Bible software in Tonga

Michael Hanson in his article “Studying the bible for free” focuses on two areas. First, free Bible software and second, internet-based Bible Study. I believe that Hanson has provided a very easy to read descriptions of his two focuses. This, however, got me thinking about myself and my country Tonga. Would there be any time in the future where Bible software is available in my own language (Tongan)? If so, would this have any impact on how Tongans interpret the Bible?

One of my lecturers did mention it to me back in Tonga that it would be great project to pursue. A project of where a bible software is created in the Tongan language for Tongans to use. And after reading Hanson’s article, it encourages me to think more about this as a project in the future.

In Tonga at the moment, there are not a lot of Tongan commentaries or even books on tools of how to go about interpreting the Bible (in the Tongan language). On the other hand there are a lot of English resources available mainly to theological students to use. Yes, we do have a theological college that teaches these tools to help students in the process of interpretation, nevertheless, majority of the preachers back in Tonga do not attempt that particular theological college. In that case, I have to say that the majority model for understanding the meaning of the Bible in Tonga is what Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. calls in his book with Moises Silva, An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics: The search for meaning, “the proof-text model.” This model’s approach to understanding the Bible focuses on the practical and pastoral side of life.

This however, gives me more reason to go ahead with this as a project. In a way, if this project is achievable it will provide Tongans with more tools for interpreting the Bible. Yet, the question I raised at the beginning, if this project can be achievable would it impact on how Tongans interpret the Bible, still stand. But for the time being I will say yes to the question.

You probably be asking at the moment why are bible software, why not start with print resources. Well, my answer is that Tongans are similar to everyone else in the world; technology has impacted Tonga in more then one ways. This is similar to the effects that technology has on the world as a whole. So, it would be suitable to provide a bible software now where it can be used according to time and space.

Has the Bibleworks 7 improve our interpretations of the Bible? Is it the purpose of Bible software to help improve our interpretations of the Bible or are they meant for something else? I think your answers to these questions will be similar to the questions raised for Bible software in Tonga. What do you think?