It is official. The Bible is becoming irrelevant. Wait! Before you get upset, hear me out. The Bible, in its printed form is becoming irrelevant.

Today, Apple announced that it has created a tablet computer called the iPad. This device brings on a new era in computing and media consumption. One of the big features is that the iPad will completely change the way we consume books, and that includes the Bible. I know what you may be thinking. Everybody isn’t going to be able to afford an iPad. That is OK. Soon, you will begin to see many cheaper options coming into the marketplace from other companies.

We are going to begin to see fewer and fewer people carry their Bibles to church. I have not carried my bible to church in about 3 years. No, I’m not a heathen. I have the Bible downloaded on my phone. There is no need for me to carry around a book when I have the exact same information, if not more, in the palm of my hand.

I have two sons, ages 6 and 3. It is very likely that they will never know what it is like to carry a Bible to church. They probably will have the Bible on a cell phone or some other type of digital device. They can already navigate their way through my iPhone with ease.

There are some people that wave around a worn out and Bible with ripped pages. They use it like it is some type of badge of honor. To these people, a worn out bible means that they have attained some type of advanced biblical knowledge. To me, it means that maybe it is time to get a new Bible.

Let’s face it. Technology is changing the way we read and study the Bible. With websites and digital devices we have the ability to study more efficiently than ever before. I have one of those thick concordances and it has been collecting dust for years. I simply don’t need it. I can find all of the information I need much more efficiently by searching online.

The iPad and other digital devices have the potential to turn reading the Bible into an interactive experience. Imagine reading one of the Gospels and having the ability to see and hear an illustration of John baptizing Jesus or Jesus hanging on the cross. In my opinion that is much better than reading printed words on a page.

What do you think? Do you still carry your Bible to church? Do you think there will be a high need for a printed Bible as society progresses?