Iyov points out a new site called YouVersion.com, a web 2.0 bible commentary that begs the question: do we really want to hear everyone’s opinion.
In related news, godtube.com released the virtual bible, which allows you to tie videos to verses or passages:
The immediate comparison is wikipedia, which in my mind has morphed from a suspect resource into the perfect introduction to just about everything.
Both Youversion and Godtube are trying to add value to the bible by giving power to the masses—the connected masses—to offer their personal take on things. Both are going to have to deal with an inevitable deluge of miscellaneous and erroneous comments.
Is this an area better left for pastors and professors? Has anyone posted on either site? Has anyone used this site to gain a better understanding of the bible? Other thoughts?
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January 30, 2008 at 19:12
Isn’t the Emergent church founded on the premise that a church member can bring whatever interpretation they want to the Bible, so long as the claim to respect scripture? That’s where the “conversation” comes in right? That is gist of the universalist appeal I hear from McLaren and Pagitt, et al.
So if we’re going to legitimize willy-nilly theology, in the interest of “making God’s dreams for the world come true”, why not endorse these tools as valid?
January 31, 2008 at 08:36
I think this can generate a believer that doesn’t look to the Bible first. Looking at commentaries or similar items that were interpreted by devout believers who spent much time in the word is one thing, but to rely on the equivalent of 10 kids sitting in a circle and whispering a secret in each others ear you’ll still get a watered down version of what was said. The original truth could become so garbled that at the end you are left with only a shell of what God originally spoke in His word.
February 1, 2008 at 00:25
I often compare non-believer’s (and even a few believers’) comments regarding what the Bible teaches to a student who bases his evaluation of Shakespeare on the Cliff Notes for Romeo and Juliet. The caution being that if you want to be a “critic” you need to be able to site the original source, not a third party evaluation—even a favorable one. I have no problem with the sites if it opens discussion and points people to the Real Deal. Christians [and non-Christians] who use them need to keep a Bible close at hand….
February 3, 2008 at 20:04
Sometimes just the planting of a seed is enough. God will use all sorts of ways to reach us. Those who are seeking will look further and find. Discussion is good. There are a number of examples of people some of them scientists who have become believers because they sought after a way to puuil Gods word apart. I say go for it. We have to give the Holy Spirit some credit for HIs guidance and wisdom in doing so.