The key to victorious Christian living (a.k.a fruitfulness) has never been an overload of information, but obedience.
I pity those who will buy this thinking that (like that new year's resolution gym membership card sitting in the draw untouched since mid-January), it will sort out their perceived/actual spiritual deficiencies.
The problem is deeper than we realise, but the grace available to us through Jesus Christ in our dire need is beyond our wildest imagination.
The solution is simple. If only we (I) would believe it.
In the Digital age, just like every other age, the answer isn't information, it's revelation - of Jesus Christ.
I pity those who will buy this thinking that (like that new year's resolution gym membership card sitting in the draw untouched since mid-January), it will sort out their perceived/actual spiritual deficiencies.
The problem is deeper than we realise, but the grace available to us through Jesus Christ in our dire need is beyond our wildest imagination.
The solution is simple. If only we (I) would believe it.
In the Digital age, just like every other age, the answer isn't information, it's revelation - of Jesus Christ.
6 comments:
your right that the increase in knowledge of the bible doesnt equate to spiritual growth - and the idea that this product promises exactly that in its own advert is really misleading and a bit sickening.
saying that, i still think it looks like a good idea for those that perhaps like things uber-organised, those that cant read (or dont like to), or those that have a flair for technology. and in some way that might engage more people (esp. men) to start looking at the bible for the first time.
possibly for existing bible readers, it might seem that "if it aint broke...", but for non christians who start off assuming that the bible's broke already, they might prefer looking at the evidence through multimedia, where they might have been put off by a barrage of words before. It depends, however, on how well the technology is able to convey the message of the bible. If it doesnt do that, then its worse than a gimmick.
I don't have a problem with digital resources.
However, some things on their website would make me hesitant to buy this.
"Not only can users see the Bible, rather than just reading it, they can find ways the Bible applies to their everyday lives" - Press Release
No, the Bible is a book, not a video. It can only be read or heard, it cannot be seen. Pictures may help us imagine what things were like, but that is not the same as "seeing the Bible".
"Glo makes it easy to read the Bible every day" -- Spiritual Home Base
I remember having a Youth Bible, and finding it easy to read the real life stories and not the actual Bible. I expect the same could occur here. Having lots of interactive media about the Bible is not the same as reading (or hearing) the words of God themselves.
Another thing that is strange is the lack of respected Bible teachers who have endorsed it, compare the ESV Study Bible for instance. I am not going to pay $89.99 for study notes without endorsements.
Imagine if Wesley or Whitfield has owned one of these. They would have really been able to make a difference
At root, I don't have a problem with bible software, I have owned it in the past.
My nervousness about things like this is that it panders to our belief that every solution can be bought. I can pay a specialist to do the work for me so that I don't have to or at least I don't have to work as hard.
In the evangelical world we are quite good at telling people that they can't buy their salvation. We don't, however, seem to be as good at telling them that they can't buy spiritual growth either (Gal 3:1-6). Be it on the conference circuit or anywhere else.
I make that comment to myself first. I'm often too quick to look anywhere but Jesus.
I just want to be controversial and call you a nervous luddite! ;-)
Loving your blogs as always, keep up the thought provoking work!
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