There's a rush that comes from working with a professional grade power tool. When I put crown molding in our dining room I borrowed a Hitachi compound miter saw. It was so accurate, I could shave off paper thin slices. Unfortunately, this was my first exposure to a miter saw. And to crown molding. And to woodworking. The end result was a large pile of scraps and many unnecessary trips to Home Depot. The highest quality power tool, used improperly, creates more mistakes, faster mistakes, and mistakes on a grander scale. When used improperly, Bible software poses the exact same danger.
The search features of Bible software lets you rip verses from their context. It takes only minutes to amass a collection of contorted verses to support any bias. The speed, power, and convenience of Bible software can lull even the conscientious student into taking shortcuts. A craftsman needs ingrained skills for both safety and productivity. A strong foundation in inductive Bible study techniques also lets you see the many ways Bible software can enrich your studies.
Study habits also determine the proper software package. It's like digging: you choose between a shovel and a backhoe based on how deep you're going. The recent trend is the "library" concept. Vendors offer collections of electronic books targeted to different skill levels. Advanced levels include Greek and Hebrew texts and scholarly lexicons. Introductory levels would include a few Bible versions and perhaps a Bible dictionary. Find a vendor that allows you to add the books you want into their electronic library. This applies to both their current offerings and their ability to negotiate future book deals.
Great content is only half the decision. A vendor may offer hundreds of books, but make digging into them sheer torture. Find out all the different ways a vendor allows you to search their library. Can you search multiple books at once? Can you limit searches to specified ranges (e.g., just the Gospels, or just the first four chapters of Ephesians)? Can you search by words, phrases, and approximate phrases? If you'll be using Greek and Hebrew tools, can you search by both root forms and conjugated forms? Can you specify tense, voice, and/or mood for verbs?
Your next consideration is how easy it is to move around the content. Cross references are incomplete if a simple mouse click doesn't take you there automatically. You'll also want electronic bookmarks so you can quickly return to your main passage of study. Find out all the different types of links a vendor offers: to dictionaries, to lexicons, to related verses, to commentaries, to maps, etc. You'll also want synchronized links so you can compare several Bible versions at once. As you navigate the text, the other versions automatically match your movements and show the same passage.
You'll want to write down your observations as you study. Some vendors build note-taking into their systems, but they rarely offer the full power of a word processor (such as spelling, tables, or advanced formatting). For advanced needs, most packages will work with your existing word processor. However, even name-brand word processors may not be fully supported. Investigate this closely if you expect to work with Greek or Hebrew. Talk with someone who owns both the word processor and Bible study package you plan to use.
Price is the final factor in your buying decision. You could buy the lower cost "Introductory Level" and build up to the "Advanced Level" by gradually purchasing add-on books. However, you'll spend more than if you'd saved up and just bought the "Advanced Level." Try to buy as close to the level you'll need. Before you add a book to your electronic library, think about how you'll use it. Something like a devotional is better as a paperback because of its sheer convenience. Also investigate what version you're purchasing. Is it an abridgment? Is it the latest edition? Does it include all the supplemental materials (e.g., illustrations, maps, critical apparatus, etc.)?
On the day you make your purchase, you'll rip open the package and find a missing ingredient. Like any power tool, it's just a dust magnet without use. Your time and devotion are the most expensive parts of Bible study software — because they're the most valuable. It is the diligent and skilled workman that isn't found ashamed. Remember, you're handling the very words of God.
Version 03.14.1998