Autographing Bibles

What do y'all think of having people sign your Bible? I know there are some folks who are strongly against it, and some who are strongly for it. What are your thoughts?

What do you mean? Signing the dedication page... to and from, date, and occassion? It is put in the front for that reason.

No, I mean having someone you met autograph a front page in your Bible (other than the person who gave it to you who signs the dedication page).

(Title edited)

I don't really know except this: does a persons signature make it more important than the One who wrote it?

@JB1968--Definitely not.

Autograph seeking is idolatry, first off. But then to have a man (or woman) autograph your Bible? Why?

Some folks say it isn't idolatry because they're doing it to have a sort of record of when they met people who were an inspiration to them (similar to the concept of a prayer card). [I'm not trying to defend it or disapprove of it, just looking at both sides here.]

Let me say tho that we also must look at how that effects the person who is doing the autographing. Does it cause them to be puffed up?

Yeah, good point. If that would be an issue, it would obviously become a detriment.

I completely agree Krispy.

This would cause most any man to become prideful. This practice should be avoided, so that we do not invite temptation into our brothers and sisters' life.

Hmmm, I learned something new today! Had no idea people did anything like this!

Weird...Oh, I forgot, I am old...sigh

Hi ginnyrose,

You're not alone. I had never heard of this practice before. I even wondered whose autograph someone was getting.

When I read the title of the thread, I pictured the little children coming to Jesus with scrolls of Isaiah asking for his autograph...or people running to Paul with a copy of I Corinthians doing the same.

Of course, I know that this isn't what people are doing. Still, I just don't see why on Earth anyone would want someone's signature written in their hard copy of the Bible. After all, it is GOD'S Word.

But, like you, I haven't heard of this practice before.

Actually, ginnyrose, it kinda goes back, so it's not becasue "you're old." :D It's just because that sort of thing doesn't run in your circles...I know, because I've been in them...and also in the IFB circles. :)

I just don't see why on Earth anyone would want someone's signature written in their hard copy of the Bible. After all, it is GOD'S Word.

There are two ways to look at it, barring the (obviously wrong) cases of idolization and etc... This is talking about IFB's but that's not the point...

“Preacher, please sign my bible.”

Autograph hounds show up just about everywhere, and fundamentalists events are no different. At any special services where a well-known...pastor, evangelist, or missionary is present there will inevitably be a line of folks who gather to get his signature on their Bible.

Why fundamentalists feel the need to collect these signatures remains somewhat of a mystery. Perhaps an annual contest would be in order with prize categories like
•most signatures ...
•most important signature ...
•strangest Bible reference given with signature ...

Get up to the front of the auditorium and get lined up for that autograph! The music for the second service is just about to start…

vs...

Ugh. Such mischaracterization. Where do I start. IFBs are the least man-worshippy group out there!! Having the preacher sign your Bible is just a way of remembering the occasion, and maybe the message. The man of God is a good person to respect... RESPECT...look it up on dictionary.com

You can easily make it into more than it is...

savedtoserve

I have only had a few people write in the front of my Bible (and yes, I read it first thing every morning for an hour or more for over 7 years) and they have only been brothers that have had a strong infuence on my life for Christ. The brothers that baptized me wrote a blessing and encouragement for me (with out me asking, and with humility). I have only asked one brother to write in my Bible, and it was a very humble man of God. There was no line of people waiting for him to autograph theirs either.
So I think it can be done with caution, and careful selection of who you ask to. What those brothers have written in mine are an encouragement to me every time I read it to keep pressing on the upward way - nothing else.

Great post, Handmaid4God. That is an instance where I'm sure it can be "done decently and in order", without pride or idolatry-- and be used of God. Done the other way, as Krispy said, it just becomes a proud, idolatrous mess.

Weird...Oh, I forgot, I am old...sigh

The girls at jail ask all the women that come in there to write something with a verse in their bibles. They never know if they are going to see us again, but I never thought of it as "autographing" their bibles though!!

Just my two cents!! God bless,
Lisa

Now you really have me confused!!

What on earth is IFB?

I googled it and I came up with: "Insurance Fraud Bureau", "Interrupted Feedback", "Internet For Business","Illinois Farm Bureau"....doesn't make sense...:-0

Oh! well...