On May 31, 1897, the New York Journal published an article by Frank White about the recent rumors that humorist and author Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) had taken ill. In a letter to White, Mark Twain wrote, “I can understand how the report of my illness got about, I have even heard on good authority that I was dead… The report of my death was an exaggeration.”

In the age of computers, smart phones and e-books, some have wondered about the health and well-being of printed materials. Some have even suggested that printed books, magazines and newspapers are ill and dying. Even the Bible, the most popular book of all time, has gone digital, with Bible apps and digital devotionals becoming convenient mediums for accessing Scripture.

Print Media is Not Dying

Yet, the notion that we no longer want to hold a book, feel its pages and set them aside to read on our devices is an exaggeration. Print media is not dying. According to a 2021 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center on book consumption and book formats, traditional print is still the most popular reading format for both adults and children.

The survey revealed that:

• 72% of adults in the United States read a book in some format over the last year
• 65% of respondents claimed they read a book in the last 12 months
• 37% of Americans claim they only read print books
• 28% say they read both print books and e-books
• 7% say they only read e-books

Is print still relevant today? Absolutely, according to book printer Sheridan, who says the pandemic actually boosted the publishing industry and they expect print to endure. In June of this year, Publisher’s Weekly shared that U.S. print book sales increased by nearly 70 million units last year. Contrary to popular thought, data from Statista’s Advertising & Media Outlook revealed that e-books still trail that of printed books by a wide margin. In the United States for example, 45% of people bought a printed book last year, compared to the 23% who bought an e-book. A recent survey of respondents in 10 countries showed that it’s not only the U.S. where print still has favor, but internationally, most people still prefer print books over e-books, as well. Germany showed the strongest preference for the print format.

To Get It, Get It In Print

Not only is the popularity of printed books on the rise, but some studies suggest the importance of print books for retention. This is especially important when the subject matter was difficult and needed to be studied by the reader. Individuals reading books on a screen were found to be more easily distracted, making learning less efficient. In other words, for people to really get it, they need to get it in print. This has implications for those who believe that the Bible is a book that should not just be read, but studied and applied to their daily living.

I’m not anti-electronics or resistant to digital media by any means. Digitalization has dramatically enhanced biblical research and study. But maybe we should reconsider how we engage with God’s Word. While some might say that a printed book is just a collection of pages with ink on them, many people have strong emotions about their Bibles. If someone deleted my Bible app, I’d just download another one. But if they stole my printed Bible with its years of notes in the margins, highlighted passages and worn leather cover, I’d feel a deep sense of loss. There’s something sacred about a printed Bible that a digital version could never replace.

Engage With Scripture

At EEM (Eastern Europe Mission), we’re committed to providing the written Word of God to anyone in Eastern Europe who wishes to have a copy in their language — free of charge. EEM’s vision and tag line says it all, “The Bible. We Want Everyone to Get It.” There’s a double meaning in this phrase in the English language. We want people to get a Bible in their hands, but our goal is Scripture engagement. People are forever being changed by the life-giving good news that is taking hold of hearts and transforming lives.

While we also provide electronic materials, people still want the Bible in the traditional print media of paper and ink. Books are reliable and don’t crash. They can easily be read in sunlight, don’t require wireless internet or to be re-charged, and offer a tactile physicality while reading that makes it easier to remember the location of passages in a text. Evidence suggests that if we want people to get it — to understand it — traditional forms are still important.

Digital vs. print media is not an either/or but rather a both/and decision. It depends upon the purpose, subject matter, reader demographic, cultural perspective and economic issues.

Mark Twain said it best: “The report of my death was an exaggeration.” The same is true for paper and ink books that are designed for study and introspection. Print still has a future for those who really wish to “get” the Bible.

Bob Burckle is President of Eastern European Mission, which has been delivering God’s Word to the people of Eastern Europe since 1961, now reaching 32 countries in 25 languages. They provided 1.5 million Bibles and Bible-based materials free of charge in the region in 2021, including in public schools in Croatia, Romania and Ukraine. Learn more at www.eem.org.