It’s not uncommon in churches, when the time comes for the Bible reading, to see people reach not for a printed pew Bible, but for their phones, to read the Bible on a phone app. Since the pandemic, people have become even more nervous about picking up a printed Bible in church—despite the lack of evidence of any risk, this is a hangover from the first regulations in March 2020, when it was thought that Covid-19 could be transmitted via surfaces.
When I was in a session at New Wine a couple of years ago, the speaker at the morning Bible study (Miriam Swaffield) commented that she thought it was better for people to read print Bibles than read them from a screen. It made me sit up, since I say this frequently when teaching in different contexts, but this was the first time I had heard someone else say it from ‘up front’. When I commented on this on social media, I was taken back by the torrent of reactions—I hadn’t realised that this was quite such a controversial suggestion!
Electronic texts are very useful for certain purposes. I probably spend 98% of my time working with the electronic text of the Bible on my computer, because I am often looking for particular texts and wanting to copy the English or Greek into something that I am writing. (It isn’t very easy to find the seven occurrences of ‘cried out in a loud voice’ using a specific grammatical construction in the Book of Revelation in a printed text!) And I will often read on my phone (using the same app, Accordance) when I want to read along in Hebrew or Greek in a church context.
Some people read on their phone because it is easier to make the type size larger (this concerns people of a certain age!)—for the sight-impaired, this is really important—and electronic texts allow you to read in different translations easily and compare them. But I suspect that the reason why most people read the Bible on a phone app is because
a. it is convenient as I already have the phone in my pocket and
b. all of my life is on the phone, so it is something that I am used to.
(I omit c. it means I can easily check social media when the sermon gets boring without anyone really noticing.)
Apart from avoiding the distractions of really urgent text messages and social media notifications the must be attended to, there are other really important reasons why print Bibles (technically called a codex) offer a better reading experience.
Navigation
When a reading is announced, it is quicker and easier for those with print Bibles to find the reading, especially when the page number in common pew Bibles is given. The basic reason for this is that electronic texts are, in effect, scrolls; they read across, but are a virtual form of a continuous linear text. It is rather ironic to note that codices became the preferred form of text because they were smaller, cheaper, more convenient, and easier to find one’s way around than scrolls, and these issues became the main drivers when ordinary people, becoming Christians, were interested in the Christian scriptures. Electronic scrolls are, essentially, two dimensional; books are three dimensional, and that makes all the difference.
Because of their easy navigability, paper books and documents may be better suited to absorption in a text. “The ease with which you can find out the beginning, end and everything inbetween and the constant connection to your path, your progress in the text, might be some way of making it less taxing cognitively, so you have more free capacity for comprehension,” Mangen says.
Supporting this research, surveys indicate that screens and e-readers interfere with two other important aspects of navigating texts: serendipity and a sense of control. People report that they enjoy flipping to a previous section of a paper book when a sentence surfaces a memory of something they read earlier, for example, or quickly scanning ahead on a whim. People also like to have as much control over a text as possible—to highlight with chemical ink, easily write notes to themselves in the margins as well as deform the paper however they choose.
Canon
When you open a print Bible, you are immediately aware of where the text you are reading comes in the Bible as a whole. Genesis is at the beginning; the Psalms are in the middle. Revelation is at the end. Noticing these, even unconsciously, is contributing to your biblical literacy—your overall understanding of the shape of the biblical story—and this is a crucial skill in reading and interpreting well.
Of course the canon of Scripture as we have it is in a rather odd order. We would naturally arrange things chronologically, rather than first by kind of writing and second by length, starting with the longest and going down to the shortest. But understanding this grouping also helps our biblical literacy: the psalms are not the only example of ‘the writings’; Isaiah is not the only ‘major prophet’; 1 and 2 Kings are not the only ‘histories’ (or ‘former prophets’ if you are Jewish); there are four gospels; and so on. You might argue that these things are common knowledge or are easily discovered—but the point is that you discover them in the process of reading a print text, which you don’t when reading from a screen.
Even more importantly, print Bibles naturally give you the immediate context of a reading. To read a short extract is to artificially decontextualise a reading. In the church where I grew up, the Bible readings were extracted and printed in the service sheets, which completely eliminated the context—and projecting readings on a screen does the same. If I have my print Bible open, I see as part of my reading the passages preceding and following, and with the turn of the page the wider context still. This is not simply harder with electronic texts; it is not a natural part of the reading process.
Allow the New Testament to come alive by joining me on a trip to Greece in the footsteps of St Paul in April 2027.
Learning and cognition
The issue of canonical understanding relates to wide questions about effective learning. There is a significant move gathering pace in higher education away from electronic resources and screens, because the research evidence suggest that screens actually inhibit learning for a variety of reasons.
Average final exam scores among students assigned to classrooms that allowed computers were 18 percent of a standard deviation lower than exam scores of students in classrooms that prohibited computers. Through the use of two separate treatment arms, we uncover evidence that this negative effect occurs in classrooms where laptops and tablets are permitted without restriction and in classrooms where students are only permitted to use tablets that must remain flat on the desk surface.
I can still remember very clearly where on the page certain passages come, not least in relation to the Annie Vallotton pictures in the Good News Bible I read as a teenager. Our brains are not abstract processors of communication; we are embedded in the real world, and real world experiences make a difference to how we think. That is why walking through a doorway makes us forget why we went into the room in the first place—and conversely why thinking about physical spaces can actually enhance our ability to remember things. In fact, the brain has no other way of conceptualising what writing is other than as a physical object.
We often think of reading as a cerebral activity concerned with the abstract—with thoughts and ideas, tone and themes, metaphors and motifs. As far as our brains are concerned, however, text is a tangible part of the physical world we inhabit. In fact, the brain essentially regards letters as physical objects because it does not really have another way of understanding them.
We are not spirits trapped in physical bodies, waiting to escape to an immaterial spiritual world. We are body-soul unities, and our future hope is physical, in the resurrection of the dead and a new heaven and earth. No wonder the physically of texts matters to us.
Real and lasting
For most of us, electronic texts are ephemeral whilst printed texts are, in some distinct sense, real and lasting. (A curious anecdote: when I first started regularly writing on this blog, my instinct was to capture what I wrote physically, so I was in the habit of printing out all the blog posts and filing them away carefully. I soon realised this was not practical, and this weekend just cleared out the file and threw all the printouts away.) That is why we are happy to read the holiday novel on Kindle, but technical and reference books are still almost all bought as physical texts. Which is the Bible closest to?
Justin Hardin, who teaches in a seminary in the States, commented in discussion:
The others senses are deprived when we read electronically. The smell of the paper. The weight of the book in our hands. The rustle of the pages as we flip to new sections. How can we immerse ourselves into the work of reading when we reduce it to a screen? (And this doesn’t address silent reading v. reading aloud.) I have had technology-free classrooms my whole career, and with each crop of students, they find it more and more refreshing.
In this context, I find it fascinating to note that scripture refers to itself less as ‘what was said’ and more as ‘it is written’. The inscription of text in a physical form gives it a permanence and a reality which electronic texts can never have. God made himself known in a physical, personal expression in Jesus, and continues to make himself known in the physical, written expression in scripture.
Public
Books are public; by and large screens are private. If you are studying the Bible in a small group, the dynamic feels quite different when all are reading print Bibles on public display compared with everyone reading on their phones. Try it! scripture is ‘public truth’, public testimony about who God is and the person and work of Jesus, and we need to keep it public.
Now some would object: weren’t what we have as biblical text first heard, and not read or studied? That is true, not least as a reflection (in relation to the New Testament) of the low levels of literacy (perhaps around 14% of the population) in the Roman Empire. But the evidence of the role of letter carriers, the historical development of the codex, and the texts themselves (often very carefully constructed) all demonstrate that the biblical authors expected their writings to be studied in great detail, and that in fact they were.
So here is (electronically!) the bottom line: if you want people to engage well in reading Scripture, to remember what they have read, and to engage in a life-changing immersive experience of Bible reading, don’t put your Bible readings on screen. Buy pew Bibles! And as you encourage people to return to worship God in a shared physical space, encourage them to read a real, physical Bible—for just the same reasons. (A version of this previously published in 2021.)
Buy me a Coffee
Have you read ‘Liquid Scripture’ by Jeffrey Siker? Has some interesting reflections on a digital Bible and authority, individualism and consumerism.
The observation about screens and memory leads me to wonder if those of us who preach should consider not using screens in our preparation and sticking with pen and paper!
I quite often use Accordance to find things…then go there in a printed Bible.
Digital is far easier for comparing several different translations.
Our homegroup folk are about 50/50.
Interesting point about said and written:
“it was said”…9 times in the NIV
“it is written”… 72 times in the NIV
When you are on the street, Steve, do you communicate first, in writing, in transcripts of what you will then say in opening up conversations, handing out your notes.
Hello, I am Steve. Can I please hand you notes of what I’d like to talk with you. Transient and permanent.
Try reading the Bible aloud in the market place.
Hi Geoff,
Yes. Often a leaflet is just a means to start a conversation. We take a few Gospels to give out to people who want to take things further.
Every encounter evolves differently so needs wisdom to know what to say to keep it going.
I’m not brave enough to read the Bible out loud. But it’s something I would like to try.
Handwriting. Is there any research to suggest handwriting is more effective than keyboard in aiding understanding and retention? The example cited from education may or may not provide indirectly support.
I recall a previous article about writing out scripture in a notebook, that also garnered some support for the idea.
BTW, the comments expressed in the discussion with Andy Bannister on this matter were more lively, forthright.
And for churches following the set lectionary readings, it is important to read around for the context, which can be frequently ignored in preaching, teaching.
Yes – it’s a fairly well accepted finding that writing things out by hand engages more of the brain, forces you to analyse and summarise in real time (you can’t write everything you hear), and embeds better in your memory because of the association with fine motor skills.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-writing-by-hand-is-better-for-memory-and-learning/
Thanks Adam.
Can recall barely being able to keep up making notes from lectures that weren’t reduced to chalk-board notes and having to form my own short-hand. At that time some students were beginning to tape record the lectures, but I found that even more time consuming, not listening attentively and needing to listen again to make notes. But repetition is key to learning, isn’t it? As long as it is not reduced to rote. But understanding frequently needs to be backed-up supported by memorisation. Thankfully, I have no need to return to those ‘old school’ times.
Repetition is the key to recall. Whether that’s the learning you need is another question. I think the more important element is that in handwriting you just can’t write it down verbatim (or even close to that). The speaking speed will be too far ahead of the writing speed. So you have to pay close attention to the point being made and the argument advanced, and then quickly write a summary of that, and that is the true learning – you have to really understand it, and then embed that hard into the memory.
Adam, did you see this article on writing out the Bible by hand? https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/writing-out-the-bible-by-hand/
And wide margined bibles can be scribbled on to make notes to help you possess the text and its meaning. I love finding old comments and merging them with my current thoughts or what I am hearing from the pulpit. I know you can technically do this digitally but it’s not all on the same page or integrated.
I get the point, though I’m not so hardline about it. I am slightly wary of assuming people are pottering about around the text, or dawdling on their phones, because the sermon has become dull and they’re distracting themselves. The larger problem is that if this is the case, it sounds like the sermon needs to be improved and shortened.
I came to the view a few years ago that we’ve gotten so used to examining Scripture verse by verse that as a general habit we omit the context. My understanding of the epistles in particular was transformed when I undertook that whenever I was looking at particular passage I would read the entire letter straight through. It is after all written as a single letter, with arguments and thoughts being developed and explained through the whole thing, and to be read as a single letter. And I now in general when I’m quoting Scripture won’t refer to the verse, but instead to only to the chapter – I’ll point you to where I’m referring, but I want you to read the context.
Adam, I’d suggest, preparation, preparation, preparation is key to good preaching. And I’ve not found essay style with numbered points engaging to listen to.
There was one old time preacher, G Campbell Morgan who was reputed to read a whole book 30 times before preaching on a particular passage.
Numbered points (plural) worries me. You don’t have to say everything that could be said about a passage when preaching on it. Better to have a clear focus on what is the lesson you think we should be drawing from the passage today.
One invaluable aspect of digital Bibles is the accompanying audio format. I frequently have a commute of 20-30 minutes, and having a Bible on my phone allows me to “redeem the time,” on an otherwise sterile experience.
Yes indeed. But that is quite a separate issue from reading on a screen. The technology there is not really relevant; something similar is true with taking photos ‘on my phone’.
Haven’t read a print Bible with any regularity for years. In fact, as I told one of my congregation members, I’ve generally stopped reading the Bible in whatever format, at least as part of my daily diet.
These days I mainly listen to the Bible–just like they did in the first century for most of their Christian lives. Is that bad? Admittedly, I generally listen on my mobile phone.
I am trying to tell my completely blind father the gospel and have not suggested yet that he should try a print Bible. However if I can get his Metaglasses working for more than six hours at a time, I will definitely put a print Bible in front of him so that he can listen to it, should he choose to do so.
Thanks Gordon. Listening on your phone is good—but don’t be deceived. That is not how Christians listened, for two reasons.
First, they listened in community, whilst you are listening on your own. Secondly, they gave their full attention, whilst I suspect that you listen whilst doing other things…?
And note that, from the beginning, there was an expectation that the Scriptures would be carefully studied as well. Within the faith community, literacy was probably much higher than across the empire generally, as has remained the case amongst religious communities.
For me all methods mentioned have their plus and minus points
This reminds me of
ACTS.13:27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
I am also reminded of my old Physics master Mr. “Noddy” Merry;
His sole aim in life was not that we just listened to him but that we fully understood the point he was making. Hence his nodding, all the class mimicked him with furious nodding which however did not impress him as he reiterated his point[s] to be sure.
All of which taught me a life lesson not just to read but to fully understand what is being read or said. If not ,to persevere searching and praying because as wisdom says “I give understanding” or Paul’s “in understanding be men”
“In all your getting get understanding “
31:2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
Ex.31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
Deut. 4:6 …..Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people
Job 28:12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
“Understanding” is a great word study. It is possible to read or hear
and not hear “the voice”
“If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God [the Hebrew says, ‘If hearing, you hear the voice of the Lord your God. That’s a Hebraism, a very emphatic form. If you listen with the most tremendous care to the voice of the Lord your God…] and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes then abundance of rich blessings are and will be yours
Hear and obey is the Genesis of “this is my beloved son Hear HIM.
See – https://www.derekprince.com/radio/442 for what it means to Hear God and hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Shalom.
“It is written…”
True but if someone else reads the written words and you listen, is there much difference? It’s generally accepted that Paul’s letters would have been read to the gathering of people after all. And would a typical Jew have direct access to the OT or did they rely on it being read to them by leaders?
Hearing and obeying
Missionally Paul had one aim and one endpoint
“….now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith”:
“We have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations.”
“The obedience of faith” (from the Greek hypakoē pisteōs) is a biblical phrase primarily used by the apostle Paul in the book of Romans to describe a life of active trust, loyalty, and submission to God. It means that true faith is not merely intellectual agreement, but action-oriented obedience that naturally flows from believing.
In short, rather than viewing faith and obedience as two separate things, it defines them as two sides of the same coin: you cannot truly have one without the other.
How to know if you have heard and obeyed?
Well, you will be overwhelmed with enriching blessings
See the blessings and curses in Ex.15
Notice, twice Moses says, the key condition is hearing and obeying the voice of God. And he says if you do that, “all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you.”
“I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people.’”
Exodus 19:5-6
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
The opposite will be curses and disaster poverty and humbling
Paul’s aim for the Church was to bring them to the perfect man
To the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ-
The tranquillity, the equilibrium, the equanimity, all-conquering and soul Rest. Shalom.
Yes and yes again, multiplied by 100!
Al the above and more! The bible in book form is so much better for giving, almost subliminally, the geography of the whole story. No it’s not entirely in chronological order, but there’s enough landscape to get more than the drift of salvation history.
I have no understanding of the reason behind any church not having bibles for every seat. Even “on every other seat” is to set in a low expectation for the “pew dweller”. It handicaps learning that goes in both in and around the chosen passage.
Annie Vallotton… my training incumbent in the 70s had some of her originals on his wall…
….though when I became a Christian in 1967 I asked my parents for a Bible as a birthday present… and then took out the full page photos as they simply got in the way!