It has
been reported recently in Christianity today that Chinese are finding more
difficult to get a print Bible. Bible is not welcome by many people and
organizations, not just in China, but even in some part of India too. Years
ago, one young boy from our fellowship narrated me how his parent thrashed him
for possessing a Bible. Why are some people so hostile and antagonistic to the Bible? We know it is because they misunderstood the Faith of Christianity and
the Nature of Bible.
Many hate
Christian activities because they thought we are trying to convert them as if
we can convert anyone anytime. On the contrary, we, Christian know that we
cannot convert anyone, nor do we try. Conversion is a gracious act of God. Yes,
we long for everybody’s conversion, not because we want to be the majority in
world religions, but because we want them to be Saved from the coming judgment
of God. What we do and all that we can do is to present the gospel to them, and
give answers to their doubts. The gospel we have received, and believed, and
that we present to others does not come from any culture or philosophy. Neither
an invention nor development of anyone. The Gospel that saves, comes from God and is revealed perfectly in the Bible. That’s the reason why we value Bible so
much.
However,
Bible is not just about the Gospel that saves. It is the daily bread and living
water for Christian. To be a Christian and not read the Bible is an oxymoron.
Psalmist says in Psalm 119:105 “Your
word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” We need
Bible all the times at all places. It is imperative that we (who are in the free
country) possess a print Bible, but it looks difficult for our brothers and
sister in hostile places. So, in the providence of God, technology can come to
our aid through the internet, computer, and phone. According to InternetWorld Stats, China and India are the top internet user countries,
higher than even USA. Cheer up! Brothers and Sisters!
Thanks be
to God! Bible is available online. It is available even offline through Bible Software
for Computer and Bible App for Smartphone. Anybody with a computer or phone
can access Bible easily now. We no longer have any excuses for not reading the bible. In fact, there are lots that one wonders what will benefit us more. Today
I would like to recommend Bible Software for Computer. (Next time BibleApp for Smartphone.)
For Computer:
I have 4
Bible Softwares on my laptop: Logos 7 (Bronze), BibleWorks 7, theWord 5, and e-sword. The first
two are expensive and the latter two are free of cost. Many Bible students and
teachers usually recommend expensive Bible Softwares.
However, I
am glad to recommend free software theWord to all. I am not an expert in any of
these Bible Softwares I have been using. So, my recommendation is purely based
on my experience.
Top 4 Reasons why I recommend theWord Bible Software.
1.
It is a free Bible
Software (Logos and BibleWorks are expensive). Also, you may want to click here
2.
One can install other
modules freely (also modules from the third party), which in other Softwares
programs could cost thousands of dollar (eg. ICCNT). For all the available modules Click here
3.
It has a wonderful yet easy
layout. (I know this is an issue of preference, but I challenge you to explore
the layout).
4.
It has
clipboard-monitoring feature. This feature allows you to read any files (word,
pdf, etc.) that have scriptural reference without going back to software. You
just have to run the software in the background, and copy the scripture reference
whenever you encounter it.
In fact,
I always open theWord Bible Softwares mainly because of the 4th
Reason (clipboard-monitoring feature). I have not seen such feature in the
other 3 (if you happen to know, please tell me too). In addition, I open my
Logos and BibleWorks in my studies because I have purchased-Resources in them,
which I have not bought in theWord Softwares. I have uninstalled e-sword from
my laptop just because my laptop cannot bear too many Softwares. Btw, if you are rich, you are encouraged to
try other Bible Software in addition to theWord.
I trust that your Bible study
will be more effective from now onwards.
R. Solomon