How Do You See the Bible?

This is a friendly exercise to help you notice which tradition your answers lean toward. It’s not a test, and it doesn’t pin you in a box. Different questions may point in different directions, and that’s normal.

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1) How do you see the Bible's authority?

Think gut level, not a formal definition.

Every word is true and finally authoritative God's Word, read with the Church's guidance Sacred and trustworthy, read with reason and care A historic library that still shapes faith today A human witness that points us toward love and justice I don't see it as authoritative in a religious sense

2) Inspiration, in a sentence?

God guided the very words Inspired within the Church's living tradition God-breathed through people, genres, and story A developing testimony shaped by history Human writing that can still carry the Divine Not inspired by God, simply human literature

3) When parts of the Bible clash, I tend to…

Harmonise them, the problem is my understanding Read with the Church's settled teaching Hold them together, looking for the bigger message Check the history, sources, and context Let the compassionate thread lead the way They show it is a mixed, human set of texts

4) Who helps you read the Bible well?

Scripture itself, with faithful scholarship The Church's teaching office and tradition Community, reason, and prayer together Historians and careful research Voices from the margins and ethics I don't look for religious guidance to read it

5) How do you picture the Bible's formation?

God gave it, the Church recognised it The Church authoritatively discerned its books A wise discernment over time A historical process with editors and sources A human selection we can still revisit thoughtfully Entirely human choices based on power and politics

6) Miracle stories and history?

Reported events, God acts in real time Credible, affirmed within the Church's witness Signs that speak through worship and life Some historical, some theological storytelling Often metaphor or protest that tells truth Miracles do not happen, these are legends

7) Old Testament law today?

Fulfilled in Christ, moral core stands Read through tradition and teaching Read through Christ and love of neighbour Context-specific then, principles now Re-read toward justice for the vulnerable Ancient laws, not binding or relevant today

8) Historical methods (sources, editing, dating)?

Fine when they support the plain sense Useful, but within doctrinal boundaries Helpful, alongside prayer and tradition Very important for honest reading Essential, with an eye on power and justice Central. It is literature to analyse like any other

9) What sits at the centre for you?

The Gospel of Christ and God's glory Christ and the sacramental life of the Church Encounter with God that changes us The unfolding story of God and God's people The call to compassion, inclusion, and justice None of these. I don't approach it religiously

10) What kind of truth do you expect?

Theological and factual wherever it speaks Theological truth, guided by doctrine Transformative wisdom through varied genres Historically shaped claims, open to testing Moral and life-changing truth No theological truth claims, only human ideas

Compare the seven traditions

Short summaries to give the flavour of each view.

Evangelical Fundamentalist

"The Bible is not man's invention, but God's perfect and infallible Word. Though written by human hands, every word is inspired by the Holy Spirit, without error and fully trustworthy. From Genesis to Revelation, it tells one unified story, God's plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. Its origin is divine, its authority absolute, and its truth unchanging for all generations."

Catholic

"Sacred Scripture was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, entrusted to the Church and interpreted in light of sacred tradition. It is not merely a historical record but the living Word of God, faithfully preserved and proclaimed through the ages by the teaching authority given to the apostles and their successors."

Eastern Orthodox

"The Bible is the written witness to the Word of God, received within the life of the Church. It was formed not in isolation but through the prayer, worship, and holy tradition of the people of God. We read it not for information, but for transformation in Christ."

Mainline Protestant

"The Bible is a collection of sacred texts born out of Israel's and the early Church's encounters with God. Its authority is not in literal perfection, but in how it speaks truth through poetry, history, lament, and gospel, truth that still speaks when read with humility, reason, and community."

Jewish Perspective

"The Hebrew Scriptures were formed over centuries as Israel wrestled with God, covenant, and identity. These texts are sacred not because they are perfect, but because they preserve the voice of a people seeking to live faithfully in history with the Holy One of Israel."

Historical-Critical Approach

"The Bible did not drop from the sky, leather bound and neatly indexed. It is a library, not a single book, written, edited, and assembled over more than a thousand years by people responding to their circumstances, asking questions about God, suffering, justice, and identity. Its origins are messy, human, and rooted in history. That is not a flaw. It is part of what makes it so meaningful."

Progressive Christian

"The Bible is a human response to the mystery of the Divine, full of wisdom, struggle, and beauty. It bears the fingerprints of culture, politics, and power, yet through its stories, we glimpse a deeper current, the call to justice, compassion, and the unrelenting love of God."

Disclaimer

This quiz is for reflection and conversation only. It simplifies complex traditions and should not be taken too seriously. Your perspective may shift depending on context, experience, or the way a question is phrased. Content on this site, including quizzes and articles, is not professional advice, theological certification, or counselling. Views of different traditions are simplified for accessibility and should not be taken as definitive statements. No personal data is collected beyond basic server logs, and your answers remain in your browser. An original idea from calibratedideas.com.