As a Christian, we always base our faith and doctrine from the Bible. If it’s in the Bible, we do it. If it’s not, we don’t. It’s always been a Christian way. Having different understanding is another story. But sometime when I was in highschool, my teacher said, we (as “Christians”) don’t need to follow every word that was written in the Bible. We don’t need to be Biblical in every way. At that time, I thought it makes sense. But now, knowing more deeply on Christianity, I think it is ignorance. And dangerous. Teaching young students wrong informations especially spiritual is dangerous. Why is it wrong? Why do we have to be always Biblical especially in spiritual matters?

The Bible is our ultimate guide. Not just in our spiritual, but also in our everyday lives. Without the Bible, we would be lost. We cannot count on verbal passing of the teaching. Because words can easily be corrupted. Words are weak. That is why we write down especially those are important. For instance, there are contracts. We cannot just agree or make commitments just by words. We need to sign on written contracts. If there are misunderstanding regarding commitments, we can go back and review the contract. Commitment is strong in a signed contract. Marriage contract is under this. You cannot just declare you’re spouse. It is weak. We always need papers especially in legal matters. Marriage contract is signed by both partners. You will not be just simply asked if you’re married or not. Or will be asked for your wedding ring. You will be asked for marriage contract. Birth certificate is another. You prove your citizenship and being the offspring of the spouses. You cannot go around and make some transactions without your birth certificate. Another best example is the Constitution. Every Constitution or Law is written. You cannot just announce what is wrong and what is right. You have to write that down. So that when there is confusion or misunderstanding, we can always go back and review the Constitution. Lawyers still review the Law. Laws are strong when written. Doctors still review their medicine books.

Although there are some important things that doesn’t need to be written. Like cookbooks and parenting, etc. Because recipes can be altered or experimented. Parenting is depended on cultural and individual point of views. Like Constitution, the Bible is our guide. A country without a constitution is lawless and will be lost. You cannot trust a commitment or an agreement without a written contract.

My last example (for now) is the Ten Commandments. Why does God needs to write it down on clay tablets? Why doesn’t He just tell it to Moses to tell it to Israelites? It’s just ten. And when Moses went down from Mt. Sinai, he saw the people worshipping a golden idol. And he throw the tablets down to the people because of anger. The tablets were broken into pieces. So, does God let it that way? He wrote the Ten Commandment again in another tablet. Why is it so? Why does God think it is important the Ten Commandments to be written? It is so that the people will have their guide and not be lost.

So why do we need the Bible to tell us everything? Why don’t we just pass down the teachings and doctrines into our children like legends, urban legends, traditions, etc, by word of mouth? For one thing, Christianity is far more important than the rest of these. Even more important than constitutions, laws, and earthly contracts. And traditions, legends, etc, are not that strong to believe in. Do we want the same to the teachings and words of our God?