People of the Screen: How Evangelicals Created the Digital Bible and How It Shapes Their Reading of Scripture

by John Dyer

Overview

People of the Screen traces the history of Bible software development, showing the unique and powerful role evangelical entrepreneurs and coders have played in shaping its functionality and how their choices in turn shape the reading habits of millions of people around the world. Examining advancements in Bible software from the first desktop applications to pioneering Bible websites, and later to mobile apps and virtual experiences, this book argues that evangelical creators have a distinct orientation toward societal change and technology called "Hopeful Entrepreneurial Pragmatism" that uniquely positions them to lead the digital Bible market, imbuing their creations with evangelical ways of understanding the nature and purpose of Scripture.

This book offers a blend of historical research, interviews with developers, and field work among digital and print Bible readers, offering a nuanced look at the interconnected ecosystem of publishers, developers, pastors, institutions, and software companies. Digital Bibles aren't replacing print Bibles, author John Dyer shows. Rather, the future of Bible engagement involves readers using a mix of print, audio, and screens to suit their needs. He shows that sometimes the God of the page seems to say different things than the God of the screen, suggesting that we are still in the early stages of a multimedia approach to scripture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780197636350
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	12/06/2022
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	9.32(w) x 6.44(h) x 0.96(d)

About the Author

John Dyer is VP for Enrollment and Educational Technology and Assistant Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He has been a technology creator for over 20 years, and his research focuses on the intersection of faith and technology, including Bible software, digital ecclesiology, artificial intelligence, and transhumanism.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Preface

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Studying Technology and Faith
Chapter 3: Evangelicals, the Bible, and Technology
Chapter 4: Four Waves of Bible Software Development
Chapter 5: Programmers and the Business of Bible Software
Chapter 6: A Portrait of Evangelical Bible Readers
Chapter 7: The Influence of Digital on Evangelical Reader Behavior
Chapter 8: Conclusions

Appendix: Bible Software List
Works Cited
Index

Editorial Reviews

"A fascinating, inside view from a scholar and programmer of the promise and perils of digital technology for Bible readers, and of the people behind the effort. Exciting stuff! And a valuable addition to understanding the Bible for readers today." — Kristin M. Swenson, author of A Most Peculiar Book: The Inherent Strangeness of the Bible

"Digital Bibles aren't just the wave of the future. They're the past and the present. And their growing use has tremendous implications for Christian publishing, worship, training, and devotional experience. With a rare combination of beautiful prose and a programmer's expertise, John Dyer explores the fascinating history (longer than you think) of digital Bibles, where they fit in the Christian publishing economy, and their future influence on the Christian church. This is a must-read book for every serious student of 'the Bible' in all its various forms." — Samuel L. Perry, Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies, University of Oklahoma

"People of the Screen is a marvelous work of scholarship. John Dyer charts new and much-needed territory in our understanding of evangelicalism, technology, business, and the social life of scriptures." — James S. Bielo, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Miami University

"Dyer's clear and engaging narrative style, combined with his self-reflexive critical thinking on what drives evangelicals towards missional technological innovation, makes this a highly readable and timely book. Dyer's work demonstrates the importance of identifying and unpacking the ideological and theological platforms that motivate religious technological endeavors, as well as how these roots frame public and communal perceptions of the Bible in a digital society. This is a must read for scholars of media, religion and culture and those seeking to understand evangelical discourse and influence in contemporary culture." — Heidi A Campbell, Professor of Communication & Presidential Impact Fellow, Texas A&M University

"This book provides valuable insights. It is a good example of the possibilities offered by the sociology of religion into knowledge-making practices." — Samjung Kang Hamilton, Restoration Quarterly

"People of the Screen gathers and analyzes new data on an important topic and does so with the help of relevant theoretical perspectives. It is a well written, carefully researched and highly relevant study that helps us to better understand evangelicalism and lived religion in a digital age." — Joel Halldorf, Church History

From the Publisher