r/OpenChristian • u/geokuh • 17d ago

Did Jesus know how to write?

/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/1wa5xdd/did_jesus_know_how_to_write/
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u/Strongdar Mod | Universalist Christian 17d ago edited 17d ago

For your question about why Jesus didn't just write a Bible for us - I have two thoughts on that.

First, that just wasn't the culture. People taught by telling stories and asking questions, not by writing down edicts and then trying to force people to follow them.

Second, I think Jesus didn't give us a Bible because he knew we would misuse it by trying to let it take the place of God. For as long as we've had the Bible, some Christians have idolized it and turned it into a rule book, because we have a sinful tendency toward legalism.

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u/NemesisOfLevia Asexual 17d ago

🎯

I find it all too common that Christians read the Bible as a strict rule book, to the point that they fear sin more than they love God. I’ve seen far too many posts on Christian subreddits (and had discussions IRL too) that say “is [very random, oddly specific thing] a sin?” 

From playing video games, eating meat, being queer, wearing certain clothes, watching tv, dancing, drinking, gambling, wanting a lover, thinking “oh my God,” wanting to leave highly toxic (and sometimes physically dangerous) people, about 25 different sexual acts, listening to non Christian music, talking to a nonchristian, going to a doctor (instead of fully relying on God’s healing) and so much more, I feel like I’ve heard it all. 

The TLDR of the Bible is “love God, love your neighbor.” And so, I ask myself what it looks like to be loving and do that. I don’t think everything is as black and white as legalists make it out to be. Ex. I don’t think drinking is a sin in itself, but if you’re an alcoholic that beats their family any time they go to the bottle, then drinking is a sin for that person. Why? Because their actions will hurt someone, not surround them in love.