You know by now how I feel about Bible software. It’s an essential tool for Bible study. If you can navigate Facebook or check email, you can use Bible software. It’s time to rush boldly into the twenty-first century.
Think about it. We use technology for almost everything. And if you’re an adult, a lot of that technology is recent. That means there was a time you didn’t have it and used something else. That in turn means you were able to learn it and take advantage of the benefits. If you can take pictures of yourself doing embarrassing, pointless things and upload them for millions of people you don’t know to see, then you can learn how to use Bible software.
The only real trick to Bible software is discovering what you can do with it. That works two ways. Bible software can replicate what you currently do with amazing speed and visual clarity. In other words, it can help you with all the strategies you enjoy now. But Bible software can also help you get to information in ways you’ve never imagined. Old dogs can learn new tricks.
Logos Bible Software is my tool of choice. Not only does it help me with original language research, but it’s a library. I’ve already talked about original language tools and software. I want to focus on the library here.
We know what libraries and books are. But having a digital library in a software platform is like also having a research assistant. With one click you can run through thousands of volumes for a topic. Yesterday’s Bible study meant flipping a book open to see if it had an index that included the topic word you’re looking for. But what if the book doesn’t have an index? In a software environment, that isn’t an issue. Your research assistant has all your books memorized. The result is discovering help you didn’t know was available.
The danger with having supercharged tools is that they become a crutch. That can happen. People will encounter the temptation to just copy and paste what they find into their Bible study notes without analyzing the information. You pile on information without assessing the content. It’s like buying books that you never read. Remember: there is no substitute for thinking when it comes to Bible study—not even software.