By Clarence W. Fell
For many people the very idea that any book could be more loved and trusted than the Bible is nothing less than blasphemy. Yet, it’s true. What is even more surprising is that some people who love and trust these other books claim allegiance to the Bible!
Many people are surprised to learn that there are seven books more loved and trusted than the Bible. Let’s look at those seven books to see if they are worthy of your love and trust.
For many people the very idea that any book could be more loved and trusted than the Bible is nothing less than blasphemy. Yet, it’s true. What is even more surprising is that some people who love and trust these other books claim allegiance to the Bible! Other embrace these books and don’t even realize that they are doing so.
How could this be? Especially when Jesus warns, “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). How could people follow some other book than the Bible? As you will see, it is actually very simple. In fact, you could be a victim of one of these false books and not even know it.
The Book of Opinion
This book is probably the most popular of the seven. It is frequently used to replace the actual study of God’s word. You know that people are using this book when they say something like, “It just seems to me. . . “
When people build their hope on the Book of Opinion they are headed for trouble because the Book of Opinion is not inspired. It is not the gospel (Rom. 1:16).
Compare the ever popular “It just seems to me . . .” statement to the teaching of Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,” or Jeremiah 10:23, “It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”
The Book of Opinion does not lead to eternal life. Toss it out. Build squarely on the Bible. After all, it is the word of God, not the Book of Opinion, that will judge you in the last day (John 12:48).
The Book of Emotionalism
Quotes from this book often include the phrase, “I just feel in my heart . . .” It is amazing that anyone would use this book for spiritual guidance. Proverbs 28:26 warns, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool.” Yet, it is a popular book in many religious circles.
The danger of this book is further seen when we consider that everyone feels that he is right. No one becomes part of a religious group because he feels that the group is wrong.
If feeling right makes a person right then most people will be saved and Jesus was wrong. He said, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 7: 21; cf. Matt. 7:13- 14; Rom. 10:1-3).
Don’t trust the Book of Emotionalism. Toss it out. Build squarely on the Bible. It is the Bible that makes man wise unto salvation (Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:15; cf. John 8:32).
The Book of My Preacher Says
Many people substitute this book for study. The problem with this book is that everyone has his own version and the versions are as different as night and day. If this book was truly inspired by God then all the versions would be the same because God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33).
God anticipated this book and warned, “If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:9). It does not matter who your preacher is, or what he thinks; the Holy Spirit has told him, if he teaches anything different from the Bible he is wrong. You are to count him among the “ac- cursed” (2 John 9-11).
God is not inconsistent. After inspiring Galatians 1:9, God will not contradict himself by telling your preacher to preach a different message than the Bible message.
Preachers can make mistakes and be wrong. Don’t trust the Book of My Preacher Says. Toss it out. Build on the Bible.
If you feel a little guilty about double checking your preacher ’s teaching then read about the Bereans.
They were praised for double checking the teachings of the Apostle Paul (Acts 17:11). If Paul can stand double checking, then certainly preachers can today. The truth has nothing to lose and everything to gain when double checked.
The Book of Sincerity
This book is being used when you hear the phrase, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, just so you are sincere.” Most people are sincere, yet that does not make them right. Sincerity alone is not enough.
Paul said that Jesus will take vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess. 1:8). He also said that those who do not obey the truth will receive tribulation (Rom. 2:8-9).
While we must be sincere, we must also be right. Those who are sincerely mistaken are in for a rude wakening in the judgment day (Matt. 15:14). Toss out the Book of Sincerity. Build squarely on the Bible.
The Book of Tradition
Quotes from this book sound some- thing like, “It was good enough for Grandpa, so it’s good enough for me.”
Jesus scolded people for mixing tradition in with the word of God (Matt. 15:8-9).
There is no doubt that following the religion of our ancestors will bring us to be eternally with them. The question is: “Where will it be? Be careful! Just because grandpa did it does not make it right.
Toss the Book of Tradition out. Build squarely upon the Word of God.
The Book of Want-To Some people think that just because the majority want to, that makes it OK. Folks, it just isn’t so. If a mil- lion people believe in a stupid idea, it is still a stupid idea. The majority walk the broad way that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14).
To assume that the “want-to” of the majority is acceptable to God is the ultimate in pride and arrogance. We please God by following his word, not the “want-to” of man. (cf. 2 Tim. 4:2-5) Toss the Book of Want-To out. Build squarely on the Bible.
The Book of Up-Dating Quotes from this book sound something like, “We need to get with the times.”
To up-date the Bible is to doubt the sufficiency of the original (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3). Up- dating necessarily infers that the Bible is not good enough the way that God wrote it. Now tell us. Where is the man or woman qualified to judge God’s word in this manner?
It gets worse. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word will endure forever” (Matt. 24:35). Was Jesus right or wrong? If the Scriptures need up-dating, then Jesus’ word did not endure but grew old and in need of repair. Are you really willing to take such a stand against the Scriptures and call into question the power and Judgment of God?
Toss out the Book of Updating. Build squarely on the Bible.
There you have seven books that some people love and trust more than the Bible. Others have been deceived. Are you a victim? Take the test and see.
Take the Test!
Paul said, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Cor. 13:5).
Instructions: Answer the questions based on what your church teaches. Then list the verses that teach what your church teaches. (Ask your preacher for help if necessary.) Finally, compare your answers to the verses listed.
1. Is the name of your church in the Bible?
Give the verse. See 1 Cor. 1:10-13.
2. Does your church use titles such as Pastor, Reverend, or Father?
Give the verse. See Matt. 23:8-11.
3. Does your church teach that obedience is not necessary to be saved?
Give the verse. See Heb. 5:9; Matt. 7:21; 2 Thess. 1:8.
4. Does your church teach that baptism is optional?
Give the verse. See Luke 7:30; 2 Thess. 1:8; 1 Peter 3:21.
5. Does your church teach that denominational division is of God?
Give the verse. See John 17:20-23; 1 Cor. 1:10-13.
6. Does your church observe the Lord’s Supper once a year, twice a year, quarterly, or monthly?
Give the verse. See Acts 20:7.
7. Does your church teach that you just have to be sincere for God to save you?
Give the verse. See Matt.7:21-23; 1 Peter 1:22.
8. Does your church teach once saved, always saved?
Give the verse. See John 15:1-6; 1 Cor. 9:27
9. Does your church borrow practices from the Old Testament? (such as candles, incense, instrumental music, or priestly garments).
Give the verse. See Gal. 3:23-25; 5:1-4; Heb. 8:7.
10. Does your church baptize infants?
Give the verse. See Acts 8:12.
11. Does your church have women preachers?
Give the verse. See 1 Tim. 2:12.
12. Does your church practice sprinkling or pouring for baptism?
Give the verse. See Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12.
13. Does your church teach that if God did not specifically speak against any of the things listed above that it is all right to practice those things?
Give the verse. See Lev. 10:1-2; Gal. 3:15; Rev. 22:18-19.
14. Does your church refer to any of the other seven books to authorize their practice of any of things listed above?
Give the verse. See Gal. 1:6-9; 3:15; Rev. 22:18-19.