The word for this week is Bible.
If you haven’t noticed, technology has taken over. Technology has transformed our world and daily lives which ultimately dictates how we live. Texting has turned the once meaningful 30 minute telephone conversation into a blurb of 160 typed characters or less. Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.) and video games are consuming even larger portions of our time.
In some instances, going to school has been revolutionized. You don’t even have to physically get up and go to an actual building or classroom anymore because technology affords us the opportunity and freedom to log-in from virtually anywhere. Even the church is having its fair share of technological upgrades. You can pay your tithes and offerings electronically via a mobile app or the kiosk in the lobby. You no longer have to worry about using your last check (do people still write checks?), having exact change or a pen to fill out the envelope.
We no longer have to physically watch the news from the television, walk up to the check-in counter at the airport or call our pizza order in because each of the for mentioned activities can be completed efficiently by simply downloading an app to your smartphone or tablet. As a Millennial, (born 1975-2000), using technology doesn’t ruffle our feathers as much as someone born during the Baby Boomer Generation (1945-1964), or say Generation X (1961-1981), which is what sparked this debate.
A couple of Sundays ago, I was leaving church and overheard a conversation between two ushers, one appeared to be Generation X and the other a Baby Boomer regarding the use of cellphones in church. The usher was explaining a number of people use their phones and tablets to read along/keep up with the pastor’s message during service. I didn’t stick around to hear the rebuttal but is using the bible app on your cellphone a problem?
There was a time when carrying a physical bible with actual pages was the norm. Everyone had one. It didn’t matter if you were young or old, the bible could have been big or small, KJV or NIV, leather bound or hard back, it didn’t matter because the words inside were most important. The bible is our guide on how we as Christians are to live our lives here on Earth. Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”. So I don’t think we’ll get points deducted on Judgment Day if we choose the actual book or the mobile app.
I made some calls to see what other church folk had to say (good or bad) about using the Holy Bible vs. Holy Bible App during church. Here’s a list of the responses I received:
- “It’s not normal not to carry the Holy Bible (hand-held) with you to church”
- “The bible app is a distraction in church”
- “The bible app doesn’t encourage individual study away from church”
- “The Holy Bible app is easily accessible and all I have to do is tap/click”
- “When I hold my bible, I feel as though I have a closer connection”
- “Some pastors/ministers use them in the pulpit to teach, so why can’t I?”
- “I can write notes about the sermon in the margin of my by bible for reference. I can’t do this with the app”
It’s hard to say which side wins but what is clear is that you each have to do what works for you. If carrying the bible you received after being baptized works for you, great! If you don’t have a conventional bible but you have a smartphone or tablet and you choose to download the Holy Bible app, then get your praise on.
People read to seek out information for growth and knowledge but how it’s disseminated can be endless. What bible works best for you, the conventional Holy Bible or Holy Bible app?
#WhatsTheWord #WTW #HolyBible