Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating?

Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (Full Version)

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[Poll]

Yes, CHEATER! That will teach you to get behind in the first place!

0% (0)

No, quit being paranoid.

55% (24)

As long as you're being transformed by the Word, who cares?

44% (19)

Total Votes : 43

(last vote on : 7/24/2008 12:44:49 AM)
(Poll will run till: -- )

Message

swimkid -> Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/19/2008 8:55:45 PM)
Got a bit behind on my reading today. Too busy shopping online for furniture for a house I don't own. [8\|] I am going on a trip tomorrow and will have quite a bit of time in the car. Just wondering if you think it matters, can I count this towards my reading? Actually, in general, I have a bit of a drive to work, this would help me get alot of "reading" done if I do it this way. Do you think it makes any difference between actually reading it out of a book, or listening to it on audio CD?

swimkid -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/19/2008 9:00:56 PM)
ps. I don't want to read less per day. I am ok with how much to read a day. But as far as listening in the car, I actually hate morning radio anyways, I always end up flipping the stations constantly, so it might help with that, and getting my reading done.

4IMPersuaded -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/19/2008 10:06:24 PM)
I see no difference if your hope is to "read" only. Sometimes you will need to sit with a passage and go over its context and language... refer to other parts of scripture to clarify and that sort of thing. It would be difficult for me to do this with an audio version. Any time spent in the Word is time well spent.

LCannon -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/19/2008 10:44:49 PM)
Listening or reading never hurts however reading(aloud)tends to cement the text more securely. (I vote C)

KuKu -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/19/2008 10:46:35 PM)
I work at a retirement facility and several people have 'books on tape' including one having a Bible. I don't consider her cheating...

19ramman85 -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/19/2008 10:52:18 PM)
As long as its instrumental,or in this case - instructional - what diff does it make! Or like the response I picked - quit being paranoid! lol -charles

OneJohn410 -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 12:09:14 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: swimkid Got a bit behind on my reading today. Too busy shopping online for furniture for a house I don't own. [8\|] I am going on a trip tomorrow and will have quite a bit of time in the car. Just wondering if you think it matters, can I count this towards my reading? Actually, in general, I have a bit of a drive to work, this would help me get alot of "reading" done if I do it this way. Do you think it makes any difference between actually reading it out of a book, or listening to it on audio CD? [:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(] <----- sour grapes Swimkid, Yes, I do think it makes a difference. Something can be read, or someone can hear someone else reading it aloud. And if there's a target content to be seen or heard each day, then if you miss a day, you've got to make it up. What really matters is what you internalize- what you comprehend. Because that would be my end goal, I think I get the most from a passage by reading it undistracted by driving responsibilities. If they weren't called readings, then I wouldn't think you were seeking any comprehension, but since that's what they are called, then that's what they should be. OneJohn410

Roberta_ -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 12:15:15 AM)
No, quit being paranoid. [;)]

Little_1 -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 7:35:25 AM)
I voted the "No, quit being paranoid!" option. [:D] Listening to the Word of God e.g. by CD in your car is not a bad thing unless it distracts you from driving! [:(] I listen to the Word of God sometimes using a 'Talking Bible'. It's solar powered (and you can mains charge it also). It is handy in size because I can pop it in my pocket or bag. It also has earphones so as not to distract anyone else (so this is handy if you are on a bus or train, etc). This option could make a good birthday or Christmas gift too. Personally, however, I find that I retain much more by reading the Bible out loud. I find that using the 'Talking Bible' or even listening to the Bible on tape/CD has it's place but these are not the best options for me. That is not to say that listening to either a 'Talking Bible' or CD/tapes will not be a favourite of others however. We are all different! [;)]

RJR_fan -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 8:12:03 AM)
quote: Sometimes you will need to sit with a passage and go over its context and language... refer to other parts of scripture to clarify and that sort of thing. We have that option today. Originally, people read aloud, in order to absorb through their ears what was written. The Greek verb "I read" (anagnosko)actually, literally, means "I make known to those around me." When Phillip hitchhiked with the Ethiopian, he heard the guy reading, you'll recall. Augustine was astonished by his mentor, Ambrose of Milan, who could actually read silently!

TMeeks -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 8:57:42 AM)
The point of the Bible was to communicate to mankind God's intentions and goals for them. Had the iPod been available to the Gospel writers, I'm sure that the Bible would have been delivered in multiple formats to believers... including MP3. The goal of reading is to bring the concepts found in the Bible into your brain where they can affect your thinking and your life. In many cultures, missionaries are learning that one of the best ways they can communicate the Word of God is through the 'story telling' technique. It's not HOW the words of the Bible enter your brain. It's that you recognize those words as being authoritative and worthy of DOING once they are in your brain. [;)] quote: ORIGINAL: swimkid Got a bit behind on my reading today. Too busy shopping online for furniture for a house I don't own. [8\|] I am going on a trip tomorrow and will have quite a bit of time in the car. Just wondering if you think it matters, can I count this towards my reading? Actually, in general, I have a bit of a drive to work, this would help me get alot of "reading" done if I do it this way. Do you think it makes any difference between actually reading it out of a book, or listening to it on audio CD?

jrood -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 2:05:38 PM)
I'd say, no it's not cheating as long as you still understand what it says. Here's the thing... When you usually do your Bible reading, do you just read straight through the passage and then put it away? Cause i usually don't. I usually get stuck on passages, and then study them for a while before i figure out what they mean. Technically, i guess you could do that with an audio recording, if you just paused it and replayed the last few seconds over and over when you wanted to study one specific verse. idk, seeing it in print sounds easier to me (btw, doing my Bible study with friends has worked out really well for me)

jrood -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 2:08:47 PM)
p.s. (sorry for double posting) if you have nothing else you need to listen to in the car, listening to the Bible won't hurt. But i'd think of it more as...listing to the passage to get a better general idea. Then, i would go over it again, reading, after the drive.

zoebob -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 2:12:54 PM)
I suppose it depends on how you learn best. Some learn best by hearing something others by reading it or seeing it themselves. I am a reader or doer (for example of math problems). My DD is a hearer. SHe gets something much better if I read it to her vs reading it herself and it doesn't have anything to do with her ability to read.

McFatty -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 2:20:17 PM)
All those people in the first few centuries who were illiterate and went to meet with other Christians to hear the Word read to them weren't cheaters. They were doing exactly what Paul told them to do. Hearing the Word aloud is what the Bible tells us we should do. It's not the only thing we should do. Reading is good too, of course, but the main way we're supposed to get the Word is by reading it aloud to others and hearing it read aloud to us.

colliefan -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 2:57:33 PM)
Just a question; the majority of the NT are letters to various churces, Were they read aloud or were zerox copies of them made to distribute to the congregation to be read at a later date?

rcjames -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 3:36:31 PM)
The only difference I could see is are you really listening to the Word with the some conseentration as you read the Word. Are you really hearing it or is it just backgroud noise such as an Abba Cd. Thanks RC

KuKu -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 4:08:17 PM)
James 1:23-25 Matthew 7:26 I could add several more... but you get the picture[:)] Since 'reading' wasn't an option in Bible times, and actually, in a readable language (native) until all that long ago, there must be a reason that 'hearer' is so often used in scripture. There is nothing wrong with reading vs hearing in many cases, as I alluded to, but when it becomes simply a background noise, or an excuse to NOT read (I want to finish this game, so'll I'll listen tomorrow on the way to work) or as RC pointed out, simply background noise...

PopsiLufsJesus -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 4:25:41 PM)
Romans 10:17 ~ "So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

stonek -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 8:04:56 PM)
I am going with doing both as best. Read the word when you can and listen to it on CD when you can't.

mutinywxgirl -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/20/2008 11:54:19 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: zoebob I suppose it depends on how you learn best. Some learn best by hearing something others by reading it or seeing it themselves. I am a reader or doer (for example of math problems). My DD is a hearer. SHe gets something much better if I read it to her vs reading it herself and it doesn't have anything to do with her ability to read. This is me - I learn by reading. I may hear something that'll impact me at the moment, but don't expect me to remember it the next day. Now, when I read something, it's there forever. I have a photographic mind for the most part. So, it goes to the point of why you're listening to it vs reading it. That said - I know of many visually impaired people who listen to the Bible - so, it's really okay.

AboundinginHisGrace -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/21/2008 1:11:36 AM)
It is fine, but you should make time for reading/listening, not just fitting it into your schedule. It should be a top priority. You should also get quite time to just focus on God and His word, praying and reading and letting God speak to you through His word. I am fixing to get the bible on CD to listen to in my car when I am driving to places, but this will be in addition to my daily bible reading/quite time. I just can't seem to get enough :).

DaveW -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/21/2008 6:53:24 AM)
No, quit being paranoid. In bible times, and even up until the 16th century when Guttenberg developed a printing press, all texts were hand written. Owning a complete bible was way beyond the economic reach of any but the absolute wealthiest. For example, today if you want a hand written scroll with jus the first five books of the bible (Genesis - Deuteronomy) it will cost you about $3000-$5000. You can do the math for all 66 books. So in those days the only way was to HEAR the scriptures being read. Paul instructs Timothy to not forsake the public reading of scriptures for that very reason. Hearing is just fine.

swimkid -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/21/2008 8:37:29 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: KuKu James 1:23-25 Matthew 7:26 I could add several more... but you get the picture[:)] Since 'reading' wasn't an option in Bible times, and actually, in a readable language (native) until all that long ago, there must be a reason that 'hearer' is so often used in scripture. There is nothing wrong with reading vs hearing in many cases, as I alluded to, but when it becomes simply a background noise, or an excuse to NOT read (I want to finish this game, so'll I'll listen tomorrow on the way to work) or as RC pointed out, simply background noise... thanks everyone for the responses. Esp about the no excuses part! Which was def. Saturday. I think I want to try and actually sit down and read it, but I listened in the car today and really liked it. I felt like it was alot clearer. Soemtimes my eyes just glaze over when I try to read things. I liked the idea of reading aloud too, that might help focus. Maybe I will do a combination, read some out loud, listen to some in the car, and just read some. Then each time I go through, switch up which part I do which. (I am trying to read a few chapters from a couple different books each day to break it up a little). After a while then I can decide what works best for me, since I am trying to start a habit of getting into the word everyday. Start where you can I suppose.

tapestry -> RE: Is "listening" instead of "reading" the Bible cheating? (7/21/2008 8:48:39 AM)
of course there is nothing wrong with listening to the word. What a blessing to those who are visually impaired!

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