Why do people think that the Bible is THE only source of spiritual literature?

Question

Augustine and Thomas More and Viktor Frankl and Erich Fromme and Thomas Aquinas should be read by more Christians

Answer 1

While its true that the Bible is the prime source of spiritual literature for Christians many people are unfortunatly unaware of what has been written over the centuries to support Biblical doctrine. For instance Augustine is probably the philosopher who influenced Western Civilization the most, particularly in the early Middle Ages, yet most people never read him. These philosophers never contradict what is written in the Bible but support it, in fact its almost amusing to realise what these people knew centuries ago.

However for many people their literature can also attack their belief system. For instance Augustine attacks Christian Fundamentalists core ideas 1600 years before they even existed, which is pretty impressive. Therefore rather than having the "faithful" read this and think and reflect, people hide or discourage their works.

Answer 2

There are many books that are spiritual literature. That includes the books from other religions and commentaries, etc. I enjoy reading many spiritual books. However, being a spiritual book is not the same thing as being the Word of God. The Bible is God-breathed. The words have a power that comes from the Holy Spirit. The other books do not. I can learn from many books, but the Bible can change my heart. That is a miracle in the flesh. I know some may not understand this, and that is okay. This is an issue that transcends logic and appeals directly to the soul.

Answer 3

The Bible is not the only source of spiritual literature. You only need to check out the bookstores to see the volumes of stuff that is out there. The Bible is the one true source that many have tried to discount but time and time again has historically and scientifically been proven accurate, has fulfilled prophesies with names and places written hundreds of years before and not only that but most importantly, the Bible is the ONLY one to show you how to have payment for your sins.
ALL the others are poor imitations and twisted forms of spiritual feelings. In any other book whether faith based or not, it is about work righteousness, by doing good things or working through certain laws and rules you can get to Heaven, or the power is within yourself to evolve into someone better and it's all based on ones feelings.
The Bible isn't a feel good book, it's all about revealing to us what sinners we are, because we've all broken Gods holy laws. How many lies does it take to make a liar? One! Broken that, no matter what the value of an item, if it's not yours and you took it, you've stolen, I'm a thief; I've stolen time from work to name just one. The Bible says not to commit adultery, but Jesus says that if you are to look at a person with lust, you've committed adultery in your heart. The Bible says that all people believe that they are good, but Jesus said that there is not one good, not one, except God in Heaven.
All the other literature will pat you on the back, comfort you with rules and send you on your way with a smile on your face to Hell.
No one can stand before a Judge in the civil court and say yes your honour, I've broken some laws, but look at all the ones I didn't and I am a good person. If the Judge is a just and good one, he can't just wave you on. The law has been broken and the fine has to be paid before you can be set free.
The Bible is the only one that holds up a mirror to yourself to see what a sinner you really are compared to Gods standards and that ALL liars, thieves and adulterers will have their place in the lake of fire.
The Bible is the only book that tells you that there is nothing you can do to inherit the Kingdom of God. NOTHING.
The people who are in Heaven are sinners who've been forgiven because they know that Jesus is God in the flesh, who being sinless, died on the cross shedding His blood to pay for our sins, and after 3 days defeated death so that we may have eternal life if we repent and turn from our sins and trust in Him alone, God will see His Sons righteousness upon us and not the filth and disgusting sin that is on each and every one of us.
When you know all that, you know that no other book holds life, no other book tells you as it is, no white wash, no warm and cosy fairytale, it's the Truth and Jesus is the ONLY way and the Life.
Why go else where? Unless you don't like knowing the truth about yourself, and are happy to have others lie to you to make you 'feel' good.

Answer 4

It goes back to Luther. Luther had a serious problem. His doctrine were in direct opposition to what was handed on by the apostles. He was correct in his understanding of the problems facing Christianity, his solution was incorrect.

Sola scriptura permitted him to abandon his problems. He could eliminate the book of James and the book of Revelations, which he did. He removed them from his canon. He also got rid of Maccabees, which was a theological headache as well. Without James, Revelations and Maccabees you get close to Lutheranism. When you drop the rest of the apostolic message not contained in the scriptures, you get Lutheranism.

Sola scriptura is a 16th century invention and it has punished Protestants ever since. The Protestants who read other things are often lead away from Christianity because they realize the value in these works but find their communities opposed to finding truth in them. The opposite, in the extreme, is of course Fundamentalism. In that group you find opposition to evolution, a group of flat Earthers still exist in this group, and a general distrust of anything they didn't originate.

This is a sad accident of Luther. I doubt, if he could have predicted the future, that he would have taken the path he chose.

Answer 5

The Bible isn't the only source of "spiritual literature". Many "holy" books of many religions have been written. Many have some truth in them, especially about everyday life.

However, the Bible is the ONLY book written by God through man and which enables us to have eternal life. It is also the only one that, though written over thousands of years and by many different authors, is always true.

If it seems to contradict itself, it is because the reader is not being guided by the Holy Spirit. It is esoteric in the sense that only those who are born again can even start to understand its meaning.

Answer 6

Difficult question. Some people have been so wounded by life expierences that when they find a "solution" , they grab on to it for dear life because it is all that has worked for them. Some people are just closed minded bigots. Some people have the best of intentions and what you to have they same expieriences they have. There are many other scenarios as well. But these are the main ones.

Answer 7

A lot of people think that other books are the only source of spiritual literature. But more importantly, anyone who actually thinks at all realises that all books are solely the output of human endeavour and that those who believe books to be otherwise are wholly deluded.

Answer 8

Because they are fundamentalist Christians and believe it is the ONLY true word of God and renders all other spiritual literture false or pointless. I know cuz I'm married to one that thinks that way. He says, "Why should I read what other people think when I can go right to the source of God's word?"

Answer 9

It's still too narrow to limit it to the Christian tradition. Other religions are capable of insight, and it's a conceit to think that Christianity has some special connection to the Divine. Have you ever read the Upanishads?

Answer 10

Yes, I agree.

I think the problem is, is that people are told they can only read the Bible for spiritual guidance because anything else would be too threatening for religion.