Before we address how Christians and Bible Thumpers are not the same, we have to define the term “Christian” and the term “Bible Thumper.” A true Christian is a person who has placed faith in Christ. The disciples of Christ were first called “Christians”' in Antioch (Acts 11:26). A person can only define themselves as a Christian if they have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord. Becoming a Christian is solely based on placing faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Meaning of a Bible Thumper
Being called a “Bible thumper” is an extremely derogatory remark. If a person uses the term “Bible thumper” to refer to someone, it is never positive. A Bible thumper is defined as being “an aggressively zealous advocate of Christian fundamentalism.” Bible thumpers are similar to the Pharisees of Jesus’ day.
Rather than showing love, they show condemnation. In their pursuit of being seen as “religious” or as “followers of God,” they have neglected to show love to others. Instead of focusing on sharing God’s love with others, Bible thumpers are more focused on forcing their own view onto others.
There is nothing wrong with Christian fundamentalism as it upholds proper doctrinal ground in relation to God, the Bible, and ethical matters. However, Bible thumpers are “aggressively zealous advocates.” Bible thumpers can be described as the preachers of the past, who preach hell, brimstone, and damnation.
The term “Bible thumper” comes from the earlier days where pastors would scream, yell, and holler at the congregation on topics such as hell, sin, and damnation. During their sermon, they would thump the top of their Bible in rage and anger. As you can imagine, this is not a proper presentation of the gospel.
Differences Between Christians and Bible Thumpers
All true Christians know that the best way to present the gospel and communicate with others is with love, kindness, and compassion. Jesus tells His followers in the Gospel of John, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
Jesus would not approve of a Bible thumpers’ mentality of screaming at people, telling them they are going to burn in hell, or becoming aggressive with nonbelievers. Jesus did preach on hell numerous times in the Bible (Luke 16:19-31), but He never yelled, screamed, or became aggressive with another person.
Jesus always taught with gravitas, love, and kindness. Bible thumpers come across as being superior to others; however, Christians do not view themselves as being superior. Rather, Christians follow Jesus’ example of taking the nature of a servant (Philippians 2:1-11).
Christians approach others with genuine concern and care. True Christians do not take the mentality of a Bible thumper. Bible thumpers push people away from God as they preach a wrathful God, who wants to condemn people and send them to burn forever in hell. True Christians know the truth of God’s Word and apply it to their daily life.
God is not a wrathful God who delights in seeing people die in their sins. God wants all people to accept Him as 1 Timothy 2:4 says God “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” It does not give God pleasure to see His creation reject Him and go to hell when they die.
It deeply hurts God when people reject Him and never accept His free gift of salvation. When a Christian preaches or teaches the truth of God’s Word, they should never come across as being aggressive or angry at their listeners. Christians are focused on presenting Christ to the lost world.
They are not focused on condemning the lost world and declaring their future to be an eternity separated from God in hell. Bible thumpers and Christians are polar opposites from one another, and we each need to be careful that we do not personally fall into the category of a Bible thumper.
Sharing God’s Love with Others While Not Be a Bible Thumper
Jesus has called us to be His light-bearers to the lost world (Matthew 5:15-16). This means that we are to be the hands, feet, and heart of Christ to not only the lost world but also to our fellow believers. As Christians, we should never condemn someone, nor should we make them feel inferior.
Bible thumpers do both of these things, and it is not beneficial to themselves, others, or to God. God wants us to show kindness, love, and mercy to others. Micah 6:8 tells us, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
It is not our duty to judge others as God alone is the perfect Judge. When a person is a Bible thumper, they are constantly judging others and condemning them. Jesus warns us not to judge others lest we also be judged (Matthew 7:1-5). Additionally, Jesus tells us not only not to judge others, but He also tells us not to condemn others nor to hold unforgiveness to others (Luke 6:37-42).
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Luke 6:41).
Christians uphold holy, moral values while at the same time they show kindness, compassion, and love to others. There is no place in a Christian’s life to live a life of hate, anger, and hostility toward others. A Christian will not effectively shine bright for Jesus if they are constantly judging, hating, and condemning others.
True Christians are radically different from Bible Thumpers. Rather than condemning a person to hellfire, Christians share the gospel and let the gospel and the Holy Spirit convict the individual.
God never wants us to make someone feel inferior or unfavorable about themselves. Bible thumpers try to instill fear into lost souls in order for them to be so afraid of hell that they accept Christ.
As Matt Chandler has rightly stated, “Heaven is not a place for those who are afraid of hell; it’s a place for those who love God.” The love of God is what brings a person to know Christ. Fear does not last, but love does. In time, fear will fade away, but God’s love never fades away.
For further reading:
How Can Christians Justify Mission Work and Colonialism?
What Does it Mean ‘In Your Anger Do Not Sin’?
Why Do We Condemn When Jesus Came to Save?
What Did Jesus Mean to 'Go and Make Disciples’?
Does Pride Really Go Before the Fall? (Proverbs 16:18)
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