Why do some say, "the only think we can know about ______, is what is written in the Bible?"?

Question

Why do people, or you, say this?
I've seen this statement on YA referring to "hell, baptism, Jesus, God, Satan, resurrection, etc." as if the Bible is the comprehensive source for knowledge on any of these topics.
It seems contradictory to what the Bible itself suggests, that is there are other sources of learning/understanding.

Prayer or revelation - "Ask and you shall receive, knock and it shall be opened to you." (Matthew 21:22, 1 John 3:22) "If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask in faith." (James 1:5)

Inspiration of the Holy Ghost - "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things." (John 14:26)

Good deeds/actions - "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." John 7:17

And other sources obviously exist (see John 21:25), including secular and historical knowledge that should not be dismissed.

So what are your thoughts, why do you/some say this?

"the only 'thing' we can know..."
sorry, typo.

"the only 'thing' we can know..."
sorry, typo.

Jan, you will notice that I did not allude to any other "books", but rather simply suggested that there are other obvious sources of knowledge and enlightenment in addition to the Bible.

B00G1, what is a "rightly discerned interpretation of scripture"?

Betty Boop, your comment makes me laugh, I'm not quite sure what you are implying, but it makes me laugh.

Answer 1

Yes, I agree there are many sources for truth, knowledge and inspiration. I would say if you believe in the Bible, that God spoke to men anciently and that he does so today as well.

Answer 2

People say this because they have rejected the God-given authority of His Church, the true source of Christian truth, and have instead tried to use a book compiled by that same Church as their new authority. Unfortunately they seem to overlook the obvious - that a written text has no authority of its own, and means nothing until it is read and interpreted. Therefore it is their own interpretation of the text that becomes their personal "truth", and they themselves are their own new authority. Which is why the "truths" of each denomination conflict with the "truths" of the others. In the meantime God's true Church continues to teach the fullness of genuine truth, just as God said it would, both the portions of the truth included in its book and the portions not included in the book.

The teaching of Christ was the Word of God as soon as it came from His lips, since He was and is God. That is where His Church received the truth, not from a book. It was the Word of God before it ever got written down. It was the Word of God before it became part of the Bible. Including it in the Bible did not make it God's Word. If it had never been bound into a book at all this teaching would still be God's Word, and would still be taught by His Church. Therefore obviously those parts of the Word of God that were not included in the book are no less the Word of God, and are still part of the fullness of Christian truth, preserved and presented to us under the divine authority of His Holy Church.

Answer 3

Yes the bible has changed through the years and I have read where it refer ed to passage that is not in there .I have the New Testament and found that each person gave a different account of the same thing. I went to prayer group and asked why we change things to suit our life style in the Bible. I had the Minister stunned by asking that. The new version is a group of people that decided that this is what the Scripture must mean so you need to study both Bibles. If you really want to ask God to give you know age to understand what you are reading and He will such your heart and give you the know age if you are genuine

Answer 4

WE believe in "rightly dividing the word of truth". While there are other sources: the unspoken word of the Jews. historical accounts etc. No one has ever superseded the Word. If something doesn't line up with a rightly discerned interpretation of scripture we tend to leave it alone. We already spend way too much time answering how many angels can balance on the head of a pin kind of ?'s

Answer 5

2 Timothy 3:16
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"

If something goes against scripture ie man's tradition then it is not from God!
The holy spirit can guide us and help us understand the bible. There are other books that I'm sure God had a hand in but if they differ from the bible they are not a good source.
†

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Answer 6

The bible has been change many times during translation.

Bart Ehrman tells the story behind the mistakes and changes that ancient scribes made to the New Testament, and shows the impact they made upon the Bible we know today. Since the invention of the printing press and accurate reproduction of texts, most people have assumed that when they read the New Testament they are reading the exact words of Christ—as told to St. Paul.

For over 15 hundred years these manuscripts were hand copied by scribes, who were deeply influenced by the cultural, theological and political disputes of their day; not to mention the linguistic changes involved in translating from Greek to Latin to the various modern languages of Europe in use today.

Read; ‘Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why’ by Bart Ehrman

Answer 7

It's mainly people who never read books but if they ever did get around to reading a book it would be the Bible...although most only take in a few scriptural quotes and feel satisfied that it's enough and that they've fully understood this book that is the basis of their faith.

Answer 8

Why are you breaking down on the bible with your dishonest 23% Every one knows an honest person cant passably have 23% So don't try to present yourself as an honest person while you are tearing down the Holy Bible. You dishonest horrible slime.

Answer 9

TV news has just had the story of a man who left all his savings
($36,000) with a "Psychic" for her to bless so that his personal fortunes would improve.

When he returned to get his blessed money the Psychic AND HIS MONEY WERE LONG GONE.

He seemed most concerned that he " believed in her."

Ignorant & magical thinking people are easily gullible.

Isn't it amazing that millions of people are so gulled by the
bible.

If there were miracles I would have to conclude that that is one.

Answer 10

The Bible says that those who refuse to believe know deep down that Jesus and the Bible are true, but those people stuff the truth in exchange for a lie. They know the truth, but reject it, and they are simply liars.