My dissertation explained

Reading the Bible

In this series by SISTAD* students, Major Sarah King tells us about the theme of her Master of Theology dissertation: ‘How might a digital Bible be read differently from a printed Bible?’

DOES the format we read the Bible in really matter? I researched three different aspects of this question and discussed my results with cadets from William Booth College.

Is there a difference between reading digitally and reading printed books? It turns out that there is.

Research shows that we process information differently if we read it in print or on a screen. Generally speaking, we tend to skim-read digital documents and we have more difficulty processing the information we read. We can also be more easily distracted, if we haven’t disabled notifications on our reading device. We find it harder to know where we are in a book we read on screen, as we lack the physical clues we get in holding a printed copy.

It’s not all bad, though, as digital reading can be very effective for short documents. So researchers have called for ‘bilingual reading’, suggesting that we read print books when we need to concentrate and use digital for speedier or less important tasks.

So how does this relate to the Bible? The cadets I interviewed were quick to confirm what I’d learnt – for example, that digital Bibles are really convenient. In one app or website you have access to multiple translations in hundreds of languages. There’s a search function, so you can quickly find what you are looking for. You don’t have to lug a heavy Bible around if you have a phone in your pocket. Digital Bibles often have built-in reading plans, and can even be set to send you reminders to read!

Apps can also be accessible for people with visual impairments or specific learning difficulties as there’s often an audio version available and you can change font sizes easily. However, as one cadet pointed out, you have to be able to afford a smartphone or a laptop to do all this.

Even taking convenience into account, no cadet wanted to be without their print Bible. There is just something about having your own copy, in physical form, that you know your way around! A print Bible helps you see the whole breadth of Scripture at a glance, whereas with an app you generally only see a few verses at a time. Put bluntly, you might never read Obadiah, but in a print Bible you know the book is there and has a place in the canon!

Research indicates that the cadets are not alone; a large majority of Bible readers like digital Bibles, but don’t want to abandon print. In theory at least, we use the format most suitable for the purpose at hand. However, we do need to be aware that the format we use to read the Bible might change the way we read it. In order to read it well, we need to ask ourselves how the Bible itself wants to be read.

The Bible calls us to treasure God’s word, to meditate, or think deeply about it (see Psalm 119), to make it part of everyday life (see Deuteronomy 4:5–14; Colossians 3:16). We don’t do this just to gain information but to know God and be transformed by him, our lives shaped by Scripture (see Deuteronomy 6:1–8; Matthew 5:19; James 1:22).

But here’s the thing: the Bible doesn’t often tell us to read it – instead we are told to listen.

This isn’t surprising given that, for most of history, most people couldn’t read. So listening isn’t a second-class option, which should be a huge relief for people who struggle with reading. That’s where digital Bibles can really help with their audio versions. For some people I know, this has transformed their access to Scripture.

But if we are readers, as many of us are, then we need to think about how we read. Which format, digital or print, helps us treasure God’s word? Which format helps us to think deeply about Scripture? Which format helps us to make Bible reading part of our daily lives and make it contribute to our spiritual transformation?

My conclusion: embrace all the convenience of a digital Bible, but don’t neglect the print Bible on your bookshelf.

*SISTAD is the territory’s School for In-Service Training and Development, which provides courses for officers and employees, plus open learning courses for everyone; visit salvationarmy.org. uk/SISTAD for details

MAJOR SARAH KING

Training Co-ordinator (Learning Support) William Booth College