I thought this was so neat and I just wanted to share it with you all. The author is unknown but what he said is pretty profound. I wasn't sure where to post this, but this section seemed appropriate.
The Bible: The Book of Books!
THIS BOOK contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is given you in life, will be opened in judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibilities, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
-Author Unknown
middletownbiblechurch.org/bofbooks/books.htm
yes. it was in the cover on the gideons bibles (I think it was gideons) thet gave away by the hundreds at schools when i was at school (1970 it was, or 71), and most of them ended up being torn up and littering the play ground. I had too much respect for books even then, so i slipped it into a drawer, and got it out wheh i was converted some 8 years later. Can't find it now, 30 years later. it seems to have disappeared. . . . . .
(05-20-2009 11:54 PM)LindaR Wrote: [ -> ]I thought this was so neat and I just wanted to share it with you all. The author is unknown but what he said is pretty profound. I wasn't sure where to post this, but this section seemed appropriate.
The Bible: The Book of Books!
THIS BOOK contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is given you in life, will be opened in judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibilities, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
-Author Unknown
middletownbiblechurch.org/bofbooks/books.htm
I suppose I will be the grand old party pooper extrodinaire, but I find that description to be rather uninspiring 
It's not that the things listed are not true in a way, but is Christ the Bible's "grand object"? That phrase is weird. Is that all He is worth - a 5 word phrase? Why is not "JESUS CHRIST" used and glorified? 
Knowing the history of the Gideon Bible, I suspect that there is agenda in the way this piece is written. To be honest, it kind of gave me the creeps
Sorry, it just hit me way wrong 
nothing personal, Linda 
(05-20-2009 11:54 PM)LindaR Wrote: [ -> ]I thought this was so neat and I just wanted to share it with you all. The author is unknown but what he said is pretty profound. I wasn't sure where to post this, but this section seemed appropriate.
The Bible: The Book of Books!
THIS BOOK contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is given you in life, will be opened in judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibilities, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
-Author Unknown
middletownbiblechurch.org/bofbooks/books.htm
This morning when I was looking for the source of the above quote (since it says Author Unknown) I found the same quote on the same website (with a slight change in wording):
Quote: The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
It also had this disclaimer:
Quote:I had originally put "Author Unknown" to this tribute, but a visitor to this web page said that this tribute is from Finis Dake and can be found on page 241 of the New Testament, at the bottom of the page, in his Dakes Annotated Bible. The use of this tribute does not mean that we are in agreement with all of the notes in this study Bible.
Another visitor to this web page has an old newspaper clipping of this quote that gives the author as Corey J. Hicks.
middletownbiblechurch.org/bstudy/tribute.htm
After searching many sites on the web, I cannot ascertain who wrote the paragraph Linda posted.
While it may be in Dakes Annotated Bible, that does not automatically mean the quote is not correct.
I found a book on Google books that gives the credit for the paragraph to someone named Robert Chapman. Other sites say Dake and Hicks. Most say anonymous.
Dakes may have taken it from someone else.
Here is an interesting description of the Word of God...
The Bible is a beautiful palace, built up out of sixty-six blocks of marble—its separate books. In the first chapter of Genesis we enter the vestibule, which is filled with the mighty acts of creation. The vestibule gives access to the law courts, the five books of Moses.
Passing through these we come to the picture gallery of the historical books. Here we find hung upon the walls scenes of battlefields, representations of heroic deeds, and portraits of eminent men belonging to the early days of the world’s history.
Beyond the picture gallery we find the philosopher’s chamber, the Book of Job. Passing on we enter the music room the Book of Psalms, where we listen to the grandest strains that ever fell on human ears.
Then we come to the business office, the Book of Proverbs, where right in the center of the room stands facing us the motto:
“Righteousness exalteth a nation;
but sin is a reproach to any people.”
From the business office we pass into the chapel Ecclesiastes, or the preacher in his pulpit, and thence into the conservatory, the Song of Solomon, with the rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley and all manner of fine perfumes fruits, and flowers.
Finally we reach the observatory, the prophets with their telescopes fixed on near and distant stars, and all directed toward the Bright and Morning Star that was soon to arise.
Crossing the court we come to the audience chamber of the King, the Gospels, where we find four lifelike portraits of the King Himself. Next we enter the workroom of the Holy Spirit, the Acts of the Apostles, and beyond that the correspondence room, the Epistles, where we see Paul and Peter and James and Jude busy at their desks. If you would know what they are writing about, their Epistles are open for all to study.
Before leaving we stand for a moment in the outside gallery, the Revelation, where we look upon some striking pictures of the judgment to come and the glories to be revealed, concluding with an awe-inspiring picture of the throne room of the King.
(W. Duns)
(05-21-2009 01:17 PM)LindaR Wrote: [ -> ]This morning when I was looking for the source of the above quote (since it says Author Unknown) I found the same quote on the same website (with a slight change in wording):
Quote: The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
It also had this disclaimer:
Quote:I had originally put "Author Unknown" to this tribute, but a visitor to this web page said that this tribute is from Finis Dake and can be found on page 241 of the New Testament, at the bottom of the page, in his Dakes Annotated Bible. The use of this tribute does not mean that we are in agreement with all of the notes in this study Bible.
Another visitor to this web page has an old newspaper clipping of this quote that gives the author as Corey J. Hicks.
middletownbiblechurch.org/bstudy/tribute.htm
If Dake wrote it, then it's no wonder it makes me uncomfortable [understatement]. If Hicks wrote it, I would question his understanding of the purpose of God's Word.
see new thread: Dake's Annotated Reference Bible:
http://www.seekgod.ca/forum/showthread.php?tid=330
Looking through the quote written by Hicks carefully, I would say that a Muslim could say the same about his qur'an.
So why does it bother me so much? It's missing the basic truth that unless one is a believer in Christ and has been born again by the Holy Spirit, the Bible is just another book. In order for the Bible to "profit a man", it has to be discerned by the Holy Spirit and that is what this "summary" is missing. I also see some contradictions with scripture.
"The Bible is the mind of God". The Bible contains what God wants us to know about Him, but it is not His whole mind.
"Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy." 
One can only be wise by the indwelt Holy Spirit. As Jesus told the pharisees:
Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Joh 5:40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.
I am not sure what "believe it to be safe" means - ambiguous statement.
"Practice it to be holy" is incorrect. We cannot "do" anything to be holy. We are holy through the blood of Jesus, and because of the indwelt Holy Spirit.
Our Light, our Food, our Comfort is in Christ. Yes the Word of God comforts us, gives us spiritual food, and is light, but unless we belong to Him, we cannot enjoy the benefits of God's Word spiritually - which is what it is intended for.
I think it's clear that the writer is a little confused 
I did think there was a tincture of bibliolatry to the piece, however.
The letter kills, or at best it only accurately describes. The One who the book is about is the one who imparts life. Too many evangelicals forget that the book is about something beyond itself, and had to be if it were in fact true.
It pays it rememver that it was not the Book that was crucified. THE thing is the Book is tangiuble, ity can be touched and held, and the Spirit essentially cannot be.
So men will hanker for the book and think their passion for it is not idolatry. But if they do not love God and their neighbour, if their fruit is bad then their passion for the Book is likely Bibliolatry.
Been there, done that, and I beleve the Lord gave me repentance of that one some years ago
(05-21-2009 11:17 PM)Strefanash Wrote: [ -> ]I did think there was a tincture of bibliolatry to the piece, however.
The letter kills, or at best it only accurately describes. The One who the book is about is the one who imparts life. Too many evangelicals forget that the book is about something beyond itself, and had to be if it were in fact true.
It pays it rememver that it was not the Book that was crucified. THE thing is the Book is tangiuble, ity can be touched and held, and the Spirit essentially cannot be.
So men will hanker for the book and think their passion for it is not idolatry. But if they do not love God and their neighbour, if their fruit is bad then their passion for the Book is likely Bibliolatry.
Been there, done that, and I beleve the Lord gave me repentance of that one some years ago
I didn't post that piece to promote "bibliolatry".
From Wikipedia:
Bibliolatry (from the Greek biblion "book" + latria "worship") is the worship of a particular book.
In the case of Christianity, the term bibliolatry is used in a derogatory sense toward those who either have an extreme devotion to the Bible, or hold to a high view of biblical inerrancy [1].However Historic Christianity has never endorsed worship of the Bible itself, as worship is explicitly reserved only for God Himself.
For the remainder of the article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibliolatry
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1 Peter 2:2)
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17)
Our faith comes from "hearing" the Word of God. We grow spiritually by "desiring" the "sincere milk of the Word. And Jesus said we are "sanctified" through the Word of God. That is not bibliolatry.
Timothy was taught the Scriptures by his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois:
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. (2 Timothy 1:5)
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
In addition, I am not promoting Dake's Annotated Bible. Finis Dake was a heretic...and it was a visitor to the website I posted who stated that they found that quote in the Dake's Annotated Bible. I believe that Finis Dake simply quoted it. I have that same statement in my "Defined King James Bible" from Bible for Today. Most of the websites I found with that particular piece about the Bible stated that the author was "unknown". Therefore, the credit for that piece does not go to Finis Dake...and the reference to Corey J. Hicks is probably incorrect also.
I love and worship the Author of the Holy Scriptures...the triune God. I love the Word of God.
Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. (Psalms 119:159)
Here's a poem by Gertrude Grace Barker Sanborn, called "The Bible"...it's copied from the front of my Defined King Jame Bible:
The Bible
Majestic, eternal, immutable Book,
Inspired, inerrant, complete.
The Light of my path as I walk on life’s way,
The Guide and the Lamp to my feet.
Its writings are holy and verbally true,
The unalterable Statute of Light,
For profit, for doctrine, for correction, reproof,
Infallible Guide to the right.
My Treasure, my Comfort, my Help, and my Stay,
Incomparable Measure and Rod,
Each page is replete with textual proof,
The Bible, the exact Word of God!
Gertrude Grace Barker Sanborn
(1904-1988)
The author of the poem is the Grandmother of D.A. Waite, Jr. and Daniel S. Waite and is the mother in law of Dr. D. A. Waite. This poem was dedicated in 1979 to The Dean Burgon Society, "In Defense of Traditional Bible Texts."
(05-22-2009 02:53 AM)LindaR Wrote: [ -> ] I didn't post that piece to promote "bibliolatry".
From Wikipedia:
Bibliolatry (from the Greek biblion "book" + latria "worship") is the worship of a particular book.
In the case of Christianity, the term bibliolatry is used in a derogatory sense toward those who either have an extreme devotion to the Bible, or hold to a high view of biblical inerrancy [1].However Historic Christianity has never endorsed worship of the Bible itself, as worship is explicitly reserved only for God Himself.
For the remainder of the article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibliolatry
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1 Peter 2:2)
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17)
Our faith comes from "hearing" the Word of God. We grow spiritually by "desiring" the "sincere milk of the Word. And Jesus said we are "sanctified" through the Word of God. That is not bibliolatry.
Timothy was taught the Scriptures by his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois:
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. (2 Timothy 1:5)
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
In addition, I am not promoting Dake's Annotated Bible. Finis Dake was a heretic...and it was a visitor to the website I posted who stated that they found that quote in the Dake's Annotated Bible. I believe that Finis Dake simply quoted it. I have that same statement in my "Defined King James Bible" from Bible for Today. Most of the websites I found with that particular piece about the Bible stated that the author was "unknown". Therefore, the credit for that piece does not go to Finis Dake...and the reference to Corey J. Hicks is probably incorrect also.
I love and worship the Author of the Holy Scriptures...the triune God. I love the Word of God.
Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. (Psalms 119:159)
Here's a poem by Gertrude Grace Barker Sanborn, called "The Bible"...it's copied from the front of my Defined King Jame Bible:
The Bible
Majestic, eternal, immutable Book,
Inspired, inerrant, complete.
The Light of my path as I walk on life’s way,
The Guide and the Lamp to my feet.
Its writings are holy and verbally true,
The unalterable Statute of Light,
For profit, for doctrine, for correction, reproof,
Infallible Guide to the right.
My Treasure, my Comfort, my Help, and my Stay,
Incomparable Measure and Rod,
Each page is replete with textual proof,
The Bible, the exact Word of God!
Gertrude Grace Barker Sanborn
(1904-1988)
The author of the poem is the Grandmother of D.A. Waite, Jr. and Daniel S. Waite and is the mother in law of Dr. D. A. Waite. This poem was dedicated in 1979 to The Dean Burgon Society, "In Defense of Traditional Bible Texts."
Ahhh, I see the problem. The Dean Burgon Society is King James Only, which holds the King James Version as infallible, including every comma, period, word, and capital letter. This would be a type of "bibliolatry".
The Word of God is Jesus Christ. The verses you have quoted are in reference to the Gospel - which is Jesus. Without Him and His indwelt Spirit, there is no washing of the Word, no hearing of the Word, etc.
The issue is elevating the Word above Jesus Christ and I believe that both writings do this. Jesus is our Stay and Comfort, our Light and Salvation. This is the New Covenant. Without Him, the Scriptures are lifeless. If this is not the preeminent concept, then elevating the Bible does indeed become idolatry.
The Bible is the "result" of Jesus Christ. He is the Author, not the other way around.
Please do not misunderstand my position. For me, the Bible is amazing, incredible, awesome - The Word of God to my heart and my life. It is beautiful. I believe it is the greatest miracle of all time giving us the pure Word of God in Jesus Christ and through Him. I am in awe that God would preserve it to this day as He promised. The Word of God is Life, but ONLY IN Jesus Christ. He must be preeminent.
Bibliolatry is not the same thing as believing in it inerrancy. BUT those who hold it as inerrant do tend to worship the Book, as a carnal response to it.
That the Bible does not recommend bibliolatry, that historic christianity does not either is not strictly relelvant. That we say that worship is reserved to God alone does not mean that we in fact worship only God.
I have already made clear the distinction: passion for an appurtenance of the gospel is idolatrous if we do not love God, and whether we love God or not is seen by our fruit, especially our careless words uttered when our guard is down.
I do not love God, i will not lie against the truth by claiming i ever did, so all my passions for truth, the bible etc have been or still are idolatrous.
I believe my passion for the Bible has gone, through repentance bestowed as a gift of God. Incidentally this makes me more amenable, not less, to being lead to believe what it says. But my zeal for truth is still llikely idolatrous.
And, no, this is not indulging in self depreceation. It is merely stating fact about myself and my christians practise (ie religion as it says in James: if any cannot control his tongue - and i cannot- his religion is worthless).
these are facts, stated without comdemnation just as i would state my height, 5 foot 10, my eye colour, blue, etc.
the tendency with bibliolators is to turn bible reading into a sacrament, ie a magical rite whereby the mere reading of the thing itself cleanses us from sin
THIS BOOK contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, etc etc etc
Stref:
not true. THis book DESCRIBES the mind of God. The description is accurate but as we are sinners we will not be made wise by merely reading the book. Bible reading is necessary but not of itself enough . Not that I am advocating forced striving, not at all, but rather that we obey the book ultimately by coming to the Spirit the books talks about constantly
QUOTE:
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.
As a carnal mind I could not practise it. my attempt has stirred up sin and made it worse. AS a carnal mind i was and to some extent still remained locked in unbelief, an i cannot submit. Therefore telling me to believe the Book to be safe is useless as well as highly dangerous and such becomes a legalism of thought efven mroe crushing than legalism of action. I could not even understand where the light directs me to if i am darkened in my mind as a carnal sinner. I need the Holy Spirit to persuade me to even notice what is written is plain black and white. It is a description of food to be got, not the food itself, a conscience as weak as mine has been driven to despair by feling condemned at being aware that I did not believe the comfort offered.
It is a book of LAW, and as such killed me,. The Holy SPirit it was, and who continues, to guide me, and I know it is the Spirit as He is opening the book to me just as the disciples on the Road to Emmaus had their eyes opened. This Spirit does not contradict the Book in any way, but without the Spirit the book is in fact my worse nightmare.
For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
and NO, i do not reject the Bible. but it is not the centre of my faith. it is a necessary aid to help me recognizing the works and character of He who is becoming the centre: the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, God the Son.
I submit that to make the Bible the centre is to disbelive what it is about.
The Bible is an imperial manifesto issued by the King of Kings. We are to report in person to his presence and stay there. these are the terms. the rest is to show us deluded ones that we are in fact not in his presence etc, if that be the case
Further confirmation that i am not advocating dumping the Bible. Ultimately it is to be the text book the teacher uses. but by the teacher/student situation i do not mean a class of kids at tables, 30 or more, and a teacher up front. I mean one on one personal tutelage by the Spirit as my friend mentor as well as master Spovereign Father and Lord.
WE are disciples of christ in the ancient world sense of the word disciple, such as with Socrates. (I speak of Socrates teacehing methods, NOT of what he taught) A teacher had a personal relationship with his scholars and were taught in dialogue. AS it was with Jesus and the 12. So with us with the Holy Spirit
And yes the Holy Spirit and I discuss the Bible for hours on end and this has continued for 25 years.
The question is: is the Spirit one associates with the Holy Spirit or some other? WE are to get in with the right One, not to reject the notion altogether and cling to the letter of scripture, for without this discipleship the letter of scripture becomes our death warrant