'Glo' Bible Takes the Good Book Digital

by Lee Bains on October 17, 2009 at 12:15 PM

Like it or not, the face of the Church is rapidly changing. U2-esque guitars are increasingly taking the place of organs, praise songs the place of hymns and gospel favorites, and the New International Version (NIV) the place of the old King James. Some churches are even tweeting about it all. In keeping with those changes, one transatlantic pair of entrepreneurial believers is carrying the Good Book, itself, into the digital age.

According to Newsweek, Brazil's Nelson Saba, a former Citibank vice president, and Taiwanese businessman Phil Chen first met to discuss such a project three years ago. Friday, they launched Glo, a massive piece of Web-enabled software that aims to expound the NIV translation of the Holy Word with maps, images, and video from the Holy Land, along with encyclopedia articles and social-networking capabilities. On sale for $90 at the company's Web site and various retailers, the 18-gigabyte, Windows-compatible program boasts far too many features to be adequately summarized.

Surely, this program will find a home on the computer of many a young Christian, but we won't be shelling out our hard-earned money quite yet. After looking through Glo's Web site, we weren't able to find that list of theologians and ministers that graces the front pages of every Biblical translation. Although the Word itself is that of the standard NIV translation, Glo's bountiful non-textual addendums do not appear to have been subjected to a panel of religious scholars. Until we learn otherwise, we'll continue to conduct our online studies through the helpful, bonafide (and free) BibleGateway.com. Whenever we're not chained to the computer, though, we still prefer the feel of worn leather in our hands and the musky smell of yellowed paper in our nostrils. Call us Philistines, if you must. [From: Newsweek, via Fast Company]

Tags: bible, e-book, glo, religion, top

Comments

GaryOct 18th 2009 9:14PM

Low Ranked

If it's not KJV it's not Bible, just another book (and not even a good imitation either). All these various 'translations' and you have to use that term loosly with today's cadra of them, are like allowing all the languages spoken in the world to be the official languages of the US. This would lead to mass confusion in the states, just as these 'translations' have lead to mass confusion in the church. No one is sure what they believe anymore, because they don't know what they CAN believe! There is only one authorized english version, and until the english language shifts so far from what it is now that it becomes as different as russian is from english today, there will be NO other authorized english version. When english has changed THAT much, then God will inspire a translator to bring a new authorized version-and it will not be the new international PERversion!

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RyanNov 6th 2009 3:59PM

Neutral

You know, it doesn't matter what version at all if you don't read it. Differing translations can lead to confusion and misinterpretation, to be sure, but it is hardly something to get this worked up about. So many people have misinterpreted the KJV as well, so do you really think that the version matters? It isn't a one-for-one trade, where bad version = bad interpretation, unless you're talking about The Message or something. I am unhappy with the gender neutrality that is being inserted into many bibles these days because it loses a lot of the original intent when you do that, however, the word of God still is inspired and useful for everything. I think God is bigger than the changes in syntax in the book, and if you don't agree, perhaps you should read it more. Perhaps another version maybe? Try ESV, it is what KJV was always trying to be, with language people can understand.

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JayOct 18th 2009 10:44PM

Highly Ranked

Hey Gary, You didn't need to do this here. The KJV isn't Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic. It lacks just as much as the rest of the English translations. The only time Jesus spoke with an English (authorized) accent was in the Movies about him. If you want to read the authorized version learn Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Until then let it alone.

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Tory MoghadamFeb 9th 2010 2:09AM

Neutral

I can't wait until they release this on the ipod touch and iphone. This is just what we need as christians to help our bible studying. I am just thankful i have a copy. A long time ago a bible cost a life's wage and people used to burn them back then, and now i have like laying around the house. no excuse not to read..

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SkyeFeb 24th 2010 5:15PM

Neutral

I took a look at the globible.com website and they actually lowered the price. You can get it for $69 or two copies for $99. That's a lot more affordable.

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