There are basically two groups of Christians. Group “A” believes the Bible is necessary in order to understand Christianity. Group “B” never mentions the Bible when discussing Christianity. The thing common to both groups is: neither one reads the Bible.

Group B mentions things in the Bible like “God”, “fellowship”, “the Cross”, “forgiveness”, and “blessings” so you won’t suspect they’re just making stuff up. Vague references to “Jesus” justify homosexuality, adultery, fornication, abuse, and theft. Any behavior or belief is rationalized when you live by, “What would Jesus do?” and then you make-up a Jesus that matches your lifestyle.

Group B is easily the most popular which leads them to conclude their beliefs are correct. Approval of the masses is evidence of sound doctrine. If people like what you’re teaching, then God likes it too. “Praise the Lord, every seat is filled!” That’s what happens when you don’t read the Bible:

“For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold…”

2 Timothy 4:3

Group A faithfully references the Bible and sometimes even quotes it in cool fonts.

Bible verses decorate the walls, desks, tabletops and key-chains of Group A. They carry Bible verses around in their wallets. They wear Bible verses on their clothing. There are Bible verses on their cars. Fragments of scripture litter every inch of their world. Detached from all context, these Bible snippets are assembled to form doctrines indistinguishable from Group B except for the chapter and verse citation.

When you say, “The Lord is my fortress,” I’m gonna ask a few questions. First, who is this “Lord” you’re talking about? Is it the same “Lord” that Group B “worships”? That “Lord” is nothing like a fortress or a rock. That “Lord” is a paper-mache puppet who parrots the faith of its followers. That “Lord” isn’t referenced in Psalm 18:7 –

And who are you? When you claim the Lord is your rock, fortress, and savior, I want to know some details. Because if you’re a gangster planning to assassinate a rival gang leader, I don’t think it’s wise to assume the Lord is on your side. If you’re a disgruntled wife cheating on her husband, don’t assume God will shelter your unfaithfulness.

Reading the Bible is a bit more involved than skimming Facebook memes. Reading other people’s Bible commentary isn’t reading the Bible either. Listening to a sermon isn’t the same as letting the Bible speak to you. You’re listening in on what the Bible said to the preacher. That’s not a problem until other people’s sermons become your only source of Bible knowledge. The details of the Christian faith are in the Bible so you’re eventually going to need to read it in order to verify your religious views are “biblical”.