bible-worship
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- the worship of the Bible