In recent years, a growing trend has emerged in many congregations: congregants arriving at church with their mobile phones in hand, but without a hardcopy Bible. Their justification is: “I have the Bible on my phone.” While technology has indeed made Scripture more accessible, this practice raises important questions about reverence, focus, and symbolism in worship.
The convenience of Bible apps cannot be denied. I use the Life Bible App and I love it. With just a swipe, I access multiple translations, commentaries, and even devotionals. For the modern believer, this is a powerful tool. Yet, the same device that holds the Word of God also holds WhatsApp messages, Facebook notifications, and of course incoming calls.
The risk of distraction is ever-present. A congregant reading from his or her phone may suddenly be interrupted by a buzzing alert, shifting attention from the sermon to a text message. In such moments, the sanctity of worship is compromised.
Beyond distraction is the matter of symbolism. I care about that. We must not only live as Christians, but we must also be seen as such. Carrying a hardcopy Bible to church has long been a visible sign of faith. It is a statement that says, “I am going to meet God in church with His Word in hand.”
The physical presence of the Bible reinforces its centrality in our faith. When congregants walk into church with phones instead of Bibles, something of that symbolism is missing if not lost. The Bible ceases to be a sacred object in the public eye and risks being reduced to just another app among many.
Moreover, the absence of hardcopy Bibles in church reflects a deeper issue: some Christians do not own a Bible. For them, the phone becomes the only access point to Scripture. While this seems practical, it also suggests a weakening of the discipline of Bible reading – talk less of its study. Phones are often associated with quick browsing rather than deep study. A physical Bible, on the other hand, invites reflection, underlining, and note-taking; habits that nurture our knowledge and spiritual growth.
I love information and communication technology (ICT) given my area of work and studies. Thus, advocating for the use of hardcopy Bibles in church is not a rejection of technology. Rather, it is a call to balance. We live in a digital age, and Bible apps are valuable resources. But they should complement, not replace, the physical Bible.
Bringing a hardcopy Bible to church preserves the symbolism of faith, minimises distractions, and encourages deeper engagement with Scripture for example during Bible Studies. At the same time, having a Bible app on one’s phone can serve as a backup or a tool for study outside the service. We must embrace technology without losing tradition.
Worship must remain a sacred space, free from unnecessary interruptions. Carrying a Bible to church is a profound act that reminds us of the seriousness of our faith. It is a discipline that keeps us grounded, even in an era of smartphones and surging digital convenience.
The question is not whether to choose between phone or Bible, but whether we can hold on to both responsibly. The phone may have a Bible App, but the hard copy Bible has far more than an App carries. At church, and in worship, the Bible deserves pride of place so take your Bible to church.
By: Jerome Otchere, Public Relations Officer.
