Do you bring your Bible to church?

[Zaac]

I am seeing a sad trend in that many no longer bring their Bibles to church but rely on phones and iPad's. The problem with this is that many will be texting, checking FB, watching movies, and the like while listening to a sermon. Bob Jones University made a policy in recent years against electronic Bibles in chapel's which is a very good idea. The second trend are churches that display all the Bibles verses on the screen and people no longer need to carry their Bibles.

I've said for years that I think this is dangerous especially for the next generation.

I know that some that like these trends are going to militantly defend themselves and say I am "criticizing" them or something, and which I am indeed! I do so with a valid reason and that is that people need to learn how to read the Bible for all its worth, and they need to know how to find books of the Bible without a computer as I once had to memorize Bible books. Also checking FB and the like during a sermon is not a good idea.

Agree here too.

As for me I follow leaders whom set an example. John MacArthur brings his Bible to church and does not use a electronic device to preach. I have yet to see a YouTube video of Ray Comfort open air preaching with a electronic device.

I understand the young set of preachers and using their iPads, etc. But there's just something about a pastor using a iPad or any notebook instead of anactual physical Bible that bothers me.

It comes across as a bit antiseptic and cold, void of any real, get down dirty into the word of God relationship.

When I see a pastor with his Bible, I feel as though he has spent time searching God's wordand listening to God for a word to give to His people. With notebooks/pads, I always feel like a pastor just got online and looked up a bunch of information and is now regurgitating it to me.

It just seems to detract from the personal relationship with God and His Living word.

I don't believe that to be a positive thing for this generation or the next because it opens the door for laziness where people will simply accept what is being said.

Part of worship is making a personal connection through that word. I think not bringing an actual Bible will give some an opening to grow more intrigued with technology than with God and His word.

 

[Zaac]

So what's the problem with putting Bible verses on a screen?

I don't think it's much of a problem for the older generation. We're gonna bring our Bibles even if you say to not bring them. If I'm going to God's house, I'm bringing a Bible. :laugh:

I think it's the younger generation with which we need to be careful.

We encourage people to bring their Bibles - electronic or otherwise - we also provide Bibles in the seats for people. But we also attract people who wouldn't know genesis from Revelation, much less where to find Micah. So we put them on the screen because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We want everyone to be able to see - whether they have a Bible or not - the Word of God.

Definitely. But there needs to be a balance or we're going to make a generation of very lazy Christians. I think it's already evident in the way the average Baptist Church does witnessing. Everybody wants to invite folks to church and let the pastor do the witnessing instead of doing it themselves. We need to be carful of this "we'll conveniently do it all for you" attitude.

They can HEAR the word by the pastor opening his Bible and reading it to them. :laugh:

 

[Mexdeaf]

I bring a Bible and an iPad and the words are projected also. Projected words are fantastic for pointing them out to the deaf and explaining what they mean. Most deaf do not read a printed Bible but they WILL watch the Bible in ASL.

http://www.bible.is/deaf is a great resource!

 

[annsni]

I don't think it's much of a problem for the older generation. We're gonna bring our Bibles even if you say to not bring them. If I'm going to God's house, I'm bringing a Bible. :laugh:

Has anyone said that you are not allowed to bring a Bible???

I think it's the younger generation with which we need to be careful.

We need to be careful in what way?

 

[Zaac]

I bring a Bible and an iPad and the words are projected also. Projected words are fantastic for pointing them out to the deaf and explaining what they mean. Most deaf do not read a printed Bible but they WILL watch the Bible in ASL.

http://www.bible.is/deaf is a great resource!

We've got a Deaf Ministry at our church. She is generally signing as the Scripture is being read or shown on the screen.

 

[Don]

Originally Posted by Zaac View Post
I don't think it's much of a problem for the older generation. We're gonna bring our Bibles even if you say to not bring them. If I'm going to God's house, I'm bringing a Bible.

And bringing an electronic device that has the bible on it -- be it a cell phone, tablet, or e-reader -- is not "bringing a bible"?

 

[Mexdeaf]

We've got a Deaf Ministry at our church. She is generally signing as the Scripture is being read or shown on the screen.

That's wonderful. Any idea how many of them carry a printed Bible? My experience has been that very few do- usually if they are leaders of the ministry they do, but the members do not.

And, I can almost certainly guarantee you that that is the only time the deaf "read" the Bible during the week, unless they use a video Bible (or video devotional), are more "hearing" than "deaf", or have exceptional English skills.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

I understand the young set of preachers and using their iPads, etc. But there's just something about a pastor using a iPad or any notebook instead of anactual physical Bible that bothers me.

It comes across as a bit antiseptic and cold, void of any real, get down dirty into the word of God relationship.

When I see a pastor with his Bible, I feel as though he has spent time searching God's wordand listening to God for a word to give to His people. With notebooks/pads, I always feel like a pastor just got online and looked up a bunch of information and is now regurgitating it to me.

It just seems to detract from the personal relationship with God and His Living word.

I don't believe that to be a positive thing for this generation or the next because it opens the door for laziness where people will simply accept what is being said.

Part of worship is making a personal connection through that word. I think not bringing an actual Bible will give some an opening to grow more intrigued with technology than with God and His word.

No offense, Zaac, but these are all personal perceptions that don't have any real validity outside of your own set of standards. What you feel isn't what I feel, and vice versa. I've got no problem with what form the Word is in that the teacher or pastor studied, as long as he studied.

 

[InTheLight]

So what's the problem with putting Bible verses on a screen? We encourage people to bring their Bibles - electronic or otherwise - we also provide Bibles in the seats for people. But we also attract people who wouldn't know genesis from Revelation, much less where to find Micah. So we put them on the screen because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We want everyone to be able to see - whether they have a Bible or not - the Word of God.

Exactly. I also think it's useful to put the words to the hymns up on the screen (gasp!) for those people that don't know the songs or don't want to use a paper bound hymnal book. With both the Bible verses and the hymns it causes non-participants to at least read the words.

 

[Zaac]

Has anyone said that you are not allowed to bring a Bible???

No one in charge of anything. :laugh: But you know how some folks are. They want to know why you're carrying your Bible to, for example, a night of praise and worship if the pastor isn't gonna preach. They'll say you can leave that in the car.

We need to be careful in what way?

In letting them become too dependent on somebody else doing what they should be responsible for. As I mentioned , it's like everyone inviting people to church to get the pastor to talk to them instead of them talking to them. Putting Scripture up is just another way of "we'll do it for you" when we probably really shouldn't be.

As evangelist said, I think we need to have folks opening a Bible ever opportunity we get. A real paper and bindings Bible with which they can become intimate with the words and the God of the words.

There's something about being able to look back at a Bible that you've scribbled all sorts of things in that's encouraging to the Christian walk I believe.

 

[InTheLight]

No offense, Zaac, but these are all personal perceptions that don't have any real validity outside of your own set of standards. What you feel isn't what I feel, and vice versa. I've got no problem with what form the Word is in that the teacher or pastor studied, as long as he studied.

No, here you are wrong! Zaac is the conscience and keeper of all Church-Correctedness, or CC.

 

[Ternera]

Hi everybody,
I am not really active on this board, but still, maybe my input will be useful. Although I prefer an electronic Bible to study at home and find it very convenient to use, I always bring a paper version with me when going to the church. This is not because an electronic version is not appropriate for the church, or because I am concerned about being distracted. In my opinion, it is important to be visible for the non-believers, and one of the ways to do so is going to the church with a paper version of the Bible in your hands.

 

[Zaac]

And bringing an electronic device that has the bible on it -- be it a cell phone, tablet, or e-reader -- is not "bringing a bible"?

Sure it is. I just don't think we should encourage it as opposed to a traditional Bible. Told yall I am ultra-conservative. :laugh:

 

[InTheLight]

Hi everybody,
I am not really active on this board, but still, maybe my input will be useful. Although I prefer an electronic Bible to study at home and find it very convenient to use, I always bring a paper version with me when going to the church. This is not because an electronic version is not appropriate for the church, or because I am concerned about being distracted. In my opinion, it is important to be visible for the non-believers, and one of the ways to do so is going to the church with a paper version of the Bible in your hands.

Nice post. Yes, this is one of the reasons I carry a Bible to church as well.

 

[annsni]

There's something about being able to look back at a Bible that you've scribbled all sorts of things in that's encouraging to the Christian walk I believe.

You know that you can do that on apps as well - and search on them too!! I agree that I love running into notes that I've put in my Bible but then again I know many people who refuse to write in their Bibles but will put extensive notes in their electronic Bibles.

 

[webdog]

I clicked iPad even though I loathe Apple products and use a kindle fire or Motorola tablet. I have never seen anyone use it for anything but the message, BTW.

If we are going to be that legalistic on what should be used, we need to stick with the original method of using scrolls.

 

[Don]

I clicked iPad even though I loathe Apple products and use a kindle fire or Motorola tablet. I have never seen anyone use it for anything but the message, BTW.

If we are going to be that legalistic on what should be used, we need to stick with the original method of using scrolls.

Don't think the margins are big enough to make notes on....

 

[Don]

You know that you can do that on apps as well - and search on them too!! I agree that I love running into notes that I've put in my Bible but then again I know many people who refuse to write in their Bibles but will put extensive notes in their electronic Bibles.

Bingo! The bible app I use allows me to make notes for verses, or keep a journal of particular topics where I group verses, or even work on sermon outlines...and it's interesting to go back through and click on the notes and see what I've gotten from different pastors at different churches and places.

 

[evangelist6589]

So what's the problem with putting Bible verses on a screen? We encourage people to bring their Bibles - electronic or otherwise - we also provide Bibles in the seats for people. But we also attract people who wouldn't know genesis from Revelation, much less where to find Micah. So we put them on the screen because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We want everyone to be able to see - whether they have a Bible or not - the Word of God.

And, one more part of the rant: Who cares what JM or RC do?

You are speaking about unbelievers. I was talking about believers. Pew Bibles are great for unbelievers.

 

[Don]

Sure it is. I just don't think we should encourage it as opposed to a traditional Bible. Told yall I am ultra-conservative. :laugh:

Maybe not as "ultra-conservative" as you'd like us to believe...but I'll agree that you're an "ultra-traditionalist"....:tongue3: