Could the Bible (supposed word of God) convert people to Christianity completely on it's own?

Question

What I mean is, suppose there was no whitnessing, no healing, no sidewalk or door to door pamphlet preaching, no political intervention. Just the Bible. Could reading it alone without anothers input be enough to convert someone to Christianity? Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Without much of the historical context for a lot of it, it would probably generate more questions than answers.

Answer 2

ABSOLUTELY NOT! This is why. The Bible is written by man, different versions have different things, it basically contradicts itself. Let me remind you that kings used to often alter the Bible to suit their own needs...hence The King James Bible!

It is in human nature to question; and no author is able to attract as many followers as the Christian Faith has no matter how good he is, none-the-less several versions of Bibles written by several authors, although a great book can attract a fan base, it is impossible to actually establish a new religion without miracles from God.

The witnessing, and healing and other miracles the Lord Almighty sent the Prophet Jesus (PBUH) with was necessary so that people would believe. As I stated before, we as humans question, we always want proof. The miracles Jesus(PBUH) performed were necessary for people to convert and truly Believe....

By the way, I am Muslim....However I went to Catholic School, went to Mass, and read the Bible in Theology. I have also read parts of The Holy Quran, and I can without a shadow of a doubt say that the Bible absolutely does not have the power to convert me to Christianity. In fact, it's very own contradictions was it's weakness, and I knew that what I reading was the word of man, maybe God-fearing noble man, but man none-the-less and open to making mistakes. The original Gospel, that indeed was the true Divine Word of God, has been long altered and perverted by those in power and is now lost in time. When reading the Quran, you can't help but feel that it is the Word of God. I cannot describe it, but it is so intricately written, the words, the grammar, the poetry, I challenge any human being to write even one sentence that can resemble those that are written in the Quran. And not one time does it contradict itself, not one time.

So as far as I am concerned, there is absolutely no way the Bible, with all of it's editions, would ever be enough to get me to convert.

Answer 3

I had the privilege of having the bible read to me every day while I was growing up. But while some words went deep, they did not take on any real meaning for me until later. It was like the stones were being laid for a foundation that I couldn't quite see the sense of it. I had many questions about some of the things in the bible, but did not ask them, and when I began to ask, what came to me were actual visualizations of certain events.

The first one I remember asking clearly was about the Eucharist, and what it means. I think I was about 22 at the time, and searching for a meaning in my life. What happened was that I saw what God sees when people come up to the altar to receive Him. What He sees are soldiers (well, it was a medieval knight) battered by the world, and no matter the condition of the armour, He loves and respects our presence.

It kind of blew my mind, and I couldn't get that image of the dented knight out of my mind.

After that, it seemed to me that more and more of the MEANING of the gospel and epistles opened up in my mind in a very powerful and moving way. No matter what anyone says to ridicule me or my beliefs, I'll never forget the things I have learned.


edit: in no way was studying about my faith like studying about biology, chemistry, psychology or Shakespeare. None of those, while I had an interest in them, ever came out at me the way the theology did. Nothing ever said to me: "Aha! There's the loop-hole in the molecular theory!!!!"

Answer 4

You will not get the understanding by just picking up the bible and reading it, You must first repent of your sins, bring love into your heart, love for every one. This will change your whole being. You will be drawn to the bible for knowledge, a new feeling of peace will fill your being. you will be set free. If you then want help, you then need to find some one, with the same feelings you have, together you could help each other with understanding. God will be watching you, and He is able to see your heart, He will not let you stumble.

Answer 5

Yes, I believe it can and does. I know of a woman from China who heard the scripture "you knit me together my mother's womb, I am fearfully and wonderfully made" and couldn't get it out of her head. She hadn't been proselytized to and hadn't grown up around Christianity. For whatever reason, that stuck in her head and she became a Christian. I'm sure she's not the only one to whom that has happened.

The story around Dostoyevsky's conversion is that while he was in prison, he *only* had the gospel of Matthew to read. That's how he became a Christian.

There must be many other such stories. The Lord's Word stands and does not return void. Not to mention God will use whatever means necessary to save someone if they are one of His sheep. If that's a dream about Jesus for someone who has never heard about Jesus (and this is more frequent than you might imagine, I've heard of many converts who came to Jesus in this way) then He'll do that. If the person has access to a Bible or even a piece of scripture, He'll use that. He's creative like that. :)

Answer 6

Reading the bible many times is what finally fully convinced me it was NOT right for me.

I think if someone were simply to pick it up and read it, they wouldn't convert unless they were very weak minded.

Likely they would consider it a rather dry fantasy story.

Answer 7

...isn't the Bible the only thing that people should base their salvation on? The Bible testifies Jesus. In fact, people can be saved without the Bible. God works in many ways to save people. True Christianity is Biblical Christianity, though. So, if someone were to randomly pick up the Bible and read the entire thing without ever having contact with people who tried to convert them (not that people can convert; only God can), then they should know what to do to be saved.

That is to repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ. The only true Christians are those who follow the Bible. We can't go our own ways in our actions and beliefs, because that would be creating a God that suits ourselves. We have to trust in the Bible as 100% true or not. Fortunately, it proves itself to be true in every area of life.

But enough listening to me. God can save (convert) you if you read the Bible. Please start reading and spread the word.

Answer 8

Yes if someone read the bible, I think it would convert them to something. It took me away from Christianity but I think for some it might bring them closer to it .

Answer 9

Yes it could and has. Go to www.amazingfacts.org and read the story of Doug Batchelor. The book about his conversion is called "The Richest Caveman". You can find it on this website as well as a lot of other good stuff on studying the Bible.

Answer 10

Yes, and it has. We only have the view as Americans: that we can see it any old time. But in Communist China, Russia, and North Korea, not to mention the middle-eastern countries, it many times is the only way they find Jesus. Because others want to kill them.

Read it: you can see that you indeed come to a real relationship with God.

Answer 11

After reading and analyzing that book I think very possibly the non-believer would run. That book COULD NOT inspire anyone - even with an IQ of 50 or less.