Beth-El Baptist Church

09/12/2010

Greg Tomlinson


Why don't Christians protest and make violent threats when the Bible is burned or otherwise desecrated?


During the past several years, there have been multiple reports of people taking the Muslim Koran and flushing it down the toilet or threatening to publicly burn it. In each of these cases, there were riots in the streets or threats of riots or even death. In the same time period, there have also been multiple reports of people, even U.S. Government officials, burning the Bible. After the burning of the Bible, there were no riots or violent protests or other threats of violence or death.


  1. How does the Christian view the Bible?

Galatians 3:21-26 Romans 7:7-12; 8:3-4

1 John 3:4 Mark 14:49

Luke 24:25-27 John 5:39

Acts 17:10-12; 18:24-28 Romans 1:1-6; 15:4

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Galatians 3:8-11

2 Timothy 3:15-14 2 Peter 1:19-21


The Bible is the collection of God “breathed” (inspired) writings from God through men called prophets. The scriptures are the very word of God and are to be used for their intended purpose. The scriptures were written in order to expose the perfect holiness and righteousness of God and the great defilement and sin of every human being. By understanding the nature of God as Holy and the nature of man as sinner, the Bible was given so that men might see their great need of Jesus Christ and thus repent of their sins, turn to the mercy of the everlasting judge (Jesus), who through grace might extend His hand toward salvation.


  1. What happens if someone tries to destroy the Bible?

Matthew 5:18-20; 24:35 Mark 13:31

Luke 16:16-17; 21:33 Jeremiah 36:23-32


No action by man can ever eliminate the Bible. Just as Jeremiah rewrote the scriptures he was given by God when the king threw them into the fire, God is able to raise up yet more people who will rewrite the scriptures as God sees fit. Jesus exposed the longevity of the Bible by stating that it, God's Word, would endure throughout time and beyond. Although the heaven and the earth might cease to exist, yet Christ's word would endure throughout all of time.


  1. Why don't Christians retaliate for such an offense?

Deuteronomy 32:39-42 Isaiah 63:1-4

Romans 12:14-15; 12:19-21 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

Luke 6:27-29 Matthew 5:43-46

Hebrews 1:1-3; 10:30-31; 12:1-3 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

John 16:13 James 1:20


There is no need for the Christian to retaliate against those seeking to destroy the scriptures. First, they know and understand that the enemy will never be successful. Second the Christian has no right to retaliate since any retaliation belongs to God and God alone. Third, the Christian looks to Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, as our guide and example of righteous living.


  1. How should Christians view those to burn or desecrate the Bible?

Psalm 73:12-19 Jonah 4:10-11

Luke 23:34 Matthew 9:36-38

Ephesians 4:1-2


The Christian should look upon these people with compassion understanding that they have no clue what they are doing or saying. As followers of Jesus Christ we must respond the same way that Jesus did respond which was with love and compassion. The goal or purpose is to reach out to such people with the love and forgiveness of God through Christ. Understand that no burning or destruction of a copy of the Bible can destroy either the Word of God nor God Himself.