{"id":7263,"date":"2022-05-14T02:08:02","date_gmt":"2022-05-14T07:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/quisutdeus\/?p=7263"},"modified":"2022-05-14T02:08:02","modified_gmt":"2022-05-14T07:08:02","slug":"bibliolatry-the-ultimate-form-of-cherry-picking-bible-verses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/quisutdeus\/2022\/05\/bibliolatry-the-ultimate-form-of-cherry-picking-bible-verses\/","title":{"rendered":"Bibliolatry: The Ultimate Form of Cherry-Picking Bible Verses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Some time ago, I heard the word \u201cBibliolatry\u201d in a discussion video between Christian apologetics Mike Winger and Alisa Childers. My first impression, just from the connotation alone, was that \u201cBibliolatry\u201d means to literally \u201cworship the Bible\u201d. Now, I think it instead refers to Christians cherry-picking Bible verses for their agendas.<\/p>\n

Defining Bibliolatry<\/h2>\n
This segment from Alisa Childer\u2019s discussion with Mike Winger taught me about the word \u201cBibliolatry\u201d:<\/p>\n
<\/iframe><\/p>\nI wholeheartedly agree with Mike and Alisa. No Christian should ever consciously \u201cworship\u201d the Bible. Like Mike says, the crucial thing is to respect what Jesus commands us to do in His Word.<\/p>\nSo what exactly qualifies as \u201cBibliolatry\u201d, then?<\/p>\nI think it\u2019s another way to reference Christians who pick and choose what to believe out of the Bible.<\/p>\n<h2>With a Cherry On Top!<\/h2>\nHere\u2019s an excellent video I found by Christian YouTuber Halidom addressing the issue of Christians who cherry-pick Bible verses:<\/p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Do Christians Cherry Pick the Bible? | A Response to Jimmy Snow\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/W21ux6kd9PU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\nI agree with Halidom, it can be really difficult\u00a0not\u00a0<\/strong>cherry-picking at times. With multiple different views in the Bible, specifically among the four Gospels, this can be tricky.<\/p>\nShe gave a great example of contradiction in verses by pointing out one such instance in 1 Corinthians. Those who say women shouldn\u2019t preach use <a href=\"https:\/\/biblehub.com\/1_corinthians\/14-34.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\" decorated-link\">1 Corinthians 14<\/a> as support. However, Halidom notes that just a few chapters earlier, the text also gives guidelines for both men and women on how to properly prophesy.<\/p>\nHalidom pointed out that cherry-picking can also come from willfully ignoring uncomfortable passages. Isn\u2019t that ironic? I\u2019ve done the same thing when facing certain passages in the Old Testament.<\/p>\nOn top of her great analysis of what it means to cherry-pick, Halidom also gave a deliciously ironic example of general cherry-picking. Like she said in her video, we Christians can\u2019t call the Bible a \u201crule book\u201d while refusing to obey every single command in its pages. There are so many Old Testament rules that we refuse to obey, as it is.<\/p>\nIt\u2019s a tragedy that some Christians seek to justify legalistic, harmful ideologies nonetheless.<\/p>\n<h2>Twisting the Bible to Justify Abuse<\/h2>\nNo Christian should ever use Bible verses to self-authorize perpetuating cruelty against somebody else. Even then, both spouses and parents seem to believe that God turns a blind eye to them abusing the people trusting them.<\/p>\n<h3>Christian Spousal Abuse<\/h3>\nHere\u2019s an excellent video on Christian spousal abuse by Dr. Charleys Lyons:<\/p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Christians In Abusive Relationships - What Does The Bible Say?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5kQf4SGlAcI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\nI appreciate Dr. Lyons calling out \u201cChristians\u201d who use the Bible to justify their cruelty against others. He did a great job breaking down the Bible verses used by abusive spouses to justify their abuse of their partners. It\u2019s so important that he reminded us in this video that verbal abuse can quickly escalate into physical abuse.<\/p>\nThis quote stands out to me the most:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\u201c\u2026But do not confuse being patient and forgiving with a justification for you to be abused by this other person.\u201d<\/p>\n-Dr. Charles Lyons<\/p><\/blockquote>\nDr. Lyons references this verse from Ephesians:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\u201cBe kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.\u201d (Ephesians 4:32)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nHe says that this verse beautifully sums up the Christian spirit. However, he also warns us to not let an abuser use this or similar passages to coerce us into accepting abusive treatment.<\/p>\nWhile we\u2019re called to forgive one another, abusers can\u2019t demand that we blindly ignore their unrepentant sins against us.<\/p>\n<h3>Christian Parental Abuse<\/h3>\nUnfortunately, there are \u201cChristian\u201d parents who seemingly don\u2019t care about what Jesus said about those who make little ones stumble (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblehub.com\/matthew\/18-6.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\" decorated-link\">Matthew 18:6<\/a>). One of the most horrific examples I\u2019ve come across is this following instance, where a little girl named Lydia was beaten to death by her parents.<\/p>\nContent\/Trigger Warning: This video directly mentions an instance of \u201cChristian\u201d parents killing a child through physical abuse. Towards the end of this video, they show images of the wounds sustained by Lydia\u2019s older sister.<\/strong><\/p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Christian Parents Beat Their Daugther to Death for God\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fnByMXrdvbY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\nLydia, a 7-year-old child, was beaten to death by her \u201cChristian\u201d parents. According to the commentator in this video, her corpse was comparable to an earthquake or bombing victim.<\/p>\nIt\u2019s openly surmised in this video that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/is-conservative-christian-group-no-greater-joy-ministries-pushing-parents-to-beat-kids-to-death\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\" decorated-link\">Michael and Debi Pearl\u2019s teachings<\/a> were a direct inspiration for this murder. The Pearls run their ministry\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nogreaterjoy.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\" decorated-link\">No Greater Joy<\/em><\/a>, through which they purport a dangerous misinterpretation of disciplinary Bible verses. Michael wrote the book\u00a0To Train Up a Child<\/em>, which influenced Lydia\u2019s foster parents to violently beat her to the point of death.<\/p>\n<h4>Think of the Children! No, Really.<\/h4>\nWhat\u2019s there to say about Christians who think this is ok? Yes, kids need to be disciplined. Absalom, the manipulative son of King David, is a prime example of what happens when parents don\u2019t admonish their child\u2019s wrongdoings (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20Samuel%2015&version=CEV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\" decorated-link\">2 Samuel 15<\/a>).<\/p>\nBut how can any Christian feel justified to say that they\u2019re authorized to\u00a0beat\u00a0<\/strong>children to this degree? Do they really think for a second that Jesus applauds this? How is this not self-righteousness in action?<\/p>\nAh, but clearly, they\u2019ve \u201cfollowed the Bible to a \u2018T'\u201d, right? Well, I guess these verses don\u2019t matter then:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\u201cFathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.\u201d (Colossians 3:21)<\/p>\n\u201cFathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.\u201d (Ephesians 6:4)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nYes, the Bible tells us to honor our parents. But it also warns parents to avoid mistreating their children.<\/p>\nAs somebody who dealt with an emotionally abusive step-dad at one point, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/quisutdeus\/2021\/05\/dont-embitter-your-children-a-message-for-christian-fathers-in-colossians-321\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\" decorated-link\">Colossians 3:21<\/a> means the world to me. For the sake of all children, I wish that these verses were taught just as much as others.<\/p>\n<h2>Making an Idol Out of Dogma<\/h2>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com\/can-the-bible-become-an-idol\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\" decorated-link\">Obsessing over verses that justify your worldview<\/a> is idolatry. Instead of listening to the instructions of the Holy Spirit, you harden your heart against mercy and listen solely to your self-righteous views.<\/p>\nOne of my all-time favorite verses is this one:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\u201cFor I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.\u201d (Hosea 6:6)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nJesus references this same verse during one of His talks in the New Testament:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\u201cGo and learn what this means: \u2018I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.\u2019 For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.\u201d (Matthew 9:13).<\/p><\/blockquote>\nMay we all take care not to be like the Pharisees who opposed Jesus. They said that they followed the Law to the letter, but they willfully refused to practice mercy towards others.<\/p>\nChristians who use the Bible to justify their sins against others are just like those Pharisees. What\u2019s the point of saying that you \u201cfollow the Bible\u201d when you violate its commands to be merciful and loving?<\/p>\nJesus spoke clever words to undermine the self-righteous. Anybody who claims to be righteous without practicing love and mercy is kidding themselves. Because if there\u2019s no love behind what we Christians do, what\u2019s the point (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%2013&version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\" decorated-link\">1 Corinthians 13<\/a>)?<\/p>\nFeatured Image by jclk8888\/Pixabay<\/em><\/p>\nHello, and thank you for supporting my work here on Patheos! If you\u2019d like to support me further, please feel free to \u201cBuy Me A Coffee\u201d here:<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buymeacoffee.com\/connorb943C\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\" decorated-link\">https:\/\/www.buymeacoffee.com\/connorb943C<\/a><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Bibliolatry is a word that refers to Christians cherry-picking Bible verses for the sake of dogma. This can easily lead to using verses to justify abuse.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4635,"featured_media":7277,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[627,630,1106,1100,12,1206,21,1103,24],"class_list":["post-7263","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-religion","tag-bible","tag-bible-analysis","tag-bible-idolatry","tag-bibliolatry","tag-christianity","tag-domestic-abuse","tag-god","tag-idolatry","tag-jesus"],"yoast_head":"\n<title>Bibliolatry: The Ultimate Form of Cherry-Picking Bible Verses<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bibliolatry is a word that refers to Christians cherry-picking Bible verses for the sake of dogma. 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