Should we use smart phone to read Bible?

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butbi9x

Guest
#1
#1
Hi brothers and sisters, today smart phone is very popular. I've been using SmartBible App on my phone to read bible, research biblical places and figures. I think it is very useful for me, when I'm in the Church, I use SmartBible to take notes quickly. Someone think we should not use smart phone in the Church even we are reading bible.

What do you think?

This is the SmartBible that I am using
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=smart.bible.free.kjv
 
posthuman

posthuman

Senior Member
#2
Jul 31, 2013
36,666
13,128
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#2
i don't see anything wrong with it at all -- it's just a tool, a method of recording and retrieving data, and in that respect not different than paper and ink.

maybe there is someone out there who thinks it's wrong to use anything but papyrus on a scroll -- but i've never met someone like that.

the danger is being distracted by all the other gizmos & apps on a phone or whatever device, instead of focusing on the message of the scripture. i think that same pitfall is present no matter what.

i read from an actual leather-bound physical bible when i'm in a church building. i also access the scriptures on a computer both on and off-line when it's convenient (like right now) -- and i don't have a "smart phone" but i do have a KJV bible loaded onto my "dumb phone" (hey it's not so dumb as you think haha) and i read from it quite a lot, because unlike the internet, a computer, or a physical book, i carry my phone around with me all over the place.

 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#3
Nov 24, 2012
30,706
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#3
I prefer a tablet to a phone but there are plenty of good apps for each and for different purposes.
One draw back I've noticed using bible apps is that my brain is not being exercised in remembering where a certain passage is.
Just click on a link and voila!
 
4enlightment

4enlightment

Banned
#4
May 15, 2013
4,307
27
0
#4
butbi9x said:
Hi brothers and sisters, today smart phone is very popular. I've been using SmartBible App on my phone to read bible, research biblical places and figures. I think it is very useful for me, when I'm in the Church, I use SmartBible to take notes quickly. Someone think we should not use smart phone in the Church even we are reading bible.

What do you think?

This is the SmartBible that I am using
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=smart.bible.free.kjv
Click to expand...
I'm guessing that we should use stone tablets and scrolls that are made out of papyrus like the ancient people had did? Just imagine carrying a stack of stone tablets to Sunday school.
 
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sacraig67

Senior Member
#5
Aug 17, 2014
455
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#5
I see no problem with using a smart phone. For one you have access to every translation of the Bible instantly. After saying all that I use book form. It's just what I am used too. Every time I try to highlight or underline using a phone or tablet I have all these marks on the screen lol
 
posthuman

posthuman

Senior Member
#6
Jul 31, 2013
36,666
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#6
sacraig67 said:
I see no problem with using a smart phone. For one you have access to every translation of the Bible instantly. After saying all that I use book form. It's just what I am used too. Every time I try to highlight or underline using a phone or tablet I have all these marks on the screen lol
Click to expand...

yes!
every time i try to put a bookmark on my phone it falls off onto the ground =\

:D
 
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sacraig67

Senior Member
#7
Aug 17, 2014
455
8
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#7
Haha I haven't tried the bookmark yet
 
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jjtj22

Guest
#8
#8
I agree with all the cons listed distractions, not helping memorize scripture placement, another is that people don't see me sitting with a Bible in my hands when I read or see me bringing a Bible to church. Some of the pros of tablet (phone) is the ability to quickly switch between versions, you can set a reminder to read, having a variety of reading plans available, ability to play Bible out loud.
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#9
Nov 24, 2012
30,706
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#9
jjtj22 said:
I agree with all the cons listed distractions, not helping memorize scripture placement, another is that people don't see me sitting with a Bible in my hands when I read or see me bringing a Bible to church. Some of the pros of tablet (phone) is the ability to quickly switch between versions, you can set a reminder to read, having a variety of reading plans available, ability to play Bible out loud.
Click to expand...
Yeah and if you have headphones you can listen to the bible while the pastor shows his latest vids of him suffering in Hawaii. (uh oh, I'm starting to sound like Yet).
 
posthuman

posthuman

Senior Member
#10
Jul 31, 2013
36,666
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#10
crossnote said:
Yeah and if you have headphones you can listen to the bible while the pastor shows his latest vids of him suffering in Hawaii. (uh oh, I'm starting to sound like Yet).
Click to expand...
haha yesterday the pastor at church complained mightily to us about repeatedly locking his keys in his car, getting a flat tire and other automotive difficulty :D

but he used all that as an object lesson for us about troubles we encounter when we try to do God's work.
 
K

kennethcadwell

Guest
#11
#11
There is nothing wrong with using modern day technology to read, learn, and even spreading God's word.

The only thing I can say against it would be that Jesus said we are not to hide our faith. We are to show openly that we are followers of Jesus Christ.

If you are using a smart phone or tablet in church, unless you are asked other members may see you doing it and get the wrong impression that you are doing something other than worshipping God.
Plus in public if you are not carrying a bible, wearing a cross, or even talking to others about the word of God nobody would even know where you stand.

We are to show and openly profess that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.
 
D

didymos

Guest
#12
#12
butbi9x said:
(...)Someone think we should not use smart phone in the Church even we are reading bible. (...)
Click to expand...
Hey, even Moses used tablets, so why not? ;)
 
posthuman

posthuman

Senior Member
#13
Jul 31, 2013
36,666
13,128
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#13
kennethcadwell said:
There is nothing wrong with using modern day technology to read, learn, and even spreading God's word.

The only thing I can say against it would be that Jesus said we are not to hide our faith. We are to show openly that we are followers of Jesus Christ.

If you are using a smart phone or tablet in church, unless you are asked other members may see you doing it and get the wrong impression that you are doing something other than worshipping God.
Plus in public if you are not carrying a bible, wearing a cross, or even talking to others about the word of God nobody would even know where you stand.

We are to show and openly profess that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.
Click to expand...
there is that, and there is also that we should be careful not to do our work for men to see, but for the Lord

not to say that wearing a cross or toting a bible is wrong, but that it's not the primary point :)
 
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sacraig67

Senior Member
#14
Aug 17, 2014
455
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#14
Think of this also..If we are using a phone or tablet to minister on the street we have access to every translation if someone doesn't understand a certain translation. For me that would be about 10 pounds of Bibles.
 
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kennethcadwell

Guest
#15
#15
posthuman said:
there is that, and there is also that we should be careful not to do our work for men to see, but for the Lord

not to say that wearing a cross or toting a bible is wrong, but that it's not the primary point :)
Click to expand...
This about not doing works in front of men to see, is intended for those who do for the purpose the they intend to get gratitude for doing it.

If you give, do it in secret, so that you do not expect something in return.

People do good things, but then get mad if they are not given something, helped, or given thanks or praise in return.

Jesus says not to expect anything in return, because true love does things without self gratification.
 
Bushido8000

Bushido8000

Banned
#16
Jan 24, 2012
1,299
15
0
#16
Yes...Yes you should use your smartphone. Why not?
 
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sacraig67

Senior Member
#17
Aug 17, 2014
455
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0
#17
I think post human was misunderstood. Actually saying that we shouldn't carry a Bible just so we are recognized. Saying it's fine if you do its fine if you dont.
 
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skipp

Senior Member
#19
Mar 6, 2014
654
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#19
I like reading the Bible on my kindle and iPad. I still use the old fashioned paper ones too. ;)

I'm not big though on the idea of using a Smartphone Bible App in Church. I can see people starting off with good intentions and then deciding to just take a second to check their email or Facebook and then getting easily distracted.
 
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kcar

Guest
#20
#20
I don't think there is anything wrong with using a smart phone or a tablet. But probably not the best idea to use it exclusively. It is a lot more feasible for the texts to be changed on an bible that is downloaded or whatever. It could happen.

However, it is a very excellent and useful tool. :)
 
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