Last night during our small group, the discussion turned to the pros and cons of using an "electronic" version of the Bible (like on my iPhone) rather than a "hard copy". For example, is it more beneficial to read from an actual book rather than a mobile device? Am I losing something by clicking buttons rather than turning pages? Am I making God's Word "common" by using it on the same device as I do to make calls or find the nearest Starbucks? Is it better, more holy, or more profitable when read from a printed copy? Or is the Word of God just as powerful and life-changing, no matter what form it's in (spoken, handwritten, printed, etc)? Doesn't it really depend on the heart of the reader who is interacting with it?
Another friend and I were talking about it this morning, and acknowledged many possible views on the matter. I decided that I'm curious to know what more people think about this. So, what are your thoughts about the benefits/disadvantages of reading and studying the Bible in electronic form as a primary source, be it on the internet or an app for a mobile device?
7 comments:
I don't think one or the other is more holy than the other, but I can offer some of my personal observations from Bible Study and from devotional reading.
Pros of Electronic Bibles:
1. I have a Treo Smart Phone with Quickverse on it. (ESV by the way) I use this for my devotions each morning and for looking up things throughout the day when I am not around my other Bibles. Another advantage of this arrangement is that Quickverse also does have multi-color highlighting and notes and bookmarking available.
Disadvantage: I've found that it only has limited highlighting available up to a certain amount of memory. This is a definite disadvantage if you mark up your Bible as much as I do. Another disadvantage is the fact that if you battery goes dead and/or the electricity goes out to your house, your sunk. Another disadvantage for techy types (and who has a smart phone that is not a techy type?) If you happen to use your smart phone in church, it is INCREDIBLY tempting to check your mail, or text people as things pop into your mind during church. Therefore, due to my weak will, I do not use it in church unless we are on a trip and I've already given out all my spare Bibles to students who "forgot" their Bibles (this drives me crazy!) Yet another disadvantage especially for students: If your mean youth pastor won't let you birng your cell phone on trips, that means that you don't have access to your Bible, notes, etc. (Not that I know of any mean youth pastors that would tell students that they can't bring electronics on retreats, missions etc..)
I also use Libronix Logos Bible software for help when I am studying a passage for preaching or teaching.
Advantages: .
1. Many, many Bible helps and commentaries etc. Also great greek and hebrew resources to supplement study even if you don't know greek
2. Very cool options for highlighting, marking etc. the electronic Bible pages. (Including a Precepts option!)
3. Very fast and thourough wqord or passage search and research options!
4. Very smooth tranferal of scripture and notes into Word documents etc.
and ability to print the documents.
5. Very nice integration ability when chatting online with people if you want to send them Bible Verses or the text your are working on, etc..
Disadvantages:
1. I haven't yet been able to figure out how to get the highlighting/underlining to print on the sheet while printing. So if you want to know what you marked, you HAVE to be on the program.
2 Again, if the power goes off and/or your computer crashes you are without your Bible, Notes, marking etc. (Not that I have personal experience SEVERAL times!)
4. i believe it is best to have a paper copy of God's Word with your markings, notes, etc. for posterity!
My Bible of choice is the ESV softbound paper version (although I still use the others) small enough to bring along on trips etc. as I am frequently on the road.
Advantages
1. Permanent markings and notes for posterity!
2. No electricity required!
3. Mean youth pastors are happy when you bring your Bible!
Disadvantage
1. Not on your hip necessarily all day long. Although it could be!
Just thought I'd give you my 4.5 cents worth!
Maybe I'm old (oh wait you already called me old!) but I love having hard copy printed books in my hand. This goes for the Bible as well as novels etc....
Don't get me wrong I use the internet for all types of Biblical research A LOT BUT....when it comes to devotions, or church or group Bible Study there is nothing like having the 'hard copy' Word in your hands.
I also think that we lose some Bible literacy if we primarily use electronic devices. There's no need to learn the books of the Bible if you just type in Obadiah and there it is!
There's just something about your Bible that is so personal and becomes a part of you! The notes, the wear, the personal items among the pages! One of my treasured possessions is my Dad's Bible...can't imagine my kids feeling the same about 'mom's iphone'....;)
Give me the hard copy anytime!! It is so comforting curling up on my couch with a warm cup of coffee, a warm blanket, and God's word. It just isn't the same with an electronic device.
I use electronics for so much: research, homeschooling my children, work, paying bills, email, Facebook - all the things of this world that I want to forget when I open God's word. I used the Bible for one thing - meeting with God. The book is set apart for that one purpose. I like it that way.
This is kind of like saying "is the word more powerful printed by the Gutenberg press or on scrolls made of animal skin?" The important thing is that you study it and make sure you are asking the right questions. IE what difference does this make in my life? that what am i going to do about it? so what? now what?
the word is powerful in and of itself. the bigger question is what are we doing with the knowledge that study brings? are we engaged in study?
I never really thought about it. Can you remember what page and column, left or right, the passage was that you're thinking of? I guess you can do that with your iPhone Bible. I wonder if the principle that its the altar that makes things holy, and not the things you place on the altar, might apply
~ Dad
That is an interesting question. I can't speak for anyone else, but I get the most out of my Bible readings when I am reading it from the original manuscripts. I say however you can read it , READ IT, whenever you can and however you can. Don't just stop there, do what it says! James1:22.
These are all really great comments, and some excellent points have been made. It's neat to see that God may use different avenues to deliver His Gospel, but it never ceases to be His Unchanging Word. It remains the same (powerful to save all those who believe) even in the many forms it has taken through the years - speech, handwriting, print, digital. And even when all these things fade (and they will) the Word remains. Now THAT is something to invest in!
I'm encouraged by everyone's thoughtfulness and willingness to discuss. Thanks for sharing!
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