What an absolutely fascinating idea for a story!

Good challenge, Scot! I commented at John’s blog that this is a reality for so many Christians who don’t have access to God’s written Word. And I agreed with him that there are many who worship the Bible–and that’s just way too ironic!

I honestly don’t think that the problem is that Christians worship the Bible. Not that this isn’t a potential failing, or even an occasional failing, but it isn’t a major one. I have to say that sometimes I think that the reason for saying this is to try to explain away difficult texts or to advocate theologically liberal stances. If we don’t have the Bible, what do we use to inform our belief? Experience? “My feelings?” Our fallen reason? Not that the scenario proposed above isn’t intriguing, but I have to wonder at the motivation behind its proposition.

Genesis and Esther? Intriguing!
I have several times in the past proposed the following: If some totalitarian regime were to tell Christians that on some recurring frequency, they had to remove some part of the Bible; “You choose which part.” Which part of the book would we keep till last?
It was always my feeling that I would go for Genesis 2 & 3.
JJB

John,
I’m looking forward to your book.

Scot,
Many thanks for bringing *Out of Print: A Novel* to the attention of the Jesus Creeders. A good friend recently read it and I posted his response over at *Jesus the Radical Pastor.* I was greatly enocuraged by my friend’s comments because they reflect an answer to prayer I have about the short novel.
Ben (#3), I invite you to read the story–your suspicions will be alleviated

These are great and excellent questions. I’ve read the book- almost finished. It’s a great read in making us think through these issues, I believe.
I tend to do both, I’m afraid. Sometimes I do read it as if it were a lifeless Book rather than the living Story of God and God’s word to us and for us in our lives.

I haven’t been much of a novel reader lately but this has piqued my interest. Good suggestion to read and discuss with a few others. I’ve really been challenged to examine my attitude towards God’s word as of late.

Sounds interesting. I cannot buy any more books this year (couldn’t buy too many to start with!) but I look forward to getting my hands on a copy in the near future. I read the excerpt on jesustheradicalpastor.com and was intrigued to read the story.

John,
Thanks for the reassurance, I’ll see if I can find it.

Great post Scot.
I can’t wait until the Bible is written in every language. When every tongue has had the chance to respond to gospel then Christ will return. I think we are closer than ever before. They are now making computures for 3rd world countries that you can hand cank for energy. Some say the world wide web are on those lap-tops. Imagine if those had the chance to read the Bible from their lap tops. Missionies are going to places never thought before. Translated into tongunes never thought before. Praise God for what is being done. We are closer than ever before. Closer than we have ever thought. The end times are near. We need to look at technology just to see how close we are and how wonderful God is and glorify Him. Glorify the works that radical Christians are doing non-stop. Praise God!!!!
Thanks Scot, for your blog.
Thanks Scot, for your books.
Thaks Scot, for this emerging movement that is taking place across america. Praise God! God be praise! You be blessed brother!

Scot,
Thanks for bring “Out of Print” to your readers’ attention. It sounds intriguing and it raises good questions. I would add some additional questions:
Which came first, the Church or the Bible? i.e. Did the Bible produce the Church or did the Church, inspired by the Holy Spirit, create the Bible and decide what is “Bible” and what is not…? Many of us Protestants seem to think and act as if the Bible was formed in a vacuum and just kind of dropped into history out of no-where.
What of illiterates who do not yet have a translation in their mother language? Can they still hear the story of Jesus from someone who has learned their language and become true followers of Jesus? Can a true community of believers be formed before they have the scriptures available?
Is it possible that individuals could actually find eternal life, die and go to heaven without ever having read or seen a bible? Had the thief on the cross read the Septuagent or the Hebrew scriptures? I don’t know that we can document that, but I sorta doubt it.
Not having read the book, I don’t know if these questions are raised, but I think they are worth adding to your discussion list.
John M.

John Meadows (#12),
Without having read the book, you certainly asked some questions that the book engages! Way to go!
This is a key question you raised: “Is it possible that individuals could actually find eternal life…without ever having read or seen a Bible?”

Wow that sounds very interesting! I’ll be sure to pick that up. I’ve been thinking about that alot recently. especially since I find myself in different christian circles. Methodists, emergent type, nondenominational, presbyterian etc. I realized that two different groups speak about the same thing in very different ways. For example Joel Olsteen’s new book. Some think its the best book ever, better than purpose driven life, the more conventional circles, think its a joke. I haven’t read the book myself but I was just suprised at how unanamiously similar peoples views are within the same circles and how different their views can be from other types of christians. I think that book would help me piece together why that is.

Don’t you know that all real Christians (read Evangelicals) believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Scriptures?