From: clayton stirling bartholomew (c.s.bartholomew@worldnet.att.net)
Date: Wed Jan 03 2001 - 14:40:25 EST
I remember getting an invitation in the late 80's to attend a product demo
of the CD Bible (or what ever it was called then), the first big interactive
hypertexed bible study product from Dallas Seminary (MSWindows only). I was
not "doing windows" but just for fun I got up early on a cold Saturday
morning and crossed lake Washington to Norm Baggs' book store for a coffee
and pastries reception for the the latest and greatest bible study tool to
end all bible study tools. About 50 invitations had been sent out for this
event and three people showed up.
I remember leaving this event thinking that we were entering a new era of
bible study. The era of "just in time knowledge" were biblical exposition
will be pieced together from little scraps and chunks of "context free"
information. I was not thrilled with the dawn of the age of "electronic
bible study" because it was going to usher in a new wave of superficiality
in a field which already had an oversupply of superficiality.
"Context free" information is not real knowledge, it is pseudo knowledge. It
promotes instant experts. This sort of stuff may sound impressive from the
pulpit but it isn't going to do much for serious study of the NT in Greek.
Yesterday I received the latest CRI Journal where they had a one page "puff
piece" (review?) on the NET bible (also form Dallas) as if it were some sort
of new idea. Where have these guys been? The NET bible is just the next
phase of a process which has been underway for over 12 years. Nothing to
get excited about here. The CD Bible in the late 80's was newsworthy, it was
a break through of sorts. The NET Bible should be greeted with a big yawn.
Serious study of the bible in the original languages will never be
accomplished by means of "context free" information. Sorry guys, there are
no short cuts. You need to know what you are talking about.
This is just a little rant and rave from CSB. Not intended as a thread
starter and I will have virtually no time for follow up posts.
Cheers,
Clay
--
Clayton Stirling Bartholomew
Three Tree Point
P.O. Box 255 Seahurst WA 98062
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