Digital Bible Society Vision

At the time, none could have imagined what far-reaching impact an unusual invention in the Sixteenth Century would have on world history. Within years of Gutenberg’s printing press, the economic, social, and spiritual order was turned on its head as men like Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli, made ready use of this device to spread their liberating ideas across Europe. The printing press made way for the Reformation, and the Reformation made way for the salvation of untold millions.

In the twentieth century another printing press came on the scene – the personal computer. And in the space of two decades, the PC dramatically transformed the economic and social order of our world. But the revolution is just beginning.

As of September 2002, the one billionth computer was manufactured. The feat took twenty five years, but, it is estimated that the second billion will be built by the year 2008, with the majority of those being distributed in the hottest growing market in the world – Asia **.

We believe another reformation is at hand. Huge segments of the world community are still without Bibles and Christian literature. In China alone , the Bible League estimates that some 45 million Christians still do not have a Bible they can call their own. We believe the new "printing press," will change everything.

Traditionally, Bibles have cost missionary societies several dollars each to produce and ship. But now, an entire Christian library, with Bibles, audio-scriptures, evangelical media, commentaries, devotionals, and biographies (all in one’s own native language) can be reproduced on a quality computer disk for about 50 cents.
Moreover, that same “CD” can be copied and given away in a matter of minutes. Imagine, a entire Christian library, a resource worth thousands of dollars – taking several feet of shelf space – copied freely in minutes and carried away in one’s shirt pocket.

Under such conviction, the Digital Bible Society is aggressively committed to the production and distribution of digital Christian literature and media, in languages where Bibles are scarce or prohibited. We desire to provide equipment and training when required, and we are seeking to support other organizations as they convert and distribute Christian literature in multi-lingual digital formats.

We are currently distributing CDs without cost throughout China and Taiwan and are pursuing the distribution of CDs in Arabic and Russian to the Arab World and Eastern Europe. We are happy to supply both short and long term missionaries with adequate supplies of CDs for free distribution on the mission field, in hopes that there will be no want for the Holy Scripture in any language, in any nation.

** Statistics reflect the research of Gartner Dataquest as referenced in the September 3rd, 2002 issue of PC Magazine (page 7).