Many people believe that we are quickly approaching the day in which the Bible no longer exists...at least in book form. Lisa Miller of Newsweek writes about the digital bible phenomenon in her story, Goodbye to Gideon? Digital Bible Could Hasten End of Bound Scriptures.
Her encounter with two digital Bible salesmen convinced her that "the leather-bound Bible on every household bookshelf may soon—like records and videocassettes and newspapers—be endangered, if not extinct. Already, millions of people are storing Bibles on their cell phones, for use in church or in an airport lounge. Already, those Bibles let you bookmark favorite passages, scribble notes, link to favorite commentaries. Imagine if they also talked, sang, and moved."
The digital salesmen were selling a new product called Glo. I sampled this software at a conference earlier this year and it is pretty amazing. If you aren't familiar check out this video:
Technology has contributed to the availability and viability of the Scriptures in culture throughout history. For many years, the Bible existed in parts, but soon the "codex" emerged. A codex is a bound book like we have today. The invention of the printing press also proved critical, both for mass distribution of Bibles as well as information dilineation in the Protestant Reformation. The question we face now is whether this current innovation is positive or negative, whether something is lost or much more is gained in the digital version of the Bible. Either way, I think change is coming and we need to prepare for it.
How does this make you feel? Is the paper-printed Bible a wheezing dinosaur on its last leg? Do you think the digital Bible trend is negative or positive?
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Disclaimer: The Bible USB Keychain pictured above is a real product. It is not an official joanthanmerritt.com recommended resource, but is intended to give you a moment or two of mid-day laughter. Scroll down on the Bible USB web site and check out the teenager holding it out his car window. Instant classic.
Travis Mamone said:
I personally think the printed Bible, and printed books in general, aren't going anywhere for a while. To be, there's something about the touch and feel of book pages that can never be replaced. Plus, my eyes tend to hurt real bad if I stare at a screen for too long.
Posted: October 23, 2009
RayDeck3 said:
I've run into a few people who devalue a non-print Bible as if there is something more inspired about scripture on paper with ink than scripture in pixels. To me, that is an extremely frightening belief to encounter. Glad to see things like Glo effectively communicating unchanging biblical truth into the digital age.
Posted: October 23, 2009
Bill Beahan said:
The concern I have is that it then becomes too easy to "modify". David Daniels has written an excellent little book titled "Look WHat's Missing" about the various "modern" translatios and how they have left things out or made "minor" changes either by mistake or to be politically correct. When someone in a bible study reads aloud from somethig like the "Living Bible" or the "Message" the twisting of the origianl meaning often becomes evident. This is just part of the sad trend.
Posted: October 25, 2009
Bob Allen said:
I've used digital Bibles for many years, starting with the Online Bible. I carried 7+ translations and paraphrases on my Palm Pilot. Now I have two different digital Bibles on my iPhone. I like the flexibility and searchability of a digital Bible; I like instant access to multiple versions and study resources; I like the small form factor of the Bibles on my iPhone. But, I cannot imagine giving up the print versions of my Bible either -- I can scan my handwritten notes to find a note that I vaguely remember; I prefer reading from the print version; batteries never fail on the print version. For me it's not an either/or but I want both.
Posted: October 25, 2009
Adam said:
I'd have to agree with Bob. It shouldn't be an either/or situation. While it is great to make use of technology we must be careful in it's approach. Often times, digital or printed, the Scriptures have become just another business and way to peddle money off of Christians who want the newest thing in Christian marketing. The easy of use and portability of the digital format is excellent and helpful. But as a minister, it is irritating to have students use their iphones when I'm teaching, only to find out or know that they aren't looking at Scripture as they claim but playing with the apps. It's not the technology, it's the heart in these cases. But there is no doubt when the student has a printed Scripture in their hand looking at the pages.
There's nothing wrong with the digital format in itself, but just be wary not to put all your stock in the "newness" of digital print Scripture.
Why do you use it? Is bc of portability or laziness? Bc of newness or helps you spiritually? These questions come down to your heart. It def can be used and be used rightly. But please don't use it to be the cool guy with a new twist to get attn.
Posted: October 26, 2009
David Farmer said:
I like both. I'd rather read the hard copy version, because I grew up in the paper age, and I like to hold the book, feel the pages and see how the whole page is laid out on the paper. I find it more inspiring to read from a hard copy.
I also like the e-versions, including online and on the Kindle, as these bring a great deal of flexibility especially when on travel or just wanting to find a key word or topic that you can find faster than with a hard copy.
I hope the hard copy never disappears!
Posted: October 28, 2009