Is it wrong to project any Bible text on overhead screens during service?

My pastor preaches out of the NASB, and it's on two (t.v.) screens. The NASB is my preference, so it fits well with me.

It especially came in handy recently when I lost my bible. I couldn't remember if I left it at the church building, or I had misplaced it at home....

But really, we've got an exceptional rate of people who bring a bible, follow along, make notes, etc.

We have somewhere around 30 adults, and I think about 25 actively engage with the scriptures during service.

And there are at least 6 different translations represented. Haven't heard anyone mention the screens one way or another

 

Would rather not have to leaf through a bulky volume resting on my lap while listening to a sermon.

 

While it is convenient, there is something uncomfortable about taking something so worthy and putting it on something so temporary, able to be changed in an instant with nobody to catch it or say it was changed and thus an ability to be abused, able to be lost with a power outage.

It does make me a little sad.

 

By projecting Bible verses on a screen it forces disinterested people to look at the word of God.

As to it being lost in a power outage:

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.

Your objection is silly.

 

If people are to lazy to open their bible and read scripture stay at home. A remote for the lazy TV watchers now a big screen for the lazy church members.

 

I get it, I understand.

If you don't bring your Bible with you, and it better be KJV... we don't want you at our church.

If you're a man and you don't wear a tie...we don't want you at our church.

If you wear shorts... we don't want you at our church.

If you're a woman and you wear pants...we don't want you at our church.

If you have a beer now and again.... we don't want you at our church.

If you're a man with longer hair.... we don't want you at our church.

If you're a woman with a hemline more than 2" above your knee... we don't want you at our church.

If you go to the movies....we don't want you at our church.

If you've ever bought a lottery ticket... we don't want you at our church.

Did I miss anything?

 

Much of this is preference. It is my preference that each church member bring their bible; whether it is in printed form or digital (Kindle, iPad, Android tablet etc.). There is systemic problem of biblical illiteracy in our churches today. I think of what the prophet Amos wrote:

Amos 8:11-12 11 "Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord GOD, "When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD. 12 "People will stagger from sea to sea And from the north even to the east; They will go to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, But they will not find it."

In Israel's case their famine for hearing the words of the Lord was due to their repeated disobedience and hardness of heart (Amos 8:4).

I want my church members to go to the passages on their own. I want them to become biblically literate, as well as biblically obedient.

I am not anti-technology. If church members want to use the tablet of their choice instead of a printed bible, that is fine. I am also not against projecting media on a screen. Good judgment must temper all things.

As far as bible versions, I preach from the NAS. It is not required that others use my preferred version, although many find it helpful to do so for the sake of continuity.

 

What's good is that these corporations require explicit ID of their products when used this way -- makes it hard to slip in MVs unawares:thumbs:


http://www.harpercollinschristian.com/permissions/ (NIV and NKJV)

http://www.tyndale.com/00_home/permissions.php (NLT)

 

"While it is convenient, there is something uncomfortable about taking something so worthy and putting it on something so temporary, able to be changed in an instant with nobody to catch it or say it was changed and thus an ability to be abused, able to be lost with a power outage.

It does make me a little sad."

Gina B..., how true..., how true!!!

Should the power go off there goes the electric guitar and the Sam's Club Keyboard and the electronic sax. Included will be the loss of any rhythm section with sounds generated from another electronic device.

There won't be any singing as there are no song books and the words can't otherwise be flashed on the wall. There will be a lot of "humming" as the folks don't know the words. (Speaking of humming..., you know why Humming Bird's hum? They don't know the words!)

Then, without a wireless microphone and accompanying sound system amplifier the sermon can't be delivered.

Oh my!?!? What's a congregation to do should the power go out?

For sure, I'll bet the Lord is really pleased with today's technology. The old way was such a burden.

Back when our grand kids were smaller the phone rang one day. The kids went nuts running around the house trying to find the "Wireless Remote Phone". They couldn't find it..., panic set in..., and fear gripped all of 'em. No one could find the phone!!!

...in the meantime I picked up the receiver on that old time phone hanging on the wall and said, "Hello".

Makes one wonder how the likes of Oliver Green ever got a message across during his Tent Meetings.

 

The phrase "Should the power go off" reminds me of Charles H. Spurgeon. He was preaching a prepared sermon of course, when all of a sudden the oil lamps went dark. CHS spoke extemporaneously on a particularly suitable subject with direct application as if if it was planned. I forget the name of that message delivered under unusual circumstances.