Bibliolatry

i have been noticing this trend of how seminaries and some younger pastors are being overly academic with a heavy emphasis on the "newest" research on the text of the Bible to a point that neglect the message of the Word. Some people seems to pride themselves on knowing the newest Biblical research trend, knowing theories that others don't know. I find some seminaries are just too emphasized on academic and not enough on their students' spiritual well-being, character and relationship with God.

Seminaries become just another research university or college instead of place of training for servants of God. The world is changing but seminaries shouldn't be worldly despite of all the forces but i guess they are under pressure.

I finally know what the official term is, it's "bibliolatry" but the problem is more than that.


"Some people make the mistake of missing the One to whom the Bible is directing them. They become enamored of learning the depths and complexities of the Bible, and they forget that it points us toward God. This problem is technically called "bibliolatry," which means making an idol out of the Bible. This occurs in some circles that emphasize doctrine or Bible study to the point of neglecting a personal relationship with Jesus, who said that the Scriptures actually bear witness to him (John 5:30)

A preacher once said that this is like the man who goes into a restaurant and reads the menu. Then, exclaiming how great the menu is, he puts salt and pepper on it and proceeds to eat it.

Bibliolatry also points up certain character issues in people, such as valuing intellectual pursuits over relationship, or needing closure and black-and-white answers to theological puzles rather than relating to the God of mystery.

The point here is that while we need to diligently study the Bible, it was not written to satisfy our intellectual curiosity. It was written to give us the path to God, life, and growth. "

Cloud and Townsend
pp.199-200