This question conjures up different feelings in
different people. I came out of a background that included people who made
notes in their Bibles, so I have never considered that it might not be okay.
However, a few people think you should not, and others who do not consider it
inherently wrong do not feel comfortable marking in their own Bibles.
A small minority cite verses such as Deuteronomy
4:2, Proverbs
30:6, and Revelation
22:18. These verses warn against adding to the word of God. Those who
cite these kind of verses would charge those who make notes with adding to the
word of God. Contextually, these warn against making men’s words equal to God’s
words, with an authority that is unwarranted. Jesus makes the case against this
in Mark
7:7-13, as well as other places. This has nothing to do with writing
in or on a physical or material element such as a scroll or book.
I mark up my Bible (singular). That is, I mark the
one I am continually reading and studying. I do not mark other Bibles that I
just use for reference. I use a wide-margin Bible, making notes with pen &
highlighting. I do not feel uncomfortable doing so. Some may feel disrespectful
or “weird” writing in their Bibles. Others like to keep all their books as
clean and pristine as possible, and include their Bibles in this preference.
God’s word should be in our mouths (Joshua
1:8), our minds (Hebrews
8:10), and our hearts (Psalm
119:11). The word should be consistently and constantly before us (Deuteronomy
6:6-9; Proverbs 7:2-3). To the extent that writing in a material Bible helps with that, it is
a good thing. Making notes in a Bible usually helps you remember what you have
read, see what is there, and find it more easily when looking for it again.[i]
The Bible is the inspired and inerrant word of God. Never challenge or change
it. The book itself is paper and ink. Certainly, treat it with reverence and respect for what it contains.
Nevertheless, adding more ink or some highlighting will not destroy God’s word –
and just might help you “search the scriptures” and to “study to shew thyself
approved.” For those who prefer not to write in their Bibles, they might
receive the same benefit of help and memorization by using a notebook. A
journal on paper or on the computer should serve the purpose.[ii]
I am not aware of any scriptural teaching or
principle that requires that a paper and ink printing of the word of God must be kept pristine. It seems
that it is okay to write in the Bible if you are not trying to write a Bible!
[i] One negative is that the
notes (the second time around) might keep a person focusing on the same
scriptures to the exclusion of other scriptures that aren’t “noted.” Another
positive of marking in a Bible is that it becomes a meaningful treasure when
passing down to children or grandchildren.
[ii] There are Bibles with
blank pages for writing, which might serve as a compromise between writing in
or not writing in the Bible.
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