The phrase “Ignorance of the Bible is Ignorance of God” reflects the belief that understanding the Scriptures is essential for knowing God’s character, will, and purposes. This concept is supported by passages such as Psalm 119:105, which emphasizes that God’s Word provides guidance and insight into His ways.
Scripture
1 Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel, for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land;
2 There is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
3 Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it languish, and also the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens, and even the fish of the sea are taken away.
4 Yet let no one contend, and let none accuse, for with you is my contention, O priest.
5 They shall eat, but not be satisfied;
they shall play the whore, but not multiply,
because they have forsaken the Lord
to cherish whoredom, wine, and new wine,
which take away the understanding.
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Ignorance of the Bible, Ignorance of God
The assertion that “Ignorance of the Bible is Ignorance of God” underscores the vital relationship between Scripture and our understanding of the divine. This idea finds support in passages like Deuteronomy 6:6-7, where the Israelites are instructed to keep God’s commandments close to their hearts, teaching them diligently to their children. Such guidance shows that familiarity with the Word is meant to cultivate a deep relationship with God and to foster an understanding of His desires and commandments. The Bible not only reveals God’s qualities—such as love, justice, mercy, and holiness—but also functions as a roadmap for believers in their daily walk with Him, aligning their lives with His purposes.
Furthermore, in John 1:1, we read that “the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” emphasizing that engaging with Scripture is engaging with Christ Himself. Ignorance of biblical teachings can lead to a distorted understanding of God’s character and intentions, potentially leading believers astray. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we are reminded that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” reinforcing the notion that enlightenment through the Bible is crucial for spiritual growth. Therefore, a neglect of biblical literacy not only limits our intimacy with God but also hinders our ability to navigate the complexities of faith with wisdom anchored in divine truth.
The phrase “Ignorance of the Bible is Ignorance of God” underscores the belief that a deep understanding of the Scriptures is essential for knowing God. In Greek, the word for “ignorance” is “ἀγνοία” (agnoia), which derives from the root “ἀγνοέω” (agnoeō), meaning “to be unaware” or “to not know.” This term is composed of the prefix “ἀ-” (a-), which denotes negation, and “γνῶσις” (gnosis), meaning “knowledge.” Thus, “ἀγνοία” literally translates to “lack of knowledge.”
Scholars such as William L. Lane have explored the implications of this term in the context of spiritual understanding. Lane notes that ignorance, particularly in a biblical sense, is not merely a lack of information but a failure to engage with the divine truths that the Scriptures convey. This aligns with the thoughts of theologians like John Stott, who emphasize that the Bible serves as a primary means through which believers can encounter and understand God’s character and will. Therefore, the phrase suggests that to be ignorant of the Bible is to miss out on the fullness of God’s revelation, as the Scriptures are seen as a vital source of divine knowledge and wisdom.
The Importance of Divine Revelation
Understanding the phrase “Ignorance of the Bible is Ignorance of God” highlights the significance of divine revelation in the life of a believer. The Bible serves as a primary means through which God communicates His nature, will, and purpose to humanity. Without engaging with Scripture, individuals may lack a comprehensive understanding of God’s character, His promises, and the redemptive narrative that unfolds throughout history. This ignorance can lead to misconceptions about God, resulting in a distorted view of His love, justice, and grace.
The Role of Scripture in Spiritual Growth
Another broader meaning of this phrase emphasizes the role of Scripture in spiritual growth and maturity. The Bible is not merely a historical document; it is a living text that provides guidance, wisdom, and encouragement for daily living. Ignorance of the Bible can hinder a believer’s ability to grow in faith, discern truth from falsehood, and navigate the complexities of life. Engaging with Scripture fosters a deeper relationship with God, enabling believers to understand His will and apply His teachings in their lives, ultimately leading to spiritual transformation.
The Call to Discipleship and Knowledge
Lastly, the phrase underscores the call to discipleship and the pursuit of knowledge about God. In the Christian faith, believers are encouraged to seek a deeper understanding of God through study, reflection, and community. Ignorance of the Bible can result in a superficial faith that lacks the depth necessary for enduring challenges and sharing the Gospel effectively. By prioritizing biblical literacy, believers can cultivate a robust faith that not only enriches their own lives but also equips them to share the truth of God with others, fulfilling the Great Commission.
How to Deepen Your Faith Through Scriptural Understanding
Deepening your faith through scriptural understanding is a journey that invites you to engage with the Bible not just as a text, but as a living conversation with God. Start by setting aside dedicated time each day to read and reflect on the Scriptures, allowing the words to resonate in your heart and mind. Consider using a study Bible or joining a small group where you can discuss passages and share insights with others, as community can illuminate perspectives you might not have considered. Pray before and after your reading, asking the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding and application of the teachings. Remember, it’s not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about letting the truths of Scripture transform your life, shaping your character, and deepening your relationship with Christ. As you immerse yourself in His Word, you’ll find that your faith grows stronger, more resilient, and more vibrant, equipping you to navigate life’s challenges with grace and purpose.
Bible References to Ignorance of God:
Proverbs 2:1-6: 1 My son, if you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you,
2 making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
3 yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
Psalm 119:9-16: 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Isaiah 5:13-14: 13 Therefore my people go into exile for lack of knowledge; their honored men go hungry, and their multitude is parched with thirst.
14 Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure, and the nobility of Jerusalem and her multitude will go down, her revelers and he who exults in her.
Matthew 22:29-33: 29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God:
32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.”
22 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
John 5:39-40: 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
Acts 17:10-12: 10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.
11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.
Romans 10:1-4: 1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16: 6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.
16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
2 Timothy 3:14-17: 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it,
15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 4:12-13: 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
James 1:21-25: 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
24 for he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.