Should you allow yourself to be called a Christian if you haven't read the entire bible?

Answer 1

Christianity isn't based upon completing a list, whatever it may be.

I have read and translated the Bible from the original Greek and Hebrew, but that doesn't make me more a Christian than one who has never read the entire text in English.

Christians are redeemed in Christ, not people who meet a laundry list to prove their worth.

Ath

Answer 2

Yes, b/c reading the whole bible doesn't make someone a christian(have a relationship with God) b/c honestly an atheist could pick up the bible and read it but doesn't mean he believes it. It's one thing to just read the bible and it's another to read the bible and understand it and apply it to your life. I could read the bible three but doesn't mean I was really into it and applying it to my life and learning from it. There are some Christians that believe in God,walk in faith and believing God more then some of the people who have read the bible 4 and 5 times before. Each time you read the bible no matter how many times we read the whole entire thing we will still pick up on at least one thing we doesn't remember reading or learning something else about it that we didn't realize.


Reading the entire bible has nothing to do with the state and condition of our souls and out relationship with Jesus. Applying the bible to our lives and living like God wants us to is the biggie. The bible does help and it's something we should read but not if we just do it to call ourselves Christians b/c an atheist can also do that and sometimes know more about the bible then we do.


Also I agree with Arkl... I was 6 years old when I excpected Jesus as my lord and savior at that age I am pretty sure if I would have read the bible it would have made no since to me at all. But Since then I have gotten older and have grown in the spirit and do understand what I read and I am trying everyday to apply it to my life and most importantly life for God.

Answer 3

There is a lot of stuff the Bible says that isn't very Christian, actually.

The Bible is just a basis; the entire thing wasn't meant to be followed or else we would be killing people for working on the Sabbath or eating shellfish.

I think if you can perform miracles for people, no matter how small they are, you are more than likely Christian, given that you are not countering that with bad acts that involve hate.

Believing in Jesus is another big part of Christianity.

When the Bible originated, it was passed on from mouth to ear for many, many years. I was taught the stories of the Bible through both reading and people telling me. I definitely consider myself a Christian and I feel that I am allowed to be deemed this.

Answer 4

Well, the early Christians (disciples, Paul, etc.) didn't get to read the whole Bible because it hadn't been written yet.

I doubt the thief on the cross had a chance to read much after he got saved either.

A person who read the Bible before they became a Christian probably wouldn't understand it or get much out of it, because it is the Holy Spirit speaking to our spirits after we are saved that quickens us and helps us see the truths revealed in God's Word as they apply to our lives. So reading the entire Bible first before you are a Christian would probably just confuse and discourage you. I have heard testimonies of some people who came to know Christ through reading the Bible because they were truly reading it while seeking the Lord....most of them were reading in the gospels of the New Testament (or in the case of the eunuch mentioned in the book of Acts, the prophecy of Isaiah.)

However, I get your point, and yes Christians should read and study the Bible. None of us probably read it or study it as much as we should, and we miss blessings and stunt our spiritual growth by this lack of study. Someone truly desiring to live the Christian life will crave learning more about God through Bible study, worship, prayer, and fellowship with other Christians. But the devil will do whatever he can to keep us from doing those things that would get us closer to God and to distract us with things of the flesh. Since we are human, we can and will fall short of God's ideal for us in our Christian walk, and so we won't always stay in the Word as we should.

Reading the Bible, or going to church, or saying X number of prayers, or being baptized, or anything else you add to salvation is about works and not grace and therefore, although it is certainly recommended for a Christian to develop and maintain spiritual growth, it is not necessary for salvation.

I was a Christian the moment I accepted Christ as my Savior at the age of 7, before I was able to read and understand the whole Bible. Since then I have read it, and still read it often, but not straight through in any prescribed method, but more as I am led to certain topics and passages through both individual and group study. I am no more saved now having read it than I was when I first believed. I hope and pray that I am a deeper Christian now because I have studied the Bible, but by no means do I comprehend it all yet and don't expect to in my lifetime.

Answer 5

being a saint is based upon faith and repentance.
christianity was a derogatory name before it became a religious name.
the bible, as we have it, was not compiled until the 3rd and 4th century.
The christian church therefore was based upon what they heard the apostles teach and what bishops who were ordained to teach in the different churches.
So yes, you can be called a christian without reading the entire bible but it has been my experience that one cannot remain a stereotypical christian if they actually study history and ancient manuscripts for they will become "believers" more than anything else.

Answer 6

Certainly. A Christian is one who believes in Jesus Christ. I became a Christian at a very young age and couldn't read. As I grew up I found the Old Testament too difficult to understand. I read the New Testament, but my faith in Christ was there before I even read the Bible. Reading the Bible builds faith and understanding about God. Being a Christian is a choice you make in your heart to love God.

Answer 7

I am a Christian and I have not read the entire Bible, but the majority.

When I read I make it a Bible Study, one chapter takes me to many different scriptures.

God is our judge, I don't worry about what people have to say. I know my heart is right with Him and this is all that matters.

Answer 8

Yes because before you can read and you are taught the stories but as an adult, that can read, to say you are Christian means to be Christian and to be Christian also means constantly reading and re-reading the bible. I've read it countless times. My mom read the bible to us every night at bedtime as well. How can you follow the word completely if you don't know what it says?

Answer 9

Being a Christian does not mean that you've read the whole Bible. It means that you believe that Jesus Christ came down to earth as God to die for your sins. You believe that He loves you, and did this so that you could be with Him in heaven when you die.

This may sound stupid to you, but I believe in the whole Bible, although I haven't read the whole thing. This is just because I know God and love Him. I know that He wouldn't say or do anything false. I just have faith and believe in it all, because of who He is.

Answer 10

You could still be called a Christian even if you haven't read the Bible for as long as you believe in God and you really mean your beliefs. "It's useless if you read the whole Bible but still you do not believe in God or if you do not apply it to your life. Actually even if you're not called as "Christian" for as long as you believe in God and you know your self well that you indeed believe in him; then there's no problem in that, and of course why should you care to what they say"