How should Christians dispose of old Bibles?

Historical Context and Reverence for Scripture

Throughout history, believers have taken great care to preserve and honor the written Word. In ancient Israel, worn scrolls were often placed in storerooms or buried once they had become unusable. Such practices underscored a deep respect for the physical text that conveyed God’s commandments. This reverence has carried forward into Christian traditions, where believers seek ways to handle old or damaged Bibles in a manner that reflects their value, yet avoids any misplaced veneration of the object itself.

No Direct Biblical Mandate

Scripture does not provide an explicit command about how to dispose of a worn or damaged copy of the Bible. One finds ample passages about honoring and meditating on God’s Word, such as “Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89), but no direct statement on whether old manuscripts must be burned, buried, recycled, or any other specific method.

At the same time, there is a consistent teaching that it is the message that endures, not necessarily the physical pages. Jesus Himself says: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Therefore, while believers rightly care for the printed Scriptures, the Christian faith does not require an overly ritualistic approach to the physical paper and binding.

Principle of Honor without Idolatry

Christians recognize that the Bible is authoritative and inspired, yet the physical pages are not an object of worship. The principle gleaned from the Ten Commandments is clear: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). Respect for the printed Bible should not stray into idolatry. That said, many believe it is proper to ensure that any disposal of a Bible is carried out with the dignity befitting the message it carries, reflecting the believer’s reverence for the truth inside.

Possible Methods of Disposal

1. Donation to Individuals or Ministries

If an old Bible remains mostly intact, consider donating it to someone who does not have a copy or to ministries that distribute Bibles. Many charitable organizations can either rebind or offer them to new readers. This approach follows the biblical principle of sharing and proclaiming God’s Word (cf. Romans 10:17: “Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ”).

2. Rebinding or Restoration

Should the Bible be sentimental or historically important, professional rebinding can extend its usefulness for study or display. This option preserves a cherished or rare Bible’s legacy. Skilled conservators can often repair or restore heavily worn pages and covers, helping retain the history tied to that particular copy.

3. Respectful Recycling

Recycling may be considered for Bibles that have lost pages, become unreadable, or are otherwise beyond practical repair. Some believers carefully cut out any remaining legible sacred text and keep it in a reverent place or a personal scrapbook before recycling the rest. This approach is one way to show that while the written Word is vital, the unblemished message itself remains primary in worship and devotion.

4. Burial

A more symbolic method is to bury an old Bible, reflecting how Jewish communities sometimes placed unserviceable scrolls in a genizah (storage) before giving them a final resting place. While there is no Christian scriptural requirement to do this, those who choose burial see it as an act of reverence for the physical form of the Bible.

5. Burning

Burning can be a delicate topic, often associated with disrespect when done as a symbolic rejection of a book. However, some believers in certain parts of the world have discreetly burned tattered Bibles as an act of solemnity, ensuring they do not end up trampled or thrown in common refuse. If this method is chosen, it should be approached with solemn respect, done privately, and in a way that does not communicate contempt but rather careful disposal.

Heart Attitude and Spiritual Perspective

The most crucial factor in disposing of old Bibles is the heart attitude. Believers honor the Word because it reveals God’s truth to humanity: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). This divine truth leads to salvation through Christ, shapes moral living, and reminds God’s people of His redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation.

Whether one chooses donation, rebinding, recycling, burial, or burning, the focus is to act with reverence, gratitude, and humility. The earthly pages themselves may fade, but the eternal message contained within them endures forever—testifying to salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Conclusion

Though Christians are not bound by any universally mandated rule for disposing of old Bibles, the common thread across varying practices is respect for God’s Word and its influence on believers’ lives. Whether through careful donation, restoration, or reverent disposal, the guiding principle is rooted in love for the Word and awe of the God who authored it. As long as the method chosen reflects heartfelt reverence and a recognition that the Bible is God’s inspired Word, believers can proceed in good conscience, trusting that “the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8).