Uber blogger Tim Challies suggests that my using my iPhone Bible while listening to a sermon is not really a good idea and may have a detrimental effect on my actually deepening my understanding of and dexterity in using my Bible.
I confess, I like using the Bible on my phone (I’ve done it for many years) while listening to a sermon. It is easier for me to take notes. I also use Bible software while studying and preparing for sermons. Most of my intake of Scripture is with a physical copy of the Scriptures.
I do think there is something to be gained by using a physical rather than electronic Bible in regular reading, studying and teaching of Scripture. But times and people seem to be changing in the way they take in information. The electronic world seems to be utilized more and more. A good friend of mine does all of his devotional reading with his computer and even sends out his devotionals electronically to a e-mail subscription group. He has done it for many years and does not seem to be any the worse for it. I wish I had his discipline and depth of devotion.
Give Challies’ article a read and let me know what you think. Do you do much reading online or through a PDA, smart phone, Kindle, etc.?
Don’t Take Your iPod to Church! :: books, reading, technology :: A Reformed, Christian Blog.
I hate to use the word "Luddite" here but that's the distinct impression I get from the Challies piece. As I said there, I've been studying primarily on a computer and carrying some type of electronic Bible to church for over 20 years now and I don't see the downside. In fact, all I see are upsides.
He's concerned about distracting the people around us, but I just don't see that. I've seldom been asked about my use of technology while listening to a sermon; I've never gotten a rude look or remark; and I've never had someone go to the pastor and complain. I noticed today the lady three seats down from me was sending a text during the sermon but it didn't interrupt my note-taking.
I'm way more distracted by strong perfume or cologne, kids kicking the back of my seat, people talking during the sermon (i.e. "Too bad Fred isn't here to hear this one! He could really use it!"), and any noise that comes out of the organ ever, even during singing (especially during singing). (If it were up to me I'd chop that organ up and burn it.)
So I'm with you.Read your Bible however you'd like. Paper, plastic, phone, PDA, or Kindle. Whatever works for you. Better that you read it somewhere than nowhere.
Thanks for stopping by Craig. While I still used my iPhone Bible this morning in church, I will still use my calfskin tonight when I preach. Why is that?
There has to be some reason why my Greek professor in seminary wouldn't let us use any short cuts, whether technological or physical when learning to parse our words and digest syntactical constructions. Learning the hard way made me think in ways I would not have had I had some technological crutches to lean on. I certainly had to think more carefully when parsing verbs without the hard way as opposed to merely passing my mouse over a word in Bible Works. Like working out in the weight room, free weights make you use some muscles you'll never touch with the machines (I'm no expert in this). There is something to be said about the way we've trained our brains to think when using electronic media as opposed to physical print. I'm not totally sure what it is – maybe it's generational.
However, I want to be careful with this. I still use Wallace's grammar, I simply do it now with a computer. My concordances are all electronic and are blazing fast and accurate. I used to write out all of my exegetical notes and sermons long hand, now it's all electronic. I don't ever want to go back.
But, I think Challies has touched on something that needs to be delved into more deeply. Has reading electronically affected the way we think – how carefully we think and reason? I'm not so sure on the answer just yet, but I think he has something worthy considering carefully.
Anyhoo, I still plan to use my iPhone when listening to sermons (less in dialogue Bible studies) and I don't plan to use it when preaching tonight. How come?
Save the baby cows! iPods for everyone! 😉
I'm no theologian…I would have to consult with my resident deep thinker…but as much as I enjoy holding a Bible (and other books), and turning pages as part of the reading/absorbing experience, I see no harm in using technology to more quickly and conveniently access information, save and notate, pass things along to others, etc. The Word of God isn't in the paper and ink, is it?
What did people think when passing information down by oral tradition was replaced with the alphabet, ink and paper? It may have been a shocking revolution…but does anyone dispute the benefit?
Amen Carol-I think you should consult your resident deep thinker-is he
using his tech Bible?