I think Christians are right to get into these kinds of discussions, but not to the point where they divide congregations and denominations. Here's my take on the issue.
Imagine you are on a journey with friends, it's a really hot day and you see a billboard ahead. It says "Ice cream - 1 mile ahead". You could investigate the poster. You could study the fonts, colours, message, images, size, what it tells you about the author and ice cream. But the poster is not the point, is it? If you never get beyond the poster, and follow the directions you'll miss out on the ice cream!
When Jesus was here there were a group of people who studied the Bible in great detail. The Bible was their focus. He said to them, "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life." (John 5:39-40)
Please don't misunderstand me, I do think that studying the Bible is important! We have to know our Bibles - that's how we discern truth from falsehood. But we have to get past the Bible to Jesus - the one who gives us life. He is the goal. The Bible shows the way to get there!
Image: Google Images
