Fr Trevor D’Souza, OFM (Franciscan) –
Introduction
Our world is moving at a very rapid pace. Changes are no more counted in decades but in days. What was the in-thing yesterday is already the outdated thing today. The coming of the internet has changed almost everything – our daily routines, lifestyle, and world-views.
Also Read: Part II: How to Use AI Sites for Bible Study
With the internet as the base, technology is making strides as never before. The linking of technology with the internet is providing us with tools that are making the impossible possible.
Let me take an example. When I was studying in school, we were introduced to cursive writing. Later came the typewriter. Then came the electronic typewriter, followed by the desktop computer, the laptop, tablets, mobile phones, … I do not know if cursive writing is till taught in schools!
Today, the way we search and access information has changed completely. Standard tools like the dictionary, grammar book, library, etc., have become redundant. With a good smart phone and internet connection, one can access the dictionary, grammar, and books all over the world. Knowledge that was not available to us years ago, is now available at the click of a button. Today one has access to so much information and knowledge – what was coming in a trickle has become an avalanche.
Internet and Artificial Intelligence
It is my personal belief that the internet is God’s gift to humankind. We saw its power and capacity during covid times. Our world is so intricately connected with the internet, should it fail, our lives will come to a standstill.
In the progress that is unfolding, technology combined with the internet provides us with search-engines to access resources that were never available to us before. Now with the onset of artificial intelligence (AI), old horizons are fading and new ones emerging.
Bible study, the internet and artificial intelligence
While I was studying in the seminary (late 80’s), I would spend hours in the library, browsing through books, making notes, then typing them down, inserting them into assignments, etc. In a marvellous way, the same information (and much more) is available with a fraction of that time, with the use of the internet and AI. The going will only become better.
Here are some of the tools available for us on how to utilise the internet and AI for bible study.
Websites and Blog sites present bible study material which can be accessed by all. Some are freely available and some are paid services. These sites have plenty of information available for anyone who is interested in bible reading and study.
Applications (Apps) are available with various versions of the bible, in various languages. These apps come in handy when a person is travelling or for quick reference, especially when the printed copy of the bible is not available.
Search engines are providing free access to tons of information. If you remember a single key word, such as burning bush, multiplication of loaves, etc. by using the search engines, one can access the full bible text and references in a jiff. Search engines also help is searching for articles on various topics related to the bible.
Artificial intelligence is adding power to search engine. It provides access to information with a multiplier effect. Companies are racing with each other to provide us with the best AI software possible. By typing in the key string of words, we can command AI to provide us with information beyond our imagination. For example, “a biography of Moses from the bible,” will bring forth an article that will amaze us in the way it is presented.
Gospel music: There are thousands of gospel songs available on YouTube, YouTube Music, Spotify, etc. Facebook communities: there are many Facebook communities on many topics of Christian interest, including Catechism of the Catholic Church, etc. Whatsapp groups: Many individuals have started WhatsApp groups where they share daily mass readings, bible texts, homilies, reflections, videos, etc. Podcasts: lectures or discussions on various topics. Praying Communities and Bible study groups: praying groups or communities (Rosary, Intercession, Adoration, etc.) and Bible Study groups using various platforms available on the internet.
In the future all these platforms will be linked with AI.
Resource Bank
Given below are addresses and details of websites, applications, and AI tools available for effective bible reading and study.
Websites
aleteia.org
Ascension Press
Bible Hub
Bible Research: Reference Materials for Students of Scripture
Bible Study Tools
Biblia.com: Bible Study Online
Biblical Art
Biblical Studies on the Web
Bibliotheca Religiosa IntraText
Catholic Answers
Catholic Online
Catholic Study Bible website
Emmaus Road website
https://bible.usccb.org/bible (Catholic site)
https://www.vatican.va (official website of the Vatican)
Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus
Lectio Divina website
Sacred Heart Interactive website
Scrolls from the Dead Sea
www.catholic.org
Many more ….
Search engines
Some of the most popular search engines are:
Ask.com
Bing
Google
Yahoo!
Apps (can be downloaded from Play stores)
Bible Strong (for those interested in the KJV, also notes on various themes)
Catholic Answers
Exorcism (prayers for deliverance)
God’s Word (for daily mass readings, reflection, saint of the day, common prayers)
ibreviary (for prayer of the church)
Ignatius Press – Augustine Institute (contains the bible, daily readings, prayers, etc.)
New Community Bible (contains the bible and study material)
Vatican News (for news and reporting from the Vatican)
Youcat daily
Many more ….
AI sites
(After you open the site, all you need is to ask questions in the dialog box. The AI will generate an answer for you)
BibleMate.Org has come out with a AI Bible Companion. You can access it on https://www.biblemate.org
Google AI (most popular – Google.Bard.com)
OpenAI (ChatGPT) (chat.openai.com)
Conclusion
The printed book is being replaced by the digital book. Christianity is not a religion of the Book, but of the WORD. All these tools (printed or digital) are tools that help us to read, study, and know the Word. No printed or digital book can help us LIVE the Word. Living the Word is our responsibility.
Kindly keep in mind, that the above tools that provide with information and resources should always be consumed with caution. Verification of the authenticity of the information is very important before we can consume it. Experience teaches us that there is lot of information on the internet which is inaccurate and even misleading.
Having said this, we conclude by saying that the internet and AI are great gifts to humankind in accessing information and knowledge. Bible Study is surely an area where these gifts should be utilised, keeping the above cautions in mind. Sitting in your home, you can now study the bible in a way like never before.