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Past Imperfect
How the Physical Form of a Bible Shapes Us
Family Bibles also acquired value as a status marker for the middle class. Displayed on a stand in the family parlor, they were the sacred equivalent of the parlor piano or the installment-plan encyclopedia set. But placing the family Bible at the physical center of the idealized American home also helped entrench the Puritan ideal of the family as the main training ground in Christian living.
My parents inherited a large family Bible from my grandparents. It was leather bound and weighed a ton. In addition to pages for our family history, it had illustrations and special sections on Bible animals and plants and a paraphrase of Bible history.
Our family Bible was not just holy; it was also holey. As a boy, one of my uncles needed pictures for a school project and took a scissors to the family Bible. In slicing up the family Bible, my uncle had attacked the family rectitude, respectability, and religion. My mother, who was supposed to supervise her younger brothers, got what for from her mother.
Today, many of us use Bibles with no physical properties of their own. They borrow their frame from computers, iPads, and smartphones—also markers of middle class existence—but created for individual use. Will this digital revolution cement the decline of family spirituality that was once fostered by the family Bible? God knows.
Copyright © 2012 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
Related Elsewhere:
Previous "Past Imperfect" columns by David Neff include:
Our Secret African Heritage | How we can remember our big family history. (November 23, 2011)
Criminalizing Circumcision| We have secularized the ancient Jewish rite—but it is still inescapably religious. (August 29, 2011)
A Second-Coming Christian | The 'blessed hope' was the linchpin of my father's faith. (July 18, 2011)
Remember the Red Sea | Why not capitalize on the richness and mystery of our ancient symbols? (May 19, 2011)
Dwelling in Heaven's Suburbs | Creating a culture of resurrection is key to full-orbed ministry. (September 28, 2010)
Past Imperfect
David Neff
David Neff is editor in chief of Christianity Today, where he has worked since 1985. He is also the former editor in chief of Christian History magazine, and continues to explore the intersection of history and current events in his bimonthly column, "Past Imperfect." His earlier column, "Editor's Bookshelf," ran from 2002 to 2004 and paired Neff's reviews of thought-provoking books and interviews with the authors.
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@neverinside
I'm thankful that it's easier than ever to immerse ourselves in God's word. From a missions standpoint, I imagine "smuggling" e-bibles to "closed" countries is easier than moving around the mass of traditionally bound bibles. On the other hand, I wonder how the personal consumption of audio bibles is effecting family spirituality. Claiming one's commute while listening to audio bibles and sermon podcast has benefited my spirituality. Owning multiple versions of the Bible on my iTouch / iPhone allows me to read the word virtually anywhere, even while on a bathroom break at work. I'm just sayin' ;-) Utilizing new mediums to get into the word has positive attributes, yet I'd rather break open my hard cover ESV or NIV study bible over a digital format any day. It's a bit harder toting a large bible around though.
Robin Westerfield
My son is an IT type, so obviously he uses every media available. Still, he observes it is often less distracting to read from a bound copy, whether the Bible or Calvin's Institutes. He and his wife have a story Bible for children to read to their 4 year old at bedtime. There has to be a stability, a sense of togetherness and comfort, a sense of the presence of the Lord in hearing those beautiful stories read gently to the little guy by his dad every night from that book....no distractions, just the Word of God written so he can understand.
Steve Ngugi
God clearly is more interested in His people having His Word in their minds and hearts than on any external medium. God is more pleased with the person who is internalizing the Word of God using whatever medium, than the person who has the medium (family bible, electronic versions, etc.) but who is not internalizing His word. It matters not whether I have a dozen translations on my tablet or computer, or a beautiful family Bible on my living room mantelpiece: what matters is whether God’s word is increasingly finding a home in my heart, and thus shaping my character and life. Thank you for stimulating reflection on this matter. [Post 2 of 2]