What is The Significance of Burning The Bible?
Burning the Bible is an evil act that goes against religious authority as well as an expression of religion and devotion.
Historical Perspective: The Incidents of The Bible Burning
In King Jehoiakin Region
There is an incident of Bible burning in the Book of Jeremiah which happened during the reign of King Jehoiakim. Hazrat Jeremiah wrote a letter to King Jehoiakim and he burned this letter. He did it because he was a pagan king and was very cruel. He did this because he hated God’s word. This action was done to dishonor God’s word. The act of burning the Bible shows an open rebellion and hatred of God’s Word.
Verse
“Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes. Even though Elnathan, Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them.” (Jeremiah 36:23-25)
In Oregon, Portugal in 2020
A mob desecrates the Bible in 2020. He burned the Bible and American national flag. This event took place in Oregon, Portugal in 2020. He had a specific purpose that led him to this move. But his action was against the beliefs of America. In this protest, it could be seen how much hatred and arrogance are in the hearts of these people, who did this act. But America did not understand the basic purpose of their action, why this was done.
Significance of Bible Burning From a Religious Point of View
Burning the Bible is considered bad-mannered and highly disrespectful in terms of religion. This act shows how much hatred has developed in man’s heart for God’s word which has brought him to the extent of burning God’s word. But this action will only harm that person; it will destroy him spiritually because by burning the word of God he has declared spiritual war.
Eschatological Perspective Regarding Bible Burning
The Bible contains prophecies about end-time conditions. That in the last days people will become such that they will desecrate, curse and disbelief the word of God. So this thing can be compared to the burning of the Bible in such a way that the burning of the Bible is also a sign that the spiritual condition of humanity will be very bad in the last days and they will desecrate the word of God. In the coming times, there will be events that will destroy the spiritual condition of man because they will turn away from God’s word and desecrate it.
Verse
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self- control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Sacrifice And Bible’s Burning
If we talk about sacrifice, Genesis 22:2 mentions the sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim, by which he set an example that a person should make all kinds of sacrifices for God and His commandments. He decided to sacrifice his son Hazrat Ismail because he was commanded by God in a dream to sacrifice his son in his way. He decided to make a sacrifice for God. In this way, God tested Hazrat Ibrahim and He fulfilled God’s test.
By giving this sacrifice, Hazrat Ibrahim proved that a person should end his life before the will of God. If God says to do it then he should do it and if he says not to do it then he should stop doing it. Submission to God’s orders is the real worship. And if the word of God is burned, it is disobedience to God, which destroys the spiritual life of a person and he becomes a rebellious servant of God. Then God said,
Verse
“Take your son, your only son, whom you love-Isaac-and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (Genesis 22:2)
Spiritual Hatred and Bible Burning
Anything has a way of expressing feelings. Similarly, spiritual hatred for God is expressed by burning holy books. This action of these people shows how far they are from God and they have a lot of hatred towards God. This is the destruction of spiritual life for those who turn away from God and express it by burning His books.
Reactions of Church During Bible Burning Incidents
The Church has always been responsible for the safety of the Bible and it has always been protecting it. Whenever the Bible is burned, it is a great test for the Church because at that time they have to prove their faith and devotion. To express this, the church comes forward and stands against it. The purpose of burning the Bible seems that they are attacking the Word of God, which leads the spiritual life in danger. And the Church is ready to maintain the spiritual life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusions
Burning the Bible is strictly prohibited because if you burn the Bible, you will have hatred for God in your heart and it also shows that the hate for God’s word is forcing you to burn God’s word. Therefore, never does this act because if you do it, your spiritual life will be in trouble and spiritual destruction will happen. By this you will also be away from God and you will only suffer loss. So it should be avoided that the Bible should never be burnt otherwise humanity will become hollow and the element of spirituality will not remain.
