Why is it that so many people who claim to be Christian don't actually read the Bible for themselves but...

Question

they will rely on someone elses interpretation, having never looked at the pages themselves?

Answer 1

I don't know
I read the Bible, have read other books of other Religions also

Answer 2

Everyone interprets the bible differently.One statement might mean one thing to one person and someone else read the same sentence and it means something totally different to someone else.But what is the worst thing is people read the bible and they think they know it all.It is much better to read the bible all the way through and go to Jesus for answers.The bible leads you to salvation so you can have a personal relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit John 5 v 39-40

Answer 3

A great many people make claims about themselves that are based on falsehood. Sometimes they don't even realize it.
I had the notion that, of course, all Christians had read the Bible, until I actually published my first book, "The Book of Barabbas". I was completely blown away at the amazing numbers of Christians who did not have a clue who Barabbas was! So far, I have been accused of anti-semitism at least a dozen times with four or five death threats thrown in for good measure, because, in my crucifixion scene, I included the crowd outside the Insula crying out "His blood be on us and on our children!". Evidently, there are Christians out there that did not realize that it was the chief priests who were behind the movement to have Jesus crucified. I have also been accused a couple of times of blasphemy, even though I have stated in my foreword that the book is strictly a book of fiction, because of the title. "The Book of Barabbas" they say, sounds as if I am titling it to be a book of the Bible. Nothing was further from my mind, but it does make me glad that I did not accept one pal's idea that I call it "The Gospel of Barabbas"....can you even imagine!
If you are going to follow Jesus Christ, it might be a good idea to get a better idea of Who He was, what His teachings were, what He expects of you, and what you can expect from Him. Sure, you can listen to other people's opinions about these things, or watch a good movie....you could even read a novel llike mine, and get some good insight. But the very best place to learn about Him is from His Own Word...that is, the Bible.
Christians need to read the Bible for themselves.

Answer 4

I don't know. I do know that in reading God's Word, there are many blessings for them. And it is the way to know Him better. The more we read, the more wisdom we gain.

The Bible is God's written Word to us.
It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.

“Above all you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21. (New International Version)

Breakdown of the Bible
36 human authors inspired entirely by God over 1600 years.
66 separate books

39 Old Testament
Genesis- The creation of the world, sin, flood and birth of Israel
Exodus to Esther- History of the nation of Israel
Job to Proverbs- the books of poetry and wisdom
Isaiah to Malachi- Prophecy or foretelling of the future events to come.

27 New Testament
Matthew to John - Four Gospels representing the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ now with all authority in Heaven and earth.
Acts- Birth of the Church (The Bride of Christ)
Romans to Jude - Letters to the Churches
Revelations - The ultimate future plans for: The Church, Heaven, Hell, a New Heaven and a New Earth.

Answer 5

1) Because they don't know how to read - honestly, this is a serious response. Many people have a lot of difficulty reading, such as due to learning or reading comprehension difficulties... or because they do not like to read

2) They might read parts of it (e.g. famous verses, such as John 3:16), but do not know how to study or interpret the Bible as a whole - which is a complicated process, and much more difficult than just taking the Bible "literally"

3) They are encouraged by those in "authority" (such as pastors) to believe whatever they are told in church rather than question things for themselves

Just my opinion

Answer 6

Just because a person claims to be a Christian does not mean they have a personal relationship with Him.

Most ppl will spend time watching television and then say they have no time to read the written word of God.

I wonder how they would feel if He told them He was just to busy to write their names in the Lambs book of life. He had to watch Desperate Housewives!!!
(which, by the way, I thought was a joke when someone mentioned the name. That's what happens when you don't have a TV though)

Answer 7

Because they think they don't need to. They are not REAL Christians but think they are. This is what is known as False Conversion and it is very common, especially among the RCC. Virtually all of the RCC and her offspring have no clue as what the Bible teaches; truth in the Word of God for salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Frankly, most people attending the churches of this world, though having been "baptized" by them, never really knew what to repent of! They did not know what sin really is.
At the time of their baptism, most people sincerely intend to "do better" or to "make their peace with God." But since they have not been taught what sin actually is, they completely fail to realize how rotten and sinful they have really been!
They never really repent! They are not "broken up" about the wretched state of their lives and their own human vanity and selfishness which expresses itself constantly in all of us.
Such people do not immediately begin to study and understand the Bible. They just continue to go along with the customs, the ways and the traditions of this world. Their lives are not actually changed. They do not come to know God personally!
Speaking of converted people, Jesus said: "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come" (John 16:13). A truly converted person, then, will be guided into new truth by God’s Spirit. He will also come to understand and grasp Bible prophecy—or important events to come!
Genuine conversion actually revolutionizes a human being’s life! It is a renewing of his mind—his attitude—his character!
He comes to really know God—to constantly study and understand more and more of God’s Word—and he is able to pray and talk to God in a personal way. He receives constant answers—he is blessed—he grows more like Christ every month and year of his life!
The sad truth is that most professing Christians have never even begun to get ready to start on the road to this kind of Christian life!

Answer 8

Reading the Bible without a spiritual foundation or a spiritual revelation is like only reading a book. You have to have a large sense of faith in the guidance of the Holy Spirit before you can have knowledge of the Scriptures. As for who reads and who doesn't, I have no idea. I just know from personal experience that it is just a book until you have a revelation of the Spirit as to how it is interpreted for your personal life.

Answer 9

You're practically asking why people are lazy. It's a human thing, not just Christian. Yes, Christians in particular should be more careful to look into what they believe, but so should everyone. We as humans are lazy. If science and evolution were as heavily studied as the Bible should be, I believe more people would come to the realization of a "creator" or "intelligent designer."

But that's just my opinion. I don't expect anyone to take my word for it.

Answer 10

The Roman Catholic Church interpreted for me and as a result I died spiritually. I read the Bible myself in light of my scientific knowledge (that the Church accepts as well, which is actually great, but you need to read it on your own, not the Catechism which is their interpretation, which is correct (mostly), minus the manmade doctrine), with spiritual eyes as a child as directed by Jesus, was saved through Jesus Christ and was baptised and born again/enlightened by the Holy Spirit.

Roman Catholics are not saved through the Church, they are saved through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Read the Bible and see the spiritual truth that the Church has right, but let Jesus speak to you Himself, not through the false patriarchal hierarchy that Jesus had no use for. Do this, receive the Spirit, and be enlightened to your true nature as children of God.

Roman Catholics are closet Gnostic Christians as I was, I just didn't know it until I read the Bible for myself!

Answer 11

I agree with the others.....lazy and passive and some are just not good readers. It's a shame but there it is. Time is no excuse because you can always make time for what's important to you. Basically, it is not putting God first, no interest in getting to know Him and making Him above all idols we have created. If you truly love Him, you seek to know Him personally....a relationship can't be spoon fed.