Megachurch punts bible off stage into crowd during an over the top Superbowl themed church service

[Ghoti Ichthus]

How can any Christian kick a Bible when there are people in North Korea who literally risk death to have one? We have entire churches in persecuted countries that share just one Bible among them…meanwhile these doofuses are treating the Bible like a prop.

Imagine if someone did this publicly with a q'ran (satanic verses)
Oh, the outrage and maybe prosecution, etc. for a hate crime(s)

Meanwhile, the church looks just like the anti-Bible, anti-Christian culture, and there's no obvious difference to set it apart as part of its witness. The reputation and witness of the Church, as a whole, are besmirched, weakened, and harmed by just one church (or clergy or Christian) acting disrespectfully

The Church is supposed to be salt and light and influence culture and society, not abrogate its responsibility and follow and be influenced by/dictated to by culture and society

There's a reason why Pastors and Teachers will be judged more harshly, for they have far more responsibility and authority, and can influence far more people (for both good and bad).

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
James 3:1, KJV

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
James 3:1, ESV

 

[Baby Yoda]

You mean there weren't pew Bibles alongside all the pew hymnals?

Never.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Never.

My former MIL RCC had pew Bibles in all the pews. They had Adult Bible Study and children's Sunday School, too
The RCC my Dad played at for years on Christmas Eve (Midnight Mass) had Bibles in the pews. The (very old) Priest there was really no-nonsense and insisted the kids read and memorize Scripture, and ensured every kid got his or her own Bible.

 

[Work4Peanuts]

It's a female "pastor" punting a Bible. For all we know, she was punting the queen james version. I'd punt that one, too.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

It's female "pastor" punting a Bible. For all we know, she was punting the queen james version. I'd punt that one, too.

Corrupt Bibles like "gender neutral" ones are yet another way satan is trying to deceive God's children

 

[Andy C]

I even feel bad if (when) my Bible falls off my bed onto the floor [sigh]

My bible is full of notes I wrote, some in red, some I wish I never wrote as I matured as a Christian and realized a few of my older views/notes were incorrect.

At my last job, a strong Christian coworker of mine read his bible daily at his desk on his breaks. One time, I watched in him walk in the mens room, and go sit inside a stall, while reading his bible. I asked him when he came out how he could take a bible in there, while doing his business. His response was he was sure God would be happy he is reading His Word, no matter where….

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

My bible is full of notes I wrote, some in red, some I wish I never wrote as I matured as a Christian and realized a few of my older views/notes were incorrect.

At my last job, a strong Christian coworker of mine read his bible daily at his desk on his breaks. One time, I watched in him walk in the mens room, and go sit inside a stall, while reading his bible. I asked him when he came out how he could take a bible in there, while doing his business. His response was he was sure God would be happy he is reading His Word, no matter where….

My bathroom is my prayer closet when there's no privacy elsewhere, or simply a better use of available quiet time while sitting there . . .
I haven't taken a Bible in there because afraid of dropping it, getting it wet, etc. However, the Bible app on the cell
I've gotten lost in the hot shower talking to God . . .

 

[lismore]

OH Megachurch Pastor Punts Bible Across Stage For Superbowl-Themed Church Service

Crossroads Church is a multisite megachurch in Cincinnati, Ohio. Led by Senior Pastor Brian Tome,...

protestia.com

Seeker-sensitive to the extreme, their mantra is “anything short of sin is up for grabs,” resulting in the frequent abomination that is their Superbowl Sunday sermon series.

Churches in the USA have really done downhill…I’m glad I didn’t grow up learning the word of God in this type of environment. Also, I can’t believe how much money they must have wasted on all this.

Hello Lydia. For me the most scary thing is the number of professing Christians who are attracted to this type of piffle. We're living in the Last Days, you would expect believers to be aware of this and be focusing on those things of greatest importance. Apparently not! It reminds me of this scripture:

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).

God Bless

 

[Andiamo]

Standing to hear The Gospel read is traditional.
Some places, people also stand for the Old Testament and Epistle readings.

Standing, especially for The Gospel reading/chanting, demonstrates respect and reverence for God and The Word and calls special attention to it because it's special

I feel more blessed than ever to be in a church where we stand for the reading for the Word of God out loud. Pastor reads the white text, and we read colored text. Before that, we hold up our Bibles and recite a “This is my Bible…” declaration/prayer similar to what they do at Jack Hibbs church. We also have a song in our worship line up, “Ancient Words” by Michael W Smith. Sometimes I will pick up and hold my Bible as we sing that song.
THANK YOU GOD.

 

[Matthew6:33]

Standing to hear The Gospel read is traditional.
Some places, people also stand for the Old Testament and Epistle readings.

Standing, especially for The Gospel reading/chanting, demonstrates respect and reverence for God and The Word and calls special attention to it because it's special

We stand in our baptist church when we read the scripture. "Please stand in reverence for the reading of the Word of God."

 

[Andiamo]

My bible is full of notes I wrote, some in red, some I wish I never wrote as I matured as a Christian and realized a few of my older views/notes were incorrect.

I know what you mean. Especially annoying are notes that a pastor tells you to write, “mark in your Bible…” then you come back years later and forget what they meant, or worse. That’s why when I bought my Bible about 5 years ago, that I intended to be my final, lifetime Bible…any notes I write are in regular old pencil. That way if I write something stupid I can always erase it. And it’s much less distracting from the text for me. I wish now that I had bought a Bible with much bigger margins.

 

[Margery]

I heard about this "church" doing that to a Bible. How dare they!!! That is blasphemy. That is the Word of GOD there! It is SACRED! It's God speaking to us for all time. It's not to be tampered with or treated with disrespect.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

I don't write in my Bible. I was taught not to write in any book, to include textbooks. Since the Bible is special because it's God's Word and not an ordinary book, to me it would be especially important to not write in a Bible, as it would be disrespectful. From a very literalist standpoint, writing in a Bible could be construed as adding to God's Word, although I'm "sure" that's not what the vast majority of people that write in their Bibles intend.

 

[Andiamo]

I don't write in my Bible. I was taught not to write in any book, to include textbooks. Since the Bible is special because it's God's Word and not an ordinary book, to me it would be especially important to not write in a Bible, as it would be disrespectful. From a very literalist standpoint, writing in a Bible could be construed as adding to God's Word, although I'm "sure" that's not what the vast majority of people that write in their Bibles intend.

That’s interesting….& that’s never occurred to me. I like to circle key words, and underline key phrases. I also write down any cross references that come into my mind, any questions I have, and any thoughts regarding the scripture that I could apply to myself. Sometimes I draw a small heart if I’m particularly touched by a verse or passage. Sometimes I put an exclamation point or write “wow!” If something really “hits” me. Sometimes I take a favorite verse from that page and write in big print in the top margin of the page.
I also did a project about 5 years ago when I found myself bored and frustrated with the Old Testament, and reading it was a big chore. I decided to go on a “Jesus Hunt.” Every day, I would read and hunt for Jesus. When I found Him, I would draw a little cross in the margin. It was the best thing for me, ever! It was so exciting finding Jesus…and I’m still nowhere near done. Now I love reading the Old Testament.
But above all, I mark in my Bible because it helps me focus and pay attention. Reading with my pencil in my hand helps me to remain disciplined, and also creates an attitude of expectancy for me. What will God bring to my attention today?
One more thing I do. Although I adore my Thompson Chain Reference Bible, I was saddened to discover that whomever wrote the chapter headings, leaned toward replacement theology. (I don’t think it was Thompson, but someone after him who worked on the copy.) In those cases, I actually line out “the church” and write ISRAEL or the word, NO.

 

[Andiamo]

I have seen people on YouTube who do art in their Bibles, to the point where they actually cover up the Words with their art, making it unreadable. It makes me uncomfortable to see that. I’m not against art in the margins if it helps a person focus and meditate on the Word. But covering up the words is, to me, destroying the Bible.

 

[Andy C]

I don't write in my Bible. I was taught not to write in any book, to include textbooks. Since the Bible is special because it's God's Word and not an ordinary book, to me it would be especially important to not write in a Bible, as it would be disrespectful. From a very literalist standpoint, writing in a Bible could be construed as adding to God's Word, although I'm "sure" that's not what the vast majority of people that write in their Bibles intend.

Thats a bold statement. I dont know anyone that has not made notes in their bible. I think your statement could be considered disrespectful, because others on this forum also make notes in their bible.

 

[Andiamo]

Thats a bold statement. I dont know anyone that has not made notes in their bible. I consider your staement disrespectful because you know others on this forum also make notes in their bible.

I took it to mean, that’s how she feels about it for her personally because that’s how she was brought up. But yes, I felt the need to defend (better word: explain) my reasons as to why I write in my Bible.
(I write in it a LOT! )

 

[Andy C]

I have often wondered if the bible can become an idol for some? Is that even possible for the bible to become an idol?

The Bible is not to be worshiped, but the God of the Bible is to be worshiped.

JMHO

 

[Andiamo]

I have often wondered if the bible can become an idol for some? Is that even possible?

The Bible is not to be worshiped, but the God of the Bible is to be worshiped.

JMHO

Well there is John 5:39-40 to consider.

 

[AnyMinute]

My bible is full of notes I wrote, some in red, some I wish I never wrote as I matured as a Christian and realized a few of my older views/notes were incorrect.

This is one of the reasons I don't write in mine, or years later I may not even remember why I made a notation. I do use my wife's bible from time time if it's the closest one to me and I do enjoy reading some of her thoughts and highlighted passages when I come across them, most from way before we were married.

The bible I use most is a nice study bible and I don't want to mark it up. There is very little room in the margin even if I wanted to. Now I do have notebooks and scrap paper everywhere full of scripture references and cross checking, and thoughts I write down. Not the most organized but it works for me.

I have no problem with it either way, their bible, their choice. I certainly don't idolize the the physical book, I worship the God it reveals (like we all do here).