If you’re like me, you like to take notes in your Bible. You may even have a wide margin Bible for that very purpose. Throughout the years, however, I’ve realized there’s just not enough space in even the best wide margin Bibles to contain the information I want stored much less edit that information at times. If the Bible gets too old and falls apart, we’re left with only two options: rebind it, or copy all the saved notes into a new Bible. If there were only a better way. Well, recently, Apple revealed their latest product that I believe will change the way we study and use our Bibles.
Despite the bad reviews the Apple iPad has received since its unveiling, I believe it’s a technological breakthrough to answer several difficulties I’ve experienced in personal ministry – first and foremost being the quick access to valuable Bible resources.
There are several excellent electronic Bibles available on the internet, and I would like to showcase a few of them here.
First, there’s the ESV Online Study Bible. I plan on using this online Bible for many reasons. The ESV Bible is one of the most accurate and readable “word for word” translations. Not only is it an excellent translation, but the online version of this wonderful study Bible gives you much more wide margin space for all your valuable notes. Unlike most genuine leather bound wide margin Bibles, the ESV Online Study Bible only costs $19.95.
Second, there’s the popular YouVersion online social Bible. I’ve been using the iPhone YouVersion app since its inception, and it’s been an excellent electronic Bible with many different Bible versions and translations available. One added bonus to this app is that you can create an account on their website and socially interact with other YouVersion users. This can be a great tool for sharing your notes as well as storing them.
Third, there’s a new Bible app by the best Bible study software creator - Logos Bible Software. I haven’t tested the Logos app yet, but if it’s anything like their desktop software, I’m sure it will be the best at what it does. Since Logos Bible Software is expanding into the iPhone realm I look forward to their full Bible study suite to be made available for the iPad at some point. If this occurs, then we’ll have access to a plethora of very valuable Bible resources in one single app. This would be much better than simply using the ESV Online Study Bible, but it will have to do until Logos makes it to the iPad platform.
Finally, there has always been the e-Sword electronic Bible study software. Since full featured, paid Bible study software tends to be somewhat expensive, e-Sword.net has been the choice of free PC based Bible study software. Now, this excellent free resource is available online as e-Sword Live. Even if Logos releases an iPad version of their unbeatable Bible study software, free is still going to be hard to beat. At e-Sword Live, you have several Bible translations, commentaries, dictionaries and even lexicons available for deeper Bible study without paying for or installing anything.
So, you may not be enthused with the iPad, but this is only one reason why I can’t wait to begin using one. I’m sure there are many other uses for this great tool, and hope you’ll share them with me here as you think of them.
Matt, thanks for your website. Keep the postings up, you are a great writer. I ran across your site doing a search on Eph 4:29 and saw some good stuff! Completely agree about the Euphemisms – great point I’m going to start mentioning when led to.
Anyway, on this post about Bibles, yes I’m a wide margin Bible kind of guy. Love my ESV goatskin leather wide margin by Cambridge.
How about an update on your experience since you posted this - have you found an electronic Bible you have consistently been using and taking notes in?
I’ve tried most (Windows and Android, not ipad/ipod). Still keeping my notes in my Bible and my moleskin journal. I think the electronic solution for me will likely involve Evernote. That is my favorite app because I can synch it between my multiple pc’s and mobile devices very easily – access everywhere – find anything. That is the direction I’m heading to properly steward the truth God shows me.
Press on!