Bibliolatry is the mistaken idea of worshiping the Bible itself instead of God. While the Bible is God’s inspired Word and vital for knowing God and the gospel, true worship is directed to God alone.
Bibliolatry is the mistaken idea that someone is worshiping the Bible itself rather than God. While the Bible is God’s inspired Word and essential for guidance, true worship is directed to God, not the text. The Bible warns against elevating any created object above God, including the Bible. However, the Bible reveals who God is and how we are to worship Him. We know God primarily through His Word. Salvation and life come through Christ, not merely through reading or following the Bible, although it is vital for people to know God and the gospel. Christians are called to study, apply, and share God’s Word faithfully, using it to grow in faith and lead others to Christ without turning the Bible into an object of worship.
The word "bibliolatry" is the combination of the words "Bible" and "idolatry." As such, it is defined as worship of the Bible instead of God. “Bibliolatry” is often used as an accusation that those who take the Bible literally are placing the Bible in the position of God, worshiping the Bible rather than the God of the Bible. However, in most cases this accusation is inaccurate. Those most often accused of bibliolatry are not actually worshiping the Bible, praying to it, or offering sacrifices to it. The Bible is not an idol or god to these individuals but rather the teachings of the one true God that have been given for study and application.
The Bible is not God, yet it is from God and has been revealed for people to come to faith in Christ and to live for Him. Without it, we wouldn’t have much of what we know about the Christian faith. First Peter 3:15-16 even teaches, "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."
Those who know Christ are taught to learn about God's Word to effectively live out its teachings and answer the questions of others. This was certainly the case in Acts 8:30-31 where Philip used Scripture to lead a person to Christ: "Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him." The study of God's Word allowed for conversation that led to salvation (Acts 8:35-39). But knowing God’s Word and basing our lives on God’s Word does not mean we are worshiping it. Instead, we are worshiping the One who is written about in it.
Accusations of bibliolatry are often personal attacks that deflect from the matter at hand. As the Bible is God's revelation to humanity, Christians are responsible for knowing what it says and faithfully and compassionately communicating it to others. As Romans 10:17 teaches, "faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."