There was a time when I basically had one Bible that I used all of the time. It was a New International Version that had been given to me by some friends in California (whose pet dog had chewed up the Bible I received for high school graduation). I would always have the Bible with me and would use it for devotional reading, personal study, class preparation, as well as teaching and preaching.
Those days are gone. I think I’ve mentioned before that I’ve embarrassed myself at times by arriving somewhere to teach class or to preach and discovered that I didn’t bring a Bible with me! I no longer have a trusty, go-with-me-everywhere Bible.
Here are the main ways I read the Bible now:
- Accordance: I use the Accordance program on my Mac for most of my work in preparing classes and studies. In the basic setup, I have 5 versions open side by side: New International Version, Dios Habla Hoy, King James Version (with Strong’s), English Standard Version, Reina-Valera 1960.
- Bilingual New International Version-Nueva Versión Internacional: A friend in Stockdale, Texas, gave me this Bible. I use it for preaching on Sundays. There are copies of this same Bible available to those in attendance, and I can refer to passages by page number as well as chapter and verse.
- BibleGateway.com: I use this site at times for a quick lookup of a passage. I also use it to print out the main text for my sermons. (Larger font works well for my middle-aged eyes)
- PocketSword: I use this Bible app on the iPod when I’m teaching class at ACU. I often don’t have a convenient way to carry a full text, and this electronic version works well. Plus it’s easier for me to read without glasses. (Funny how that is becoming a recurrent theme in my choice of Bibles)
- NIV Study Bible: Even though I have the full text of this study Bible within the Accordance program, there are times when it is helpful to look at an actual book
How about you? Has your method of reading the Bible changed over the years? Has your Bible version of choice changed at all? Do you think the next generation will be reading the Bible in traditional book form or some other format?
I think future generations will definitely be moving away from print and into digital. I use YouVersion on my PDA, and I carry an NRSV with me because of the durable cover and binding on this particular edition.
Well, I was raised reading the NIV translation. In fact, I received as a gift the first publication of the NIV Study Bible which my wife gave to a female immate at White County Jail in Searcy, AR (I hope she is still reading it). Although now that I am able to read the Greek NT and am aware of some of the translation problems with the NIV, I still think it (and its child, the TNIV) is a good translation. I primarily study out of the NRSV but I also enjoy reading the NLT version as well.
Grace and peace,
Rex
Personally, I will always have a “book version” of the Bible. In fact, I’m a bit addicted to them! Anyway, I will always opt for parchment (not literally any more!) and binding for plastic and a screen. Needless-to-say a Kindle is not on my Christmas list – yet. I know, I’m old!
I have used one bible and it has been with me for about 15 years.
I have notes, underlined verses, side dates when I discovered life changing progressive revelation in my perspective of doctrinal truths.
The new King James bible version.
Heveanbound said “…when I discovered life changing progressive revelation in my perspective of doctrinal truths.”
I’m just curious what that means? What is “changing progressive revelation?” What is “my perspective of doctrinal truths?”
Grace and peace,
Rex
I have some digital versions, but still far prefer to pick up one of my worn bibles. There’s just a familiarity that I enjoy.