Definition

Noun: 1. The worship of the Bible: The act or practice of revering, venerating, or treating the Bible with extreme or idolatrous devotion, as if it were a sacred object in itself rather than the text it contains.

Usage

• Bible-worship is a term used in theological and critical discussions to describe an attitude or practice where the physical book or its text is accorded a degree of reverence that some consider excessive or misplaced.
• It is often used to critique a perceived over-emphasis on the literal text at the expense of its spirit or context.

Examples

• The scholar warned against bible-worship, arguing that focusing solely on the letter of the text can obscure its deeper meaning.
• Some religious reformers have historically criticized practices they viewed as bible-worship within their own traditions.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used in a metaphorical or secular sense to criticize an uncritical, dogmatic adherence to any authoritative text or doctrine.
  • Example: He accused the political movement of engaging in a form of bible-worship around the writings of its founder.

Variants and Related Words

• Bibliolatry (noun): A direct synonym, more formal and less common, with the same meaning: the worship of the Bible or of books.
• Idolatry (noun): The worship of idols. Bible-worship is considered a specific form of idolatry by its critics.
• Literalist (noun/adjective): A person who interprets words in their most basic, literal sense. A literalist approach to scripture is often associated with accusations of bible-worship.

Synonyms

• Bibliolatry
• Scripture idolatry
• Text worship

Antonyms

• Biblical criticism
• Contextual interpretation
• Spiritual understanding (in this specific theological sense)

Noun

1. the worship of the Bible