“An important rule of Christian accountability is that a man must never live with a woman who is not his wife,” the Pharisee church pastor explained. “If Elijah wanted to live with that widow, he should have married her first. Since he did not do so, he was living in sin.”
Pharisee church pastor, as someone who says that you will hold God accountable, I suppose that if God is to come into the world, you would crucify Him to death on a cross.
The English Standard Version (ESV) version of the Bible, a newer translation first published in 2001, has been increasing its market share steadily. It has also found an audience among those disappointed with the recent revisions of the New International Version (NIV), possibly the market leader among Bible-believing Christians. Much of this popularity is due to the ESV’s promise of being “an ‘essentially literal’ translation that seeks as far as possible to capture the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer”. However, in one Bible passage at least, the ESV’s presentation is anything but literal. Indeed, the ESV stands alone among commonly accepted Bible translations in its rendering of the passage.
Please click on the link to see a side-by-side comparison between versions of 1 Corinthians 11:3-15.
In all other versions, one can see the words “woman” and “man” consistently translated throughout the passage. However, the ESV is on its own in shifting from “woman” and “man” to “wife” and “husband” respectively in parts of the passage. The ESV translators explained themselves in the relevant footnotes, which clearly displayed their lack of fidelity:
“a. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Greek gun&emacron;. This term may refer to a woman or a wife, depending on the context
b. 1 Corinthians 11:5 In verses 5-13, the Greek word gun&emacron; is translated wife in verses that deal with wearing a veil, a sign of being married in first-century culture”
In footnote a, the translators claimed that the context called for shifting perspectives. If this were so, how come the ESV stands alone in shifting? Should not all other faithful Bible translations employ the same shift in wording? Clearly, the ESV translators are not being literal in their translation work at all here.
In footnote b, the ESV translators admitted to using “cultural factors” in how their translation. However, this is exactly what got the so called “watered-down” translations, such as the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and the NIV’s new revision into trouble. Once we adulterate the word of God and claim that things are said a certain way because of a particular cultural context, we lose the universal truth that is presented in the Bible. Instead, passages that do not fit well with contemporary sensitivities can be dismissed as “that’s the way things were back then, and means nothing today”.
1 Corinthians 11:3-15 is a passage that is commonly dismissed as not relevant to today’s Christian, but that calls for a deeper separate discussion. Here, the focus is on the ESV translators’ errors.
So what’s the big deal with one passage in the entire Bible? The answer is: faithfulness to the Word of God is at stake here. Even the ESV translation admits that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV). Note that ALL Scripture originate from God, and not “All Scripture except 1 Corinthians 11:3-15”. No matter how one feels about that particular passage, the integrity of translation of God’s Word is relevant to all.
The ESV is an “essentially literal” translation? I think not.
For the Bible’s true teaching on the eternal fate of those who die without believing in Jesus Christ, as opposed to the false feel-good teachings preached by some who call themselves pastors, listen to the excellent message ”What Happens When People Die Without Christ?” by Steve Irvin.
Yesterday, we learned of the tragic deaths of at least 12 United Nations workers in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. They were killed by rioters who were protesting against the March 20 burning of the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book, by Florida pastor Terry Jones.
So what was the motive for Jones’ Qur’an-burning stunt? His own words provide the answer:
“We must hold these countries and people ACCOUNTABLE for what they have done as well as for any excuses they may use to promote their terrorist activities. The time has come to hold Islam ACCOUNTABLE. Our United States government and our President must take a close, realistic look at the radical element Islam. Islam is not a religion of peace. It is time that we call these people to ACCOUNTABILITY.” (Emphasis mine)
In other words, Jones is an advocate of “Christian accountability”, the idea that Christians can somehow “hold others accountable”. As I have discussed before in Bible-based objections to “Christian accountability”, this heretical teaching is contrary to the Bible, and is an unwarranted intrusion into other people’s lives. While in most cases the damage of this heterodox idea of “Christian accountability” or “accountability partners” is limited to severe emotional distress, Jones’ “accountability” has led to the deaths of at least 12 innocent people.
Remember, Jesus Christ is the only one who has the authority to hold people accountable. Not Terry Jones, nor any other Christian.
People who have been presented with the gospel message of Jesus Christ are told that they can accept Jesus as Saviour. Some, being savvy consumers, demand to know how long the offer of eternal life as promised by John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”) is good for. Must one believe in Jesus Christ now, or is there time to consider? How late is too late? When Jesus returns to preside over the Final Judgement, can one declare belief at that time and still receive eternal life?
Two arguments can be made in support of the possibility of such “last ditch conversions”. They are:
1. Hebrews 13:8 says that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever”. This suggests that the love of Jesus is not time-limited, so the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ should not be time-limited either.
2. The story of Thomas (John 20:24-29) suggests the possibility of “believing after seeing”. The apostle Thomas initially doubted the claims by the other disciples of Christ that Jesus has risen from the dead, and insisted that “unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe”. Jesus later accommodated Thomas’ request. So, it is plausible that Jesus would also accommodate someone who declares that “unless I see Jesus return a second time as the One who judges, I will not believe”.
To assess the accuracy of these arguments, we need to assess whether they are consistent with the rest of the Bible, in particular the passage that describes the judgement to come.
The Final Judgement is described in Revelation 20:11-15 this way:
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”
This scene will take place somewhere outside our existing world. God is sitting in a big white majestic chair, and every person who has ever lived in history is standing in front of Him. A number of books, which contain the records of what everyone has ever done, will also be present. One by one, the records that belong to each person will be opened. There is another book that is present, called the Book of Life, which contains the names of everyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour, in accordance with John 3:16. If the person, whose records are opened, is not listed in the Book of Life, that person is sent to the lake of fire, which is eternal death. That is also where the devil was sent by then, “and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). It is referred to as “hell” by Jesus:
The Final Judgement scene described in the Bible is remarkable in the absence of any dialogue or speech. The only pronouncements significant enough to be recorded were the verdicts and sentences (if applicable) of each person, whether the person is to be sent to the lake of fire or not. No pleadings or arguments were recorded. What this means is that the Final Judgement is strictly for declaring verdicts and applicable sentencing – the “trial” is already over. The time for presenting arguments had passed, and the results are revealed. According to the Bible, it really is too late.
So what happened to the trial? Where were the arguments, both for the prosecution and defence? What did the prosecution say, and how can we mount a successful defence?
As with everything that is true, the prosecution’s arguments are contained in the Bible:
“As it is written:
‘There is none righteous, no, not one;
There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.’
‘Their throat is an open tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit’;
‘The poison of asps is under their lips’;
‘Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.’
‘Their feet are swift to shed blood;
Destruction and misery are in their ways;
And the way of peace they have not known.’
‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’” (Romans 3:10-18)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. (Romans 3:23)
The global and universal nature of condemnation is because all someone needs is to break one law that is from God, even the smallest one, even just once, and they are already guilty of violating the entire law:
“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10)
Jesus further told us that someone is guilty not just if they actually break the law, even if they just thought about breaking a law, even just once, they are already guilty:
“But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:22)
“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
In other words, to be good enough for God, one needs to be as good as God. This is an impossible achievement for any human being. And everyone is already on trial during their life.
Given this, everyone has to conclude that they are guilty under God’s law. If anyone still claims that they are not guilty, they are liars and the following words of Jesus apply to them:
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44)
So they will still be guilty, regardless of their assertions of innocence. No defence made by a person can succeed.
As for what happens to the guilty, and how one can avoid this fate, both are contained in the same Bible passage:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
The only way to avoid God’s judgement and eternal punishment is through Jesus Christ. He is the only One who is good enough for God, since He is as good as God, because He is God. (Philippians 2:5-11) As mentioned before,
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Also,
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)
If you believe in Jesus Christ, and accept Him as Lord and Saviour, then your name will be written in the Book of Life that will be opened during the Final Judgement.
At this point, many would query about people who died before ever hearing about this possibility of salvation through Jesus Christ, and perhaps wonder about what will happen to aborted/miscarried fetuses. Many learned persons have attempted to provide solutions to this puzzle, but suffice to say the Bible is silent on this topic, and we will not know the correct answer until the Final Judgement.
However, by reading this post to this point, you have already been presented with the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Whatever will happen to those who died before hearing about Jesus Christ does not apply to you. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, the important question is therefore: what is YOUR decision?
Regarding whether Jesus is being consistent by allowing a cut-off time for accepting Him as Saviour, in fact Jesus had always maintained that there will be a final judgement when people will be sorted between those who will enter eternal life, and those who will enter eternal death:
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:44-46)
“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” (John 5:28-29)
In other words, Jesus talked a lot about love and forgiveness, but He also talked about judgement and condemnation.
Regarding Thomas, since the expiry time to believe is death or the Final Judgement, of course he was still able to believe when Jesus appeared to him: the Final Judgement is still an event in the future, and he is still alive. Nonetheless, Jesus noted that it would be even better, somehow, had Thomas believed without seeing:
“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” (John 20:29)
We do not know completely how much more blessed would Thomas have been had he believed without seeing, or everything that he missed out by insisting on visual evidence. But there was something, and at the very least Thomas has been, and continue to be, saddled with the label “Doubting Thomas” for nearly 2,000 years. (Cue a “haw haw!” by Nelson Muntz)
So, since your own demise just might sneak up on you when you “didn’t see it coming”, the important question is also: what is your decision NOW?
The Final Judgement is the final event in time, after which is eternity. Since most people would have died before the Final Judgement, one may wonder where these people go in the meantime, and whether it is possible to accept Jesus Christ there.
As noted in the passage earlier, in Revelation 20:13, the dead are to be delivered to the Final Judgement from the sea, Death, and Hades. It is unclear as to who is sent to each after death, nor is it clear how distinct each of these three locations are. “Hades” is the Greek name for the place called “Sheol” in Hebrew, which is translated in Chinese as 陰間, and in English as “hell”, “realm of the dead”, “death”, or a similar term:
Since Revelation tells us that Sheol/Hades will be cast to the lake of fire after the Final Judgement, Sheol/Hades itself is not eternal death; rather, it is temporary death pending the Final Judgement. In Chinese, the lake of fire is火湖, while the term used by Jesus for hell is 地獄, both of which are different from the 陰間 of Sheol/Hades.
Apart from the fact that it is a temporary death, the Bible does not offer further details of what it is like to be in Sheol/Hades. Neither Jesus, who went there after the crucifixion, nor any person who was resurrected from the dead in the Bible, discussed the experience of being in Sheol/Hades. Therefore, it is unclear as to whether one is able to make conscious choices while in Sheol/Hades. It is entirely possible that one may “sleep through” Sheol/Hades, that is, one loses consciousness at death, and regains consciousness at the Final Judgement. Therefore, a person who decides to postpone the decision to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour until after death is taking an exceptionally high level of risk, and is certainly not wise.
It is interesting to note that the sea is also listed as a location where the dead are temporarily held pending the Final Judgement. It would appear that when Jesus calmed a storm at (Matthew 8:23-27) and subsequently walked on water (Matthew 14:23-33) at a “sea” in the form of Lake Galilee, He may be demonstrating His authority over death, among other things.
In summary, the Final Judgement is too late for someone to believe in Jesus Christ and receive eternal life. It is best for someone to receive Jesus Christ before death, to ensure that it is not too late. Again, if you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ in your life, what is your decision now?
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
In other words, there is nothing WE can do that can separate us from the love of God. There is no mistake we can make that is big enough to make Jesus disown us. So, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, and you did something wrong, move on, don’t dwell on it, and stay close to Him. That is how you avoid making the mistake again.
PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USE IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
I am Mrs. [deleted] from Kuwait. I am married to Dr. [deleted] who worked with Kuwait embassy in Cote d’Ivoire for nine years before he died in the year 2006. We were married for eleven years without a child.
He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both born again Christians. Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of 15.2Million U.S.Dollars).with one BANK in cote d’ivoire.
Presently, this money is still with the Bank. Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to cancer problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to Organisations, church or better still a Christian individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here in.
I want a church that will use this fund for churches, orphanages, widows, less privileged for propagating the word of God and to ensure that the house of God is maintained. The Bible made us to understand that blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this decision because I don’t have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I don’t want my husband’s hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers.
I don’t want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner, which is the reason for taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace. I don’t need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health, because of the presence of my husband’s relatives around me always. I don’t want them to know about this development.
With God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the BANK in Ivory Coast. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the beneficiary of this fund. I want you and the church to always pray for me because the lord is my shepherd. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian.
Whoever that wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and truth. Please always be prayerful all through your life, and any delay in your reply will give me room in searching for a church or Christian individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein.
Hoping to hearing from you. Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs [deleted]
[End scam email]
Let one thing be crystal clear: there is no money in an Ivory Coast bank that is waiting to do Christian work. If the sender is contacted, there will be endless demands for advance payments, while no money will ever be received by the victim.
Of note, the Bible does not prohibit widows from re-marrying. Consider the following passages:
For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.
(Romans 7:2-3)
But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
(1 Corinthians 7:8-9)
Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
(1 Timothy 5:14)
The bottom line is to remember Jesus’ teaching. God gave you a brain for a reason, use it:
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
(Matthew 10:16)
There is no further sanctification required after justification. Everyone who is justified through Jesus Christ is fully and completely sanctified.
I developed this notion while researching what is wrong with the idea of “Christian accountability”, the teaching that Christians need to have “accountability partners”. Noticing that Bible teachings against “Christian accountability” are the same as that against the Judaizers from the days of the apostles Peter and Paul, I realized that legalism in any form can be identified by the teaching of “after accepting the grace of Jesus Christ, you must now start to do this”. To wit:
Judaizers circa 1st century AD: “Christians, now that you have accepted the grace of Jesus Christ, you must now be circumcised and obey the Laws of Moses”.
Catholic legalism: “Christians, now that you have accepted the grace of Jesus Christ, you must now go to church every Sunday, confess your sins to a priest every week, pray the rosary every morning, and receive the sacraments.”
Charismatic legalism: “Christians, now that you have accepted the grace of Jesus Christ, you must now also be baptized in the Holy Spirit and start speaking in tongues.”
Latter-day Saints: “Christians, now that you have accepted the grace of Jesus Christ, you must now also become a missionary, be sealed with your spouse(s) in celestial marriage, and never again consume alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco.”*
Christian accountability proponents: “Christians, now that you have accepted the grace of Jesus Christ, you must now also be held accountable by accountability partners in Christian accountability.”
In other words, “Grace is not enough. After grace, this:”
I noticed that the “this” is always presented as a form of sanctification, some means to make a believer “more holy”. Christians who practise the “works of sanctification” are held to be better than those who do not. Legalists may admit that the grace of Jesus Christ is enough, but they will say that it is only enough for you to be a “minimal Christian”. In order to be a “good Christian”, you need to practise the works of sanctification, as per the legalist’s prescription.
In contrast, the Bible describes all Christians this way:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27)
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24)
For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
Notice the absence of any distinction between “minimal” versus “good” Christians in these passages. All followers of Jesus Christ are the same in nature.
This is not to suggest that Christians cannot grow closer to Christ through time and willingness to cultivate intimacy with God. Being a relationship, however, we grow close to God by a desire in the heart, and not by following rules. To take marriage as an example, no matter how close the spouses are as newlyweds, they would want to be even closer to each other on their 50th wedding anniversary. And if that’s the desire in their hearts, they will! But can anyone say, because of that, they are now only a “minimal husband” or “minimal wife”, and will not become a “good husband” or “good wife” until their 50th wedding anniversary? Or can anyone say that, in order to be a “good husband” or “good wife”, they need to follow a bunch of rules such as obligatory kissing routines, mandatory greetings, and prescribed activities? I don’t think that anyone would enjoy getting “obligatory kisses” from their spouse anyway, since those are false, and feel that way. If one desires to become closer to one’s spouse and to express one’s love, one will automatically and authentically do those things that would accomplish that goal, and the proficiency in which one does those things will be better and better. Likewise, if we desire to become closer to God and to express our love for Him, we will automatically (through the guidance of the Holy Spirit in us) and authentically do those things that would make us more like Christ and would achieve God’s will of us. And we will do those things better over time as well.
So, just as someone becomes a husband or wife fully and completely on the wedding day, anyone who is justified through faith in Christ was also fully and completely sanctified at that same time. To say that there is some mandatory process of sanctification that needs to happen after justification, is just legalism.
This video message is also worth pondering:
*Note: That being said, the Book of Mormon declares in Moroni 10:33, “And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.” It seems that, had the LDS stopped there, many Mormons today just might be fans of Starbucks lattés.
Luke 14:26 – “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.”
In all widely accepted versions of the Chinese Bible, “hate” is always replaced with something similar to “love Me more than”. Being a strongly family-oriented culture, where respect of (and often deference to) one’s parents is paramount, any suggestion of hating one’s parents would be highly offensive.
Of course, actual hatred of one’s parents would be considered inappropriate in any culture, ancient or modern; any culture that adopts such a concept in general would quickly collapse. I have also pointed out earlier that this Bible verse is not appropriate for use in one-on-one settings, due to the high risk of misinterpretation.
Was Jesus advocating hatred of one’s parents? It is important to realize, along with the Chinese Bible translators, that Jesus was presenting a comparison, that to be a disciple of Him, one must consider the relationship with Christ as superior to all others, thus rendering all other interpersonal relationships as “hate” by contrast.
An excellent presentation of this was made by Pastor Steve Irvin at Bayview Glen Church:
Pastor Steve did not mention this, but the reason the word “hate” is used in this Bible verse is due to a limitation in the Aramaic language used in Jesus’ time, namely the lack of words to express preference. Suppose I want to have lunch, and am at a place with a McDonald’s and a Burger King beside each other. If I were to choose McDonald’s instead of Burger King, I would express this in Aramaic by saying “I hate Burger King”. Does this mean I am filled with hatred against Burger King? Of course not; in fact, if Burger King were the only option, I would have gladly went in and ordered a Whopper meal (without pickles). The language limitation is that I have no choice but to use the Aramaic word for “hate” to express my preference, when in fact the English “I’m lovin’ McDonald’s more” is a closer and more specific expression of my thoughts.
This brings up an important observation. All Bible versions, including the ones written in the original languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), are constrained by the limitations of human language in their expression of God’s truth. Simply put, no human language can fully and completely express the will of God, so no Bible version can ever represent God with 100% accuracy. In other words, for Bible versions that are reasonably accurate, disputes over which version is superior in nature are meaningless. Choice of Bible version is to be guided by audience and personal preference.
While no Bible version can fully and completely express God’s will, God did provide the Bible to us “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) One of the most important functions of the Bible is “truth-checking”: upon encountering some particular teaching, one can check its content against the entire Bible, to determine whether that teaching is indeed Christian.
Despite the inherent limitations of the Bible in fully and completely describing the infinite God, Christians do know God intimately, fully, and completely, because God came into the world in the person of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-11). We do not worship a book, we worship a living God.
Is your God revealed and represented by a book, golden plates, or other human objects? If so, consider getting to know a God who actually walked on earth and died so that you can be liberated from your sins and obtain eternal life (John 3:16)!
