Can you know God/Jesus without the Bible?

Question

If you were illiterate or never read the Bible, can you still know God and know what he wants from you? How?

Answer 1

Pastor Billy says: absolutely, Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox would never face this dilemma as they have the apostolic authority and holy tradition to also guide them. This question is well addressed to so-called "bible only" or bible alone denominations of Protestantism which seek to deny the teaching authority of the magisterium. Early Christians also used icons and statues to tell the Christian story. There are Christian buildings which use both the interior and exterior surfaces of the walls and ceiling to tell the gospel stories of the bible in picture form. You will not find this usage of graphic art in the Puritanical Churches of Protestantism which hold a grave disdain for the beauty of sacred and holy artwork.

Answer 2

Dear panda,

If you were illiterate, you could still know Jesus because you can listen when the Bible is read. The important point is that you are under the hearing of the word of God. This is the "environment" in which God has chosen to save individuals. There is also one other important point that needs to be mentioned. If one is to be saved, the Holy Spirit (God) must apply the word of God to the person's heart (soul). Up until 1988, one could be in any christian church and fulfill these 2 requirements. However, today we are in what the Bible calls the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24). The Holy Spirit has departed from ALL the local churches/congregations (2 Thessalonians 2). Therefore, NO ONE can be saved within the churches and congregations of today. The Lord is now saving people outside of the churches. The best thing to do is read the Bible and continue to beg God for mercy.

See references below.

Answer 3

Christ founded on Church. People learned in it early on without a Bible, and they could do it again. We had holy teachers and leaders who taught the faith the same way Christ had taught: orally. Reading is not necessary here, but trust is (and faiths, like Protestantism, based on distrust could never do this).

As time developed, the Church developed her art so that it evidenced ever more clearly her doctrines. The Orans developed into the icons of the Theotokos. St. John of Damascus said that we could take an illiterate peasant into our Church and show him our faith on the walls.

Likewise, the services developed. We chant all of Christianity in the services and read the Scripture. The illiterate here, also, can learn. This served us in the dark days of Muslim and Communist domination, when we couldn't preach. They could come hear the whole of Christian doctrine sung and know their faith.

The Church, being the Universal Church, has a means to aid everyone, including the illiterate.

Answer 4

Yes! Faith is the important thing. Most of the early Christians had never even seen such a thing as a Bible! If you try to live a good life and treat others the way you wish to be treated, you are already doing what God wants from you! Most people pray to God when they want or need something. But I think it's also important to say regular prayers each day (you can make up a prayer yourself if you don't know any), and you should also thank God regularly for all the wonderful things he brings into your life.

Answer 5

Yes.

There was an illiterate man who COULD read the bible. The only book he could read, btw.

Natives in remote villages have received the gospels from the Lord. A missionary visited one villager that got very excited as they talked. He brought out pictures that he had drawn of Jesus walking on the water and dying on the cross. He said the Lord came to him and told him these things.

Answer 6

Even if you can't read there are Bible on tapes and CD's as well as on line that you can still hear the word of God. No access don't worry, The Holy Spirit indwells each believer one must learn to trust and know the Holy Spirit, for he teaches all truths.

1 John 2:27 KJV
(27) But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

He is also the one that tells you Jesus is Lord.

Answer 7

The only god or jesus you will know from the bible is a few hundred peoples fantasies. The only way to kn ow them for sure is with out reading the bible.

Answer 8

Yes, we can know God and Jesus without the Bible. As stated in Romans 1, the evidence of God is all around us in nature.
Romans 1:19
"Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"

Answer 9

Yes. Faith comes by "hearing" and "hearing by the Word of God."

I am reminded of a scene in Amastad where a well meaning Christian gave a Bible to one of the slaves as they were praying for them. Though they could not read the Bible, they were able to receive the message of salvation through the pictures.

If you want to know salvation, God will intervene on your behalf in ways that go far beyond our ability to understand. All you need do is ask, seek and knock.

Answer 10

Of course you can. If you are seeking Him, He will answer. The Bible is a wonderful way to learn more, but He is always there with or without the Bible. Good luck!