Should we use a printed Bible or a Digital Bible?

There are certain people who think that the printed Bible is Holy and therefore it should only be used in that form. The digital form of Bible when used in phones cannot be called as holy and it is not as effective as the printed Bible. When we use digital Bible in the Church, meetings, personal reading etc we get distracted by notifications, messages etc and therefore using digital Bible is not a correct and proper choice. You can also mark your favorite passages and keep short notes in the printed Bible. 

On the other hand, there are certain people who think that digital Bible is free to download, can be easily shared with others, can be carried anywhere, it can be used anywhere without any problem. Therefore, it’s a better option than the printed Bible which is often bulky in size and it’s not practically possible to carry it everywhere.

These arguments have led people to categorize people as holy & unholy, mature & immature, good & bad etc just on the fact that people use a printed version or a digital version of the Bible.

Here are few thoughts on this issue….

First of all, the printed version Bible what we have today was never in that form from the beginning. It wa​​s first inscribed by God on stone, was kept in the Ark of the Covenant and the Israelites were commanded to put the Word of God in their heart.

Secondly, with the addition of Mosaic Laws, Writings of the Prophets, Psalms, Wisdom Books etc. they were written on skins and papyrus which were then saved as scrolls.

Thirdly, even in the early Church the use of Mosaic Laws, Prophetical writings and later the Epistles and Gospel writings were preserved in form of scrolls. Until 5th century there was no concept of proper canons when the books were canonized.

            The important aspect throughout this time was never about carrying the scriptures in some written format like scrolls, but it was about having the Word of God in the heart. Deut. 4:9, Prov. 6:21, Psalms 119:11. All the scrolls were preserved in sacred places and were used for worship and for references during various occasions.

With time and development of science & technology the printed form of the Word of God has been developed and we have the privilege to use it today. To carry the printed version of the Bible while going to the Church, preaching the Word, using it during various meetings or keeping in the self does not necessarily make a person a follower of the Word of God. At the same time using a digital form doesn't make a person an unbeliever & unholy.

A person can carry the Bible, read the Bible yet may not follow the Bible. A person who uses a digital version cannot be necessarily branded as an unholy & disobedient Christian.

We never thought time will come, we will have online prayer services, worships through digital medium, online teaching, preaching and fellowship. We must remember that the form will change, but our purpose must not change. Each one of must prayerfully, thoughtfully decide how best he can use the available resources whether printed or digital for his own edification and spiritual growth.

Amen!

Pastor Monish Mitra

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