Does the medium matter?
Does it matter whether I read my paper Bible or a digital Bible? Does God’s inspiration guarantee transformative power regardless of the medium?
When Job wanted the words “I know that my redeemer lives” to be remembered for generations, he requested that his words be engraved in the medium stone and not in the sand (Job 19). His choice adds a lot of weight to his words.
Jesus taught that God’s word does not have an equal opportunity in every medium! The quality of the soil makes a significant difference (Matthew 13). Jesus warned that hungry birds, a scorching sun, thorns, shallow roots, trouble, persecution, and worries of life can all affect the fruitfulness of God’s word.
Digital medium has changed how we read! The volume of text to read online continues to increase at phenomenal rates. Users adapt to the flood-level torrent of information by learning to scan through large volumes of data in the search for pertinent information. In the face of information overload a slow
read over every digital word is impossible. If we were to diligently click on each link and read the full text … that would be CRAZY.
In response to our evolving digital environment, many of us have modified our reading habits. Consequently, numerous individuals who once cherished reading now report a diminished capacity to engage with lengthy texts across various mediums, as well as a decline in the enjoyment derived from leisure reading. According to the American Time Use Survey from May to December of 2019 and 2020, individuals aged 15 to 44 devote less than 12 minutes per day to reading for pleasure, with those in the 20 to 24 age bracket spending a mere six minutes. Many readers also note challenges in maintaining focus and concentration on extended or complex texts. As Nicholas Carr articulates, “I was previously a deep diver into a sea of words. Now I zip through information on a jet ski.”
Skimming versus reading
A study conducted by the Nielsen Norman Group analyzed 50,000 page views undertaken by European professionals. The findings reveal a startling difference in reading speed: while the average power browser can scan up to 100 words in 4.4 seconds, they can only truly read 18 words within the same time frame. This discrepancy highlights the distinction between skimming through content and immersing oneself deeply into the text, the latter being a more engaging and rewarding experience. The study suggests that the 18 words aren’t genuinely being “read” and understood during these rapid 4.4-second skimming sessions. Skimming leads to a state of overstimulation, fatigue and distraction. This sense of weariness and distraction is further exacerbated as the average office worker spends approximately three hours devoted to work-related emails and two hours to personal ones, according to a 2019 Adobe Email Usage study.
Our new skimming skills are affecting our engagement with the written word across all mediums. We’re at risk of losing our ability to absorb the profound text of the Bible in a way that is meditative and contemplative.
I am convinced that the increasing reliance on power browsing is leading to a decline in contemplative reading skills. We are perfecting our rapid reading at the expense of depth and understanding. We need to re-cultivate and preserve the cognitive processes that support slow, meditative reading. Engaging with texts, especially sacred ones, in a thoughtful manner is not just beneficial but an endeavor worth committing to for it promises a richer understanding and connection with the divine word. In fact, it is an expression of obedience.
Distractions include bells, whistles, beeps…
Our daily lives are polluted with distractions. God commanded that we rule over his creation, but we seem unable to exert control over the digital disturbances that incessantly tug at our focus. The Nielsen Company report shows how dominating digital distractions have become. The typical American teenager sends six texts every waking hour. Furthermore, 95% of texts receive responses within five minutes. The data underscores our collective entanglement with and subjugation to the relentless flow of digital notifications and messages, undermining our capacity for sustained, deep attention. When we use any digital medium we are plunged into an ecosystem of interruption technologies. When our phone is in our hand or close by, the number of distraction options is greatly increased. Some of the distraction is in the form of bells, whistles, beeps, notifications, chats, and vibrations.
Adrian Ward, from the University of Texas at Austin, asked 500 undergraduates to put their phones on airplane mode. One group left the phones in another room, one group kept the phone in the backpack or pocket and the last group had the phone on the desk, face down. The students with the phones face down did the worst on the tests. Those with the phone in another room did the best. Study summary: The integration of smartphones into daily life appears to diminish learning, logical reasoning, abstract thought, problem solving, and creativity. The phones (even on airplane mode) constantly tug at our
attention, diverting precious cognitive resources.
Bible apps are wonderful for those who have no alternative access to God’s word. But reading the Bible on an app also has disadvantages. Everything on our phones is tugging for our attention and decreasing our focus. Even the Bible App provides additional distraction. Features like links continually redirect our focus as we decide whether to engage or ignore them. While tools like word study options, maps, cross references and the availability of multiple translations undeniably enrich research, they can inadvertently disrupt the rhythm of meditative, contemplative and slow reading. Each additional feature, though valuable, demands a share of our limited concentration, potentially diluting the depth of our engagement with the text. What about that powerful search feature? Do the search results show us the forest, the trees, the twigs—or only leaves?
Connecting the dots & learning
Readers of digital text must actively move their eyes to follow the text. Scrolling prevents the formation of a mental map that locates specific text (e.g., the top right-hand corner of the left page). The absence of these mental anchors impairs understanding and diminishes the overall reading experience. This phenomenon likely contributes to the consistent findings across multiple studies that paper reading proves superior for comprehending complex texts.
To comprehend and absorb, we draw connections between teachings, events, truths, principles and various other elements (connect the dots). These connections are only possible when two things (dots) are readily accessible in our memory. The more connections we make, the stronger the memory becomes. If we outsource our memory to the cloud, we may be hindering this connective process, as these externally sourced pieces of information aren’t integrated into personal memory, thereby preventing the formation of a holistic, interconnected understanding.
In Joshua 1:8, God commands us to meditate on the Law day and night. This command is fulfilled when we have heart access hardwired into our memory through meditation. Psalm 119:15-16 says it beautifully: “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” (ESV)
Heed wisdom, seek insight
Habits of scanning and skipping, cursory reading, distracted thinking, and superficial learning are leading us in the wrong direction. We are commanded to heed wisdom, seek insight and diligently search for God’s hidden treasure. We are to examine these from all facets, endeavoring to integrate the acquired wisdom into daily life. Regrettably, the pervasive digital realm is systematically eradicating this form of contemplative mental activity from our lives.
In this digitally saturated era, the medium through which we consume content, especially something as profound as the Bible, undeniably influences our absorption and understanding of the message. While digital Bibles offer convenience and a plethora of tools, they also immerse us in a realm filled with distractions, potentially diminishing the depth of our engagement with God’s word. The tangible, timeless nature of a physical Bible provides a sensory experience and a conducive environment for contemplative reading, free from the pull of notifications and hyperlinks. The subtle characteristics of its
design, the tactile sensation of its pages and the absence of digital distractions facilitate a deeper connection with the text. It’s essential to recognize that the convenience of digital media, though beneficial in many contexts, might not always serve our best interests when it comes to meditative reading. As we navigate this digital age, let us be mindful of the mediums we choose and prioritize the quality and depth of our engagement over mere convenience.