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The future of printed Bibles as affected by electronic Bibles

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by jprieto, May 4, 2012.

  1. jprieto

    jprieto New Member

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    The use of electronic Bibles is on a fast increase.

    This worries me a lot.

    Bible publishers are able to afford donating Bibles to persons in countries where they have no internet access, or knowledge thereof. Most dollar stores now carry them very cheaply.

    But I worry that if people stop buying printed bibles, that soon bible publishers won't make them any more due to lack of sale. And this will make witnessing more difficult.

    People in hospitals, elderly homes, prisons, secret churches in hostile countries, and other places may no longer be able to receive printed Bibles.

    In support of bible publishers, and also because i give so many away, i am constantly buying printed bibles. I make it my ministry to also support printed bible publishers.

    What say you?
     
    #1 jprieto, May 4, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2012
  2. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Printed books will never go out of style. Even with electronic book media, I don't see books ever stopping being printed. But I believe that the advent of electronic Bibles will do the complete opposite of what you are saying - it will instead allow many more people to get Bibles in their hands.
     
  3. jprieto

    jprieto New Member

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  4. RG2

    RG2 Member
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    I do have to say while that might be a concern, I also believe the technology has allowed groups like Faith Comes by Hearing to distribute electronic copies of the bible in 640 different languages.

    With mp3 players becoming cheaper and cheaper and smaller and smaller I believe it's becoming easier to ship thousands of mp3 players with the bible on it than it is to ship thousands of bibles. Also speaking about churches in hostile countries, having an mp3 players is less of a security risk than having bibles around. Plus these mp3 players allow the bible to be accessed by illiterate people and people groups that have no written language.

    Edit: (Sorry you, jprieto, replied before I finished typing my post). To the comment that there are a lot of places that don't have eReader or internet that is true. I've seen many projects that are distributing solar powered radio/mp3 type players that actually allow whole villages to hear the bible at one time. In some places they are parachuting these items in because of the hostile nature of some of these countries.

    However with all that, as annsni said I don't think the world is going to get rid of books any time soon.
     
    #4 RG2, May 4, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2012
  5. jprieto

    jprieto New Member

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    well, thats comforting

    my concern was due to there are many great services, products, and companies that are no longer around due to low sales.

    im in favor of scripture in electronic devices and in mp3 players

    nevertheless, the printed word should be encouraged as much as possible, no other means gives greater benefit than manual marking and highlighting that need not electricity nor battery charge

    its natural
    nothing to get in the way
    something spiritual about it
    its what has given us moody and spurgeon and others like them

    so i just wanted to know if anyone else worried that the production of printed bibles will decrease due to electronic version of the bible

    Amazon.com is on a mission to rid of printed material (more profit for them) and they encourage customers to let publishers who do not have an electronic version of their books to create one

    guess that time will tell
    we'll see
     
  6. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Yet just recently I was talking to a pastor who went into a country hostile to the Gospel and he was able to bring electronic Bibles into the country easily ans pass it on to the pastors there who then can easily pass it on as well. No, electronic media won't work for my friend in the Congo where they need hard copies but for this other missionary, it has made a difference in at least 200 lives in the last few weeks.
     
  7. glazer1972

    glazer1972 Member

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    I don't think printed books will go away anytime real soon.
     
  8. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    When you preach its 50 times easier to use a printed Bible than a dinky screen on a iphone. Also study Bibles are far better in print.
     
  9. RG2

    RG2 Member
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    While I have to agree it's better to have a bible than read it off an iPhone, I have to say the bibles I have on my iPad are sometime eaiser to use, take up less space, and have a lot more resources available.
     
    #9 RG2, May 7, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2012
  10. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Amen! I have my devotions that I do in the morning set up on a larger font because I can't see well when I first wake up in the morning. :) And as you said, they take up a LOT less space!
     
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