Definition

1. Noun:
   • The worship of the Bible: The term "bibliolatry" refers to the practice of treating the Bible with excessive reverence, to the point of idolizing it as an object of worship itself, rather than focusing on the divine message it conveys.
   • Excessive devotion to books: More broadly, it can denote an extreme or uncritical reverence for any books or texts, treating them as infallible authorities.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Some critics accused the fundamentalist sect of bibliolatry, claiming they revered the physical book more than its teachings.
  • His approach to literary criticism bordered on bibliolatry, as he refused to question any text's authority.

Advanced Usage

• "to be accused of bibliolatry": to be charged with worshipping a text.
  • The theologian was accused of bibliolatry for his literalist interpretation.
• "the sin of bibliolatry": used in theological discourse to criticize an improper focus.
  • The sermon warned against the sin of bibliolatry, urging the congregation to worship God, not the scripture.

Variants and Related Words

• Bibliolater (n): A person who practices or is characterized by bibliolatry.
  • He was labeled a bibliolater for his unwavering textual literalism.
• Bibliolatrous (adj): Pertaining to or characterized by bibliolatry.
  • His bibliolatrous attitude prevented a more nuanced understanding of the historical context.

Synonyms

• Idolatry of the Bible: The worship of the Bible as an idol.
• Text worship: Excessive veneration of a written text.
• Scriptural idolatry: Making an idol out of sacred scripture.

Related Phrases

• Worship of the letter: An idiom emphasizing a strict, literal adherence that misses the spirit or intent.
  • His interpretation was a mere worship of the letter, a form of bibliolatry.

Related Idioms

• To make a fetish of the book: To treat a book with irrational reverence.
  • In his bibliolatry, he seemed to make a fetish of the book, forgetting its human authors.

Noun

1. the worship of the Bible