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?

The Bible and Hypertext

After reading an article by Kirsten Abbott called “Wrestling texts: hypertext and biblical studies”, it got me thinking about the relation between the Bible and hypertext. Abbott sets out to ‘encourage an attitude that sees hypertextual media as providing existing opportunities for biblical studies’, and I believe that she achieved her goal. This, however, got me thinking more about the opportunities that hypertext can provide for biblical studies. It makes sense though if the Bible is a big hypertext then it make sense to use hypertext to provide existing opportunities and may be more.

I am currently undergoing a task of creating a hypertext for an introduction to the Book of Ruth aiming at first year students. Although its not finish, the current product has arouse some questions that in my head I tend to think about every now and then. One of the questions is about authority, who holds the authority? When I read a text and try to interpret that particular text, does the text (Bible) still holds the authority or have I taken that authority from the text? In my opinion, in providing my own interpretation of a text will give me the authority. On the other hand, if I provide a variety of interpretations I’m handing over the authority to the reader. Then the question of where is the authority of the text is asked. What does happen to the authority of the text? Can the hypertextual media provide opportunities for biblical studies that can let the text holds the authority?

I think that our task as biblical scholars is to provide possibilities of meanings to a particular text. In this way we give the Bible the authority, not our interpretations, not the readers’ interpretations but the text (or Bible). I can’t help but think of Abbott’s project on Genesis 32:22-32, the story of Jacob wrestling a mysterious assailant at the Jabbok. In her project, she provided a couple of possibilities of meaning to the question of ‘who is the man?’ (referring to the person who wrestle with Jacob). As your reading her project, it feels as if the text still holds the authority. This can also be done with a printed book, but the question that rose from here is; why is it different when reading a commentary and reading Abbott’s project? Is it because of the two different cultures (print and digital cultures)? May be!!! But the question still stand, can the hypertextual media provide opportunities for biblical studies that can let the text hold the authority?