Audio Bible vs. Reading the Bible

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HopeinHim98

Well-known member
Mar 16, 2023
585
488
63
#2
What are the biblical pros and cons of hearing the word daily, versus reading the word daily?
I know you asked for biblical pros and cons and that's not what I'm sharing so take my answer for what it's worth.

When you're reading, you can focus your whole attention on the word. When you're listening you can get busy with something else and you might not get as much out of it. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with audio, but maybe it shouldn't be our only diet.
 

FRB72

Active member
Sep 27, 2023
136
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28
England
#3
What are the biblical pros and cons of hearing the word daily, versus reading the word daily?
I think it depends on the person and how they learn best - I take information in better via audio than in writing.

I have this one…
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
26,125
14,112
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#5
What are the biblical pros and cons of hearing the word daily, versus reading the word daily?
Both are commended in Scripture. Jesus says to the Pharisees, “Have you not read the Scriptures?” Also, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of God”.

Neither is recommended above the other. :)
 
Oct 24, 2012
17,459
723
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#6
What are the biblical pros and cons of hearing the word daily, versus reading the word daily?
No matter, it is what one's motive is, that frees them in risen Son for them, or not. God knows as each person knows the truth as in Romans 8 tells me this.
I see, God, the Father of Risen Son for us all, sees if we are sincere or not, then if sincere, Father in Spirit and Truth begins to form us, loves us all, we learn new, at least me so far.
Start right there in thanksgiving and praise. Then ask, how to walk by this love and mercy given us all through Son as risen where new life is at, includes you too.
whether it is reading or audio, however with Father and Son in the mix, you will know truth over error and see it without fighting over it. Let others be and do not accuse or excuse self first, then doing that with others too, becomes just how one responds to everything, giving thanksgiving and praise to God Father and Son. so, see new, no time to get messed up again, when focused on truth new life given you in love and mercy too. That kills pride and guilt placed all around us in this world we are in and not of anymore, at least me as all that personally believe will see this truth too, thank you
As said in. Col. 1:21-23 it is true, we are reconciled as forgiven by Father in risen Son, where new life begins in each person that chooses God to stand in belief, will see and be new by God for them too. Not by any work(s) that religion teaches to do or else you not in attitudes that keeps the Law alive and steals, kills, and destroys people
Under Law, under condemnation. Romans 7:10
Using John 3:12
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
for
The Law was put in place to reveal our inability to obey it perfectly.
This put in place we need a savior, at least me I see this for me, as each person gets to decide this for themselves as well
God demanded perfection, and not even the first chosen could ever do it perfect
Now see the Law truth (Law is perfect) yet when I try to do it, I am dead again and again, or am in pride in thought I got it, when I do not,
Pride and guilt is wiped out in risen Son for su all to stand in belief to God constantly, thank you
 

rrcn

Active member
Oct 15, 2023
722
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43
#7
Ive been thinking of getting a bible on cd. Perhaps just the NT.
If you check Amazon (as well as other places) you can download an audio Bible for free.

Here are a few links:
https://biblesfree.org/bibles-audio.html
https://publicdomainaudiobibles.com/
https://www.biblestudytools.com/audio-bible/
https://www.audiotreasure.com/

I would say that an audio Bible is a great companion when you are traveling, or at work or to accompany you as a read along to your regular Bible. I once worked a job which started at 11:00 at night, required a great deal of precision but was not mentally stressful. I bought an album of the full King James Bible and listened to it for years. Now when I see various discussions or trains of thought the Bible verses that apply to the subject pop into my head in sort of a chain reference order. Of course I can remember the words of the verses almost verbatim but I then have to find a concordance to look up the Biblical location of the verse. I did finally wear out the cassette tapes, but technology has past them by now any way.
I still listen, i have a little mp3 player called a GodPod, as well as an app on my phone.
 

DeanM

Well-known member
May 4, 2021
651
386
63
#8
If you check Amazon (as well as other places) you can download an audio Bible for free.

Here are a few links:
https://biblesfree.org/bibles-audio.html
https://publicdomainaudiobibles.com/
https://www.biblestudytools.com/audio-bible/
https://www.audiotreasure.com/

I would say that an audio Bible is a great companion when you are traveling, or at work or to accompany you as a read along to your regular Bible. I once worked a job which started at 11:00 at night, required a great deal of precision but was not mentally stressful. I bought an album of the full King James Bible and listened to it for years. Now when I see various discussions or trains of thought the Bible verses that apply to the subject pop into my head in sort of a chain reference order. Of course I can remember the words of the verses almost verbatim but I then have to find a concordance to look up the Biblical location of the verse. I did finally wear out the cassette tapes, but technology has past them by now any way.
I still listen, i have a little mp3 player called a GodPod, as well as an app on my phone.
Thank you.
 
#9
Both are commended in Scripture. Jesus says to the Pharisees, “Have you not read the Scriptures?” Also, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of God”.

Neither is recommended above the other. :)
Thank you for answering the question, perfectly.
 

bluejean_bible

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2025
625
311
63
#10
What are the biblical pros and cons of hearing the word daily, versus reading the word daily?
In some cases it's a matter of retention of information in learning styles.

People learn,retain,information in any of 3 different ways.

Some are auditory. If they hear a teaching they retain and recall the material.

Some are visual. If they watch a demonstration,or read, they retain and recall the materials more accurately.

Some people are kinesthetically inclined. They learn better when physically active with the materials. Writing,handing out the paperwork,etc...

I have the New Testament audio version as read by James Earl Jones. RIP.

I love listening to that on road trips. I'm more audio inclined.
People also cross over too. Their learning style can be both audio and kinesthetic, and so forth.

Some also read the Bible aloud. Which is that combination of audio and kinesthetic retention,learning.

I trust God will show the way in how best to remember his wisdom.
:)
 
#11
In some cases it's a matter of retention of information in learning styles.

People learn,retain,information in any of 3 different ways.

Some are auditory. If they hear a teaching they retain and recall the material.

Some are visual. If they watch a demonstration,or read, they retain and recall the materials more accurately.

Some people are kinesthetically inclined. They learn better when physically active with the materials. Writing,handing out the paperwork,etc...

I have the New Testament audio version as read by James Earl Jones. RIP.

I love listening to that on road trips. I'm more audio inclined.
People also cross over too. Their learning style can be both audio and kinesthetic, and so forth.

Some also read the Bible aloud. Which is that combination of audio and kinesthetic retention,learning.

I trust God will show the way in how best to remember his wisdom.
:)
Thank you @bluejean_bible for that reply about learning styles. Well, we have two good answers; both the biblical from @Dino246 and the modern education of learning styles from @bluejean_bible . Thank you for both of your answers.
 

Hakawaka

Well-known member
Jul 1, 2021
474
280
63
#13
I get a headache from reading too much. So I listen to the bible more than read it. I still read many chapters a day, but I read it in BOOK FORM. Not a computer screen. That computer screen reading is just horrible.

Id say hearing it is a more "biblical" mode because people heard it preached in synagogues and many people could not read.
 

DeanM

Well-known member
May 4, 2021
651
386
63
#14
A minster friend told me once that he reads tye Bible one year then listens to it the next year. Sounds pretty good to me.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
15,189
6,138
113
#15
What are the biblical pros and cons of hearing the word daily, versus reading the word daily?
Id say both are pros themselves think of how words can be delivered and those are good ways to both hear and take in and share Gods words writing words soeaking then the Bible even has hymns and songs we receive as scripture but really poetry even are all forms of words and you can express the message of the gospel and also hear and receive it in all those forms

id say both are pros essentially but for instance a person might have a better visual mind for processing information so maybe reading and studying might suit them personally better .

Others love to talk with people or hear people talking and may retain better , the message being communicated that way through audio or audible forms of the word or even a preacher preaching at church some are very good communicators of the biblical
Message.

id say each person would probably find personal benefits and individual cons to then possibly but overall even music if it’s biblical lyrics is a good form there are a lot of songs hymns poems psalms in the Bible we read them as Gods word rightly so because they are different forms of words inSpired by God ms spirit in the men who authored and experienced these things.
 
#16
I get a headache from reading too much. So I listen to the bible more than read it. I still read many chapters a day, but I read it in BOOK FORM. Not a computer screen. That computer screen reading is just horrible.

Id say hearing it is a more "biblical" mode because people heard it preached in synagogues and many people could not read.
I completely agree.

I also notice how when reading the Bible in book form, the effect it has on my mind, heart and body, compared to a screen.
 
#18
Something that will be little bit stronger, is reading while listening.
Actually, what Abraham Lincoln did, which is probably stronger than what you just recommended: is reading the Bible out loud and listen to your own voice. I have down this many times and noticed how engrained scripture was on my mind afterwards. I believe there is some science behind this, which is why Abraham Lincoln read most books and letters out loud.
 
#19
Actually, what Abraham Lincoln did, which is probably stronger than what you just recommended: is reading the Bible out loud and listen to your own voice. I have down this many times and noticed how engrained scripture was on my mind afterwards. I believe there is some science behind this, which is why Abraham Lincoln read most books and letters out loud.
It also helps those who may not be great public speakers to become great public speakers.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
15,189
6,138
113
#20
Actually, what Abraham Lincoln did, which is probably stronger than what you just recommended: is reading the Bible out loud and listen to your own voice. I have down this many times and noticed how engrained scripture was on my mind afterwards. I believe there is some science behind this, which is why Abraham Lincoln read most books and letters out loud.
My daddy made all us kids do that every evening