Just to develop these thoughts a little more, why do people not carry their Bible to church but instead stare at their phone or tablet during the reading or sermon? Analogue over digital every time, plus many scientific tests have shown that reading the printed page is cognitively better.
Also, the practice of putting the text up on a screen has a similar effect.
Furthermore, the simple act of carrying your Bible to church makes a statement.
Yes! Yes! Yes! I take my Bible to church, my physical Bible with all its notes in the margins and all of its underlining! It does feel like a shield at times.
I've been reading The Shallows: what the internet is doing to our brains by Nicholas Carr. It is a fascinating read so far.
Thank you for this article. I am definitely a Luddite who carries and reads my Bible at church while almost everyone else looks at their phone or just sits and listens. I have felt it placed upon my heart lately to encourage people to read their physical (what my pastor refers to as codex) Bibles.
I don’t have a problem with using a phone as a tool in conjunction with the written Word (ex: comparing multiple translations at once, etc...) However, I do share the concerns about cognitive comprehention of what’s read digitally due to so many staring at a screen most of the day. Many studies have shown a strong correlation between anxiety and depression occurring in individuals who are addicted to their screens.
Additionally, I’m concerned about the role AI will play with the digital Word. Who’s to say that AI will not be used to manipulate God’s Word and deceive those who are not grounded in Scripture? There are already churches experimenting with chatbot AI church services.
Finally, I love the quote by Charles Spurgeon which says, “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” My codex Bible is my most prized possession. My prayer is to be able to pass it down to the next generation and for my loved ones to cherish it as much as I do.
Just to develop these thoughts a little more, why do people not carry their Bible to church but instead stare at their phone or tablet during the reading or sermon? Analogue over digital every time, plus many scientific tests have shown that reading the printed page is cognitively better.
Also, the practice of putting the text up on a screen has a similar effect.
Furthermore, the simple act of carrying your Bible to church makes a statement.
Let’s stay as Luddites.
Yes! Yes! Yes! I take my Bible to church, my physical Bible with all its notes in the margins and all of its underlining! It does feel like a shield at times.
I've been reading The Shallows: what the internet is doing to our brains by Nicholas Carr. It is a fascinating read so far.
I just ordered the book.
Thank you for this article. I am definitely a Luddite who carries and reads my Bible at church while almost everyone else looks at their phone or just sits and listens. I have felt it placed upon my heart lately to encourage people to read their physical (what my pastor refers to as codex) Bibles.
I don’t have a problem with using a phone as a tool in conjunction with the written Word (ex: comparing multiple translations at once, etc...) However, I do share the concerns about cognitive comprehention of what’s read digitally due to so many staring at a screen most of the day. Many studies have shown a strong correlation between anxiety and depression occurring in individuals who are addicted to their screens.
Additionally, I’m concerned about the role AI will play with the digital Word. Who’s to say that AI will not be used to manipulate God’s Word and deceive those who are not grounded in Scripture? There are already churches experimenting with chatbot AI church services.
Finally, I love the quote by Charles Spurgeon which says, “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” My codex Bible is my most prized possession. My prayer is to be able to pass it down to the next generation and for my loved ones to cherish it as much as I do.
Beautifully stated!
Thank you.
Woo hoo! Yeah!
Tech is designed to bait you in and then enslave you, entrapping you in lies and snares. Think it cant? THINKING YOU STAND, BEWARE LEST YOU FALL.
Listen to God and follow Him alone.
Analog in a digital world. Even Clif High mentioned that today, just before he threw all the Bibles under the bus. Interesting.