People of the Screen: How Evangelicals Created the Digital Bible and How It Shapes Their Reading of Scripture
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. 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.
1141663390
People of the Screen: How Evangelicals Created the Digital Bible and How It Shapes Their Reading of Scripture
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. 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.
19.99 In Stock
People of the Screen: How Evangelicals Created the Digital Bible and How It Shapes Their Reading of Scripture

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

by John Dyer

Narrated by Dean Gallagher

Unabridged — 9 hours, 29 minutes

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

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

by John Dyer

Narrated by Dean Gallagher

Unabridged — 9 hours, 29 minutes

Audiobook (Digital)

$19.99
FREE With a B&N Audiobooks Subscription | Cancel Anytime
$0.00

Free with a B&N Audiobooks Subscription | Cancel Anytime

START FREE TRIAL

Already Subscribed? 

Sign in to Your BN.com Account


Listen on the free Barnes & Noble NOOK app


Related collections and offers

FREE

with a B&N Audiobooks Subscription

Or Pay $19.99

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. 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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"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

Product Details

BN ID: 2940176796988
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Publication date: 12/13/2022
Edition description: Unabridged
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews