People of the Screen, John Dyer
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People of the Screen
How Evangelicals Created the Digital Bible and How It Shapes Their Reading of Scripture

Author: John Dyer

Narrator: Dean Gallagher

Unabridged: 9 hr 29 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 12/13/2022


Synopsis

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.

Author Bio

John Dyer is the vice president for enrollment and educational technology and assistant professor of theological studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, and lives in Irving, Texas. His other work includes Ecclesiology for a Digital Church and People of the Screen.

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