What makes a Bible a Bible? Is there something sacred about having the Bible in a bound book? I’ve gotten to where I mainly read the Bible on my computer, so much so that I’ve embarrassed myself by going to preach somewhere and having to ask to borrow a Bible. In the class that I’m teaching at ACU, when I ask someone to read a passage, half the time they pull out an iPhone and say, “What version do you want?”
I feel a tinge of guilt now and again when I notice that I’m not wearing out the pages on my Bible; wasn’t that always the sign of someone who studied a lot? Still, I know that carrying a bound Bible is something relatively new; most Christians throughout history have not done that. For centuries, most people didn’t even have their own personal copies of the complete Bible. They certainly didn’t have bound editions to carry with them to church.
What do you think? Is there something unhealthy in moving away from the Bible as a book, or a printed book, at least?
God said His word would not disappear (paraphrase). We have PC Study Bible on our computers, and I often read from that because of having several versions available. So long as we can have the Word with us, maybe it isn’t as important to have a bound copy. However, I have known many occasions where having an open bound copy of the Bible has brought about good conversations and teaching. I have been reading a lot about Elizabeth I when the printed English Bible became available to the common people, at least those who could read, and know that previously during her sister’s time, you were condemned if you read the Bible. We are very blessed to have many forms of His Word available to us, and as long as we use them, that is the most important thing.
NO!
That said, the bible does need to be in book form, whether E-book or paper does not matter, but if it were not in book form, we would be lost-er than we are. :)
Yes, the Bible does need to be in book form to count. In the King James Version. Thank you for check. If you need any more help on theological issues such as this, feel free to ask.
Well, I think KJV is a given, though it’s hard to know whether to go with the original 1611 version, or one of the revisions from the 19th century.
The real question, though, is whether or not it has to be a Red Letter Edition. [Which brings up the question again: Why do they put Jesus’ words in red, but don’t do the same with God’s words?]
We sit in the front of the auditorium and I cringe when my husband pulls out his Iphone to read the Bible. I know people think he’s surfin the net or checking his email. :)
Your question reminds me of a discussion that my library school graduate students in “Theological Librarianship” last fall had about sacred books. We were thinking together about the antiquity and diversity of holy books, and of the variety of their physical forms. The point of the discussion was to help the students appreciate the variety of the literature and of the expertise required to study them, or even to preserve and catalog them.
Tim, if the internet is replacing paper bibles, could it also be responsible for falling membership in churches, is the need for learning in church no longer needed, when the mouse brings all knowledge to you with just a click? Not only the readiness is available, but you can get any version of the truth you crave.
could the reason the congregations are getting older, and smaller be, they use the computer less.? They still have a need for the church.
So long as we believe religion is about “open head and pour in knowledge” comments like that will make sense.
With apologies to popular country singer Josh Turner, as long as we think it is about ‘Me and God’, comments like that will make sense.
What I wish would replace paper Bibles is what Paul told Timothy to stick with: public reading of Scripture.
I don’t think we were intended to lock ourselves in towers and think noble thoughts about the Word of God — we were meant to test one anothers’ yokes in a communal context.
The Internet just lets us avoid the dirt and grit and broken neediness of real people.
-It’s OK for a Bible to be on the phone
-The internet is replacing church for many…. which is shouldn’t because that is where one or more are gathering in God’s name and the point is to come together to learn and worship him. Nick, you competely have it right that we should be reading God’s word together (no matter the format- although preferably it would be written on our hearts and there would be no need for us to have to look it up.)
I just realized I’m beginning to repeat my posts. A definite sign of getting old:
http://www.timothyarcher.com/kitchen/?p=11
http://www.timothyarcher.com/kitchen/?p=12
At least it’s been two years since I wrote on this subject. Maybe we can cut me some slack.
Tim, I’m humbled when I think of Jewish boys in synagogue school that know Torah by heart. I don’t mean memorized (where you can recite passages). I mean KNOW it — they can work out by memory all the different birds that appear in Torah, and when and where each one is mentioned.
If pressed, I MIGHT have 20-30 verses memorized.