tens of thousands of Christians and attended churches of about two dozen different denominations.

In my experience, almost all Christians read and study the New Testament, and if I can suffer a guess, about half have perused the old while 1/3 have read it. Perhaps 1 in 10 study in depth with either historical aids, reference Bibles, Bible atlases or something similar. I've only met two obsessed Bible Geeks who study at the expense of all other life: me and Rabbi Isaacson.

All of the churches I've attended were protestant and both encouraged Bible reading as well as group study.

(In fact, the only people I've ever met who attempt to make your claim are atheists.)

As someone who has memorized whole chapters, I encourage prayer more than Bible reading, but both are useful. (Prayer is user-specific.) The reason for this is because the Bible is not our authority, God is. Our lives are guided by a relationship with him, not with the Bible. The Bible is merely our #1 guide book.