Are some parts of the Bible more important than others, or are all parts equally important?

Question

For example, are the words Jesus spoke in the gospels more important than laws specifically enacted for Hebrews, minor historical incidents, songs, and proverbs in the Old Testament? Are Jesus' "red letter" words more important than the interpretations of St. Paul, or the cryptic prophesies encoded in Revelation?

If all the words in the Bible are as important as the recorded words of Jesus Christ, isn't the Bible your Lord rather than Jesus?

Answer 1

I view the words of Jesus in the gospels as the most important part. He is the Word made flesh. The OT is the collection of writings that inspired Jesus. As a child in the temple, he had an astounding understanding of the law and prophets (Luke 2:46-47). In his ministry, he was always quoting scripture. On the cross, dying, he recited a psalm. He found within these books a continuous affirmation of who he was, and what his mission was.

Being the Son of God and sinless, he could read the scriptures and understand both God's message and where people erred in understanding God's will. I, on the other hand, cannot read these same scriptures with understanding unless I know why they were written, to reveal Christ to humanity. He makes the Old Testament something I can understand in light of who he is and what he taught.

In the New Testament, he claimed to have come to fulfill the OT law and prophets (Matt 5:17). He said "everything must be fulfilled that has been written about me in the law, the prophets, and psalms" (Luke 24:44). And he also said: "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished" (Matt 5:18). What is it that is to be accomplished? Unity with God. This is what the Jews tried to attain through the law. This is what the prophets preached. And this was Jesus’s mission, to make us one with the Father, as he is one with the Father.

The bible is important for this reason only, that it reveals God to us in the person of Christ.

Answer 2

From what I can read, the Old Testament itself puts more importance on the books of the laws and the prophets than it does on the books of history, poetry, and numbers.

Personally, I agree with this. most of the parts of the OT that cause problems are not the laws or prophets. For example- the whole creationism but is based on taking Genesis literally- but Genesis is not a book of laws or prophecy so perhaps it is not to be taken so literally.

In the New Testament, the books were included because of what was basically a vote, and the book that stayed on the list against the most opposition is Revelations, so it may not be quite as central as some others. It does seem to teach something different than the rest of the New Testament.

Your last sentence, however, is slightly erroneous. You are in error if you make ANY part of the Bible an object of worship or veneration. The Bible, even the parts directly inspired by God (if not all were) is just a collection of words and thoughts- not divinity or inbued with any form of power.

Answer 3

Yes, some parts are more important.

And I agree, the words Jesus spoke, specifically in Matthew 5,6, and 7 are some of the MOST important.

The other specific laws, ordinances, rituals, etc, are meant to lead the people in the right direction.

However, the prophesies encoded in Revelation have now been opened. They are written in the book at the site below. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't have read it for myself. It changed my life. So, I would say that the book of Revelation is important, only in the fact that it willl help others come to a knowledge of the truth.

That the words of Jesus and following them are what's important:

DOING UNTO OTHERS WHAT YOU WOULD WANT DONE UNTO YOU.

Answer 4

We only have a tiny sample of the words Jesus spoke when on earth. John said, "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:30-31). But John also told us that before time began, Jesus existed with God as the Word of God (Jn 1:1). That means that when God 'spoke' creation into existence, it was the Word of God that created everything. That means that as "all scripture is inspired [God-breathed] of God and beneficial..." etc, those written words are ALL the words of the Word of God! So, no, Jesus' "red letter" words (in some translations) are not more important than the other words.

Your last sentence does not relate logically to your first sentence because Jesus is Lord of the Church. You might just as well have asked, "If the Church is as important as the recorded words of Jesus Christ, isn't the Church your Lord rather than Jesus?" This is nonsense because the Church worships the Lord of the Church. Bible-believing Christians worship the Lord of the Bible, who is Jesus Christ, the Word of God. I hope that helps put things into persepective for you. God bless.

Answer 5

The question is, to whom?

To Jews, the New Testament is irrelevant.

To unbelievers the whole thing is irrelevant.

Some want to pick and choose only the parts that agree with their political or moral positions.

From the perspective of one for whom the Bible is important, not all words in it are of the same importance. The promises made to Abraham and his descendants don't apply to Christians today. The promises made to Christians don't apply to Jews. Statements Jesus made to his disciples may or may not apply to us.

For example I know of a church that denies that the Great Commission applies to Christians today. Jesus commandment to "Go into all the world and make disciples" is a command they see being made to his disciples who were alive at the time, and they carried it out.

Many people see a difference between Jesus ministry to the Jews while he was here on earth and the commandments to the church that came after he left. That is, he spent time talking about an economy (the earthly kingdom of God) that was rejected by the Jews and therefore delayed. If you take that position you don't count those words as important as others Jesus spoke later that pertain to us today.

So the question is vague but a general answer should suffice: It isn't the intent of the Bible that each of its words be as important as every other word.

Answer 6

Obviously, you need to do some more field work. Consider this: 1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. The Greek word "meats" here is "that which is eaten, food". Consider this also: 2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. As the Lord has said: "You strain at a gnat and swallow a camel". Why are you wasting your precious time with these kinds of things when the same time could be spent acquiring real, useful knowledge that can save your soul and all your house. You are responsible to God for the spiritual well being of your family and you pursue this drivel? Love

Answer 7

I think you worded this strangely, but if you mean what I think you mean (that people pay more attention to what the Bible says than what Jesus said) then I agree with you. There are many Christians out there who believe that the Old Testiment is equal in standing to the words of Christ, but I have never personally held that true. I believe that the Old Testiment is important, but primarily as a historical document. Also, the Old Testiment tells us what life was like before Jesus, giving us a more concrete idea of what would happen to people and what life would have been like if He had not been sent....which should make us all the more appreciative of Him.

For example-the Old Testiment tells us that when people sinned before Jesus the world experienced some dire consequences-the Great Flood, fire and brimstone from the sky, plagues and the like. People also had to show repentance to God by killing their animals, and they were held to standards so high and righteous that no one could stand to them. This showed us what the world would be like if people were made to pay for their own sins. This only underscores the love, grace, and mercy of God that instead of having people continue to suffer these great burdens of their own sin, he sent his son to be the ultimate sacrifice for all of our sin. We no longer have to worry about God raining fire on our heads or telling us to kill our first born children.

In this way, the New Testiment-or, more specifically, Jesus-turns all of the Old Testiment into a historical reference rather than a document for people to live by. It is an illustration of what once was, but not what is expected of us now. Since Jesus-as He said-the only way to the Father is through Him. Not through following Old Testiment sentiments and fears, but through simply believing that Jesus is the Son of God who saved you from paying the consequences of your own sin-as people did in the Old Testiment.

Very good question!

Answer 8

All the Holy Scriptures are good for different reasons. The teachings of Jesus are the basic of Christianity.

I have no material possession so dear to me as the written word of God. However, that does not make it my God, it is still the word of God, and God is all I worship, and praise.

Answer 9

There are definitely parts of the Bible that are more important than others. But it all depends on which day I'm reading to tell which are more important on that particular day. The Bible is God's inspired word. It is Him speaking to me. One day, something Jesus said might be very important that God wants me to know....other days, it might be something He inspired Isaiah to write. Either way, no - I don't worship paper. But I do worship the Author of the words on the paper.

Answer 10

They are all equally. I am catholic, and in 5th grade and in my church there are classes and I learn about Jesus, the Lord and other stuff. All the parts of a Bible are all equally and really important. Trust me they are equally important!