I have to admit I love the convenience of bible apps. They offer quick access to various translations and study tools. It’s so easy to pull out my smartphone throughout the day and get encouragement, instruction, comfort, guidance and revelation throughout the day. Sometimes if I’m in a stressful or contentious meeting, I will open a bible app to help my mind stay focused and to help me remain in the integrity and character of God.
There are some pastors who don’t like that convenience and accessibility in worship service. They like the personal discipline of bringing a bound bible to church. Sometimes they feel having cell phones and tablets out during worship service is a distraction. Some feel that people are texting or surfing the web during service. Some pastors are concerned with what would we do if technology fails (in case they can’t get a signal). Some pastors have a personal preference to hear pages turning.
I by no means think that bible apps should replace bound bibles, however I do think they are an excellent use of technology, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with using them in worship service.
The words in an electronic medium are no different from the words on a paper medium. They are no different than the words were on a parchment or papyrus medium. God’s words on your smart phone or tablet are no different than they were on a scroll or carved in stone. Whether the words were carved, written with a quill or typed…it’s still the word of God.
The word is the word, no matter where it’s recorded or who it was written.
I just want to remind those pastors who forbid bible apps in the worship services they oversee that…
Bound bibles were once technology too.
I wonder how many religious leaders complained about the use of scrolls instead of stone tablets. I wonder if how many religious leaders complained about the use of bound bibles after years of using scrolls.
Tablets of stone, parchment scrolls and sheets of papyrus mediums were examples utilizing the latest technology to provide newer and better options to record, share, read and study God’s word.
As I said, I by no means think that electronic bibles should by no means replace bound bibles…I have several, and there is no guarantee that the technology we enjoy today will last until Jesus returns.
Yes I feel pastors have a valid concern that there may not be a data signal available and the bible app may not work. So, I encourage everyone to have a bound bible on hand in worship service. As far as the distraction of a wandering mind texting or surfing is no different from a wondering mind doodling on a piece of paper, or figuring their bills or planning their meal after church.
I do want to encourage all pastors to allow their members feel comfortable using their various bible apps in worship service. From electricity to climate control to computers to the transportation we use to get to worship…technology has its place in church. Many churches have even embraced streaming their services live to make their worship available to the word without the cost of being on television.
So, pastors, please let them pull out their phones. What really matters is that everyone has access to the same word of God.
Remember, that God has spoken to His people in VARIOUS WAYS, yet His word remains the same…
Hebrews 1:1 (NKJV)
God, who at various times and IN VARIOUS WAYS spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
BE BLESSTIFIED!
BE BLESSTIFIED! 
Part of it, I believe is that the Bound bible, the physical aspect is something you can really clutch in your hand. Another feature is that traditionally, they can ‘look’ more ‘churchy’ with the bible in hand, thus; more pious. Some forget we didn’t even have a bible for almost 1,500 years and too, the earliest bibles were ORAL, not written at all. Greek was NOT the original language at all. I love the apps, love to see them in videos and love to hear them on mp3s. I wouldn’t do away with any of them and wonder why people are ignorant o f the bible with so many ways to learn. Once again you provided an excellent post. A great read.
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Thanks my friend. And thanks for putting # to the post. I love when anointed people add to the conversation.
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Not sure what you mean by “Greek was not the original language at all.” Sure, the OT was written in Hebrew and Aramaic, but the New Testament was certainly written in Koine Greek. Paul wrote letters which were read in churches. “When you read this,” he said, “you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ.” Ephesians 3:4
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Mark,
I don’t believe many scholars believe Jesus spoke Greek. More than likely, Aramaic and of course, not Latin. Paul was Turkish and thus, of course, his native language was Greek but this is NOT the case for the other books. Nonetheless, most of the scriptures were oral at the time until at some point and we don’t really know, where they were written. The time frame here is all guesswork as we fail to have any of the originals manuscripts. Paul’s letters were different as they were in fact, yes letters and later were somehow transformed into canonize ‘scripture’. They certainly were not at the time. At least Paul never said his were and it also begs the question that Paul didn’t even write all the letters we ascribe to him. IN at least two of his epistles the authors are really unknown. Concluding, some scholars even suggest that Jesus may have spoken Hebrew, but again, this is not really known. I appreciate your response and your interest and look forward to discussing the Bible with you in the future. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Tom
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Very good points 🙂 there is definitely the fear of distraction becoming an easy temptation for others. I know many fall because of that distraction. But it also indicates a heart issue, not one the pastor can control. Just because we use a bible in church doesn’t mean we use it outside.
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You are right, people don’t need a smartphone to be distracted. Thanks as always for sharing:-)
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