why a book?

Question

why do we need a book to teach us how to live? if god is truly omnipotent and omnipresent, can't he just speak to us whenever we have questions? according to christians he's not bound by time, so time is not an issue. some say his voice is so powerful that we cannot hear it. can't god control the volume of his voice?

Answer 1

God can (and has) use other methods other than a book to reveal himself to us. Why he chooses to use a book is up to him. After all, he is God and he does whatever he wants. But God hasn't only used a book. In many instances, he appeared to people in visible and/or audible ways. To Abraham, he used dreams. To Moses, he used a burning bush. He also spoke through prophets. Ps. 19:1 says, "The heavens are telling of the glory of God." Romans 2:15 says our consciences (morals) also tell us there is a God. But Hebrews 1:1-4 says that God has revealed himself most clearly, not in a book, but in Jesus Christ. "He is the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15). The accounts and teachings of Jesus, and everything else God wants us to know is recorded for us in the Bible.
Why God chose to use a book and not something else is beyond me, but he knows. John 20:31 tells us why the Bible has been written; "so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name."

Answer 2

Perhaps it will serve both U and Us better if first U Read the Bible??? It is apparent (if U ever were truly interested in learning) that U have never read the Bible just from this question. The Bible that we have today was made up of the "High Tech" of the day, which depending where it was written could have been copper sheets, velum, reeds, clay tablets or animal skins. These were passed down through time & as "New High Tech" came along, we ended up with a neat clean & easy to carry "Book", the Bible, same as all "Religions" which I also presume U are complaining about, NO??? As it appears U are in a "State of Rebellion" against All Authority (not just the Bible) if Ur Honest U could admit that this was the case & that even if God "Whispered" in Ur ear, U would Reject it categorically!!! The Fact is that Scripture (which is NEVER Wrong) says in Jer.31;33&34 "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD. I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
No longer will they have need to teach their friends and kinsmen how to know the LORD. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more."

So U see, it is Already written upon Ur heart & doing its' work of Convicting U of Ur Sin, trying to lead U to Christ who already paid for all Ur Sins. But, it's Ur choice, rebel and go to Hell for not Accepting Christ or Accept Christ & have Eternal Life in Heaven!!! John

Answer 3

In a purely harmonious world, we could just rely on our inner voices (conscious) to know exactly right and wrong. The Bible - (in my opinion) is not the word of God, it CONTAINS the word of God. It was written over centuries and centuries and thus, says a lot of different things. Just like a lifelong friend of yours... what they said in a situation 20 years ago might not pertain now, but there might be a piece of what they say that 'sticks' with you.

I'm not a fundamentalist, but I do believe in God, and a 'spirit' - that is a piece of my moral compass. For me, faith made real - is a journey for me. I use lots of books, philosophy, psychology, newspapers, and yes, the Bible to figure out and try to help the world.

If you don't hear God, well, maybe all these questions you ask are you searching for an understanding. I wish you luck.

peace

Answer 4

We need a book because that is what we do, we read. You're reading right now, right? Newspapers...why do we have those? Cant the people just make a loud announcement over a PA or something? God can "control the volume of His voice," He can do almost everything. I don't know why He chooses to talk to us using a book, but it works for me.

Answer 5

Well the Bible isnt just a book, its a volume of books. And this is how God meant mankind to learn about him, through what is known as scripture.

God tried being in our presence and our sin was too much to tolerate. That would be like asking you to live in a sewer.

Answer 6

Keep in mind; your 'analysis' above is apparently one sided. He speaks (one side), but do we listen to him (second side)?
A book, (he speaks thru it), we listen (when we choose to read it).
Can God control teh volume of his voice? Is everybody happy with 1 volume for the TV, radio, or whatever?

Answer 7

God can control anything he wants at any time he wants to. Guess what - he wants us to want to know him. He isn't going to force us.
In other words, you have to choose to read the Bible and get to know him. Gid gave humans free will. You are responsible for your own salvation.

Answer 8

Now, this question I like. Never really thought about it before - seriously. And really before the 1600s nobody read anyway, except rabbis, priests, scribes, etc. Maybe it was to make the Word seem more important to uneducated people? It certainly is not necessary to be familiar with scripture to be saved - after all, Satan quoted scripture to Jesus while he tempted Him. Thanks for giving me something to think about :>)

Answer 9

Or maybe he could just appear in front of us whenever we want something. Or have the answer appear in our hand in letter form. There really are so many other better ways for a creature with literally unlimited power, aren't there?

Answer 10

My mum taught me how to live and left me to experience the world at 18, it wasn't a book, it was mommy!
*gives mommy a kiss*