Is it possible that the Bible is just a book, and not the words of God at all?

Question

Do you think it is possible to have a relationship with God without the bible and the church?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Yes, it's possible.

And yes, I do think it's possible to have a relationship with God w/o the bible or one specific church.

Since God is life, and all people have life, and life is what allows people to write words, you could also say that any written word is God's word. I just happen to believe that the bible is a special kind of God's verbage.

And having a relationship with God w/o the Church (Catholic Church) or the bible, is fine, but I dunno why you'd want to: it's kind like saying you're going to walk to Alaska but you're not going to use the maps other people in the past have laid down for you. It's your choice. It just doesn't make a lot of sense.

Answer 2

No. The Bible is the Word of God because no one can predict the future and never be wrong like the Bible.

Sure, you can have a relationship with God without the Bible and the church. The Holy Spirit can teach you all you need to know, but faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. So someone needs to read the gospel to you or preach the gospel to you, if God doesn't bring it Himself.

Answer 3

I believe the bible is the word of God. But thousands of people have had a relationship with God without the bible. and a church ie. Moses and Adam and Eve etc. It is good to read the bible because like all good books it helps you get to know the person of Jesus.
A church is a gathering of people who believe as you do, again it is a way of getting to know Jesus

Answer 4

Not really. After all, without the Bible, how do you know that what you THINK is God really IS God, and not a demon in disguise. After all (and if you were to read the Bible, you would discover this for yourself, but), "Even the devil can appear as an angel of light."

So, the Bible is our protection against satanic counterfeits.

As far as church, it's a great place to hear the word of God expounded on. The Bible also says "Do not forsake gathering with the saints."

And finally, it says that EVERY Scripture is inspired by God.

Answer 5

I think there's middle ground between saying the Bible is just a book, and the Bible is the words of God. The Bible is a collection of stories and writings of people of faith and their experience of God. It is full of meaning and truth, even as a human book. As for church, we are the "body of Christ" and no one can be a part of the body by themselves. We need each other, and the world needs us acting together on behalf of God for love, peace, justice.

Answer 6

Of course it is just a book. If people wish to believe it is the word of god, that is their prerogative. The problems come in when people take the bible or any philosophy book to have literal meaning.

If you believe that a particular god created you and rules your life, why do you need any external influences? Shouldn't the knowledge that you know god be enough?

Answer 7

Q: Is it possible that the Bible is just a book, and not the words of God at all?

A: No

Yeah, it's not just a book? Then prove it. Just because you say something is true doesn't make it so.

Answer 8

For all of you who believe the bible is the EXACT word of god ponder this..

If Bible is actually written by men who god 'spoke' through rendering it the 'word of god,' why is is that the modern day bible is comprised of several 'books/scriptures' that were SELECTED by a convention of catholic scholars? Why were some books left out? Did god tell the convention to leave them out? What about, for example, the book of Judas? Here us good Christians have been led to believe for centuries that Judas betrayed Jesus in his final days. But oops! The recent translation and 'rediscovery' of the book of Judas now reveals that Judas may have been Jesus' best friend in helping Jesus to become closer to the father by returning to his spirit form. Why was this book left out? What about the book of Mary Magdelin? (won't get caught up on that one) What about the dead sea scrolls? What other artifacts were left out/lost by the 'church?' This seems to me as an attempt to own and control a religion that does not and should not belong to 'the church administration.' It should belong to the congregation to respect and believe. This control of true religious knowlegde has been used to influence mankind for years.

I propose that the Bible is an anthology by wise people that were influenced by god and jesus. The bible is a guidline for how to live a life of betterment written by flawed humans who can't possibly understand but a small piece of the puzzle of life. I do believe that these people had extraordinary gifts bestowed upon them by god, but who are we to claim to have it all figured out? We are children, and we play as children play in gods land of adults. Jesus' message was one of community betterment and blind love for one another. If you start there that's all you need to know to be on the right path.

There is no ultimate answer just a crude map, and a long journey!

Answer 9

No, it is not possible to have a full relationship with God (the ways he wants to) without reading his word and be with the people at church. It belongs together.

Answer 10

Well first of all, the Bible isnt a book, its a volume of books.

No I dont think its possible to have a relationship without the Bible or church. The Bible is our revelation of Jesus Christ who makes that relationship possible to begin with. Church is the essence of servanthood and fellowship.