He who has earbuds, let him hear: audio Bibles on the rise

The Word of God never returns void—even if you listen to it in traffic, at the gym, or while folding laundry.

A growing number of Bible resources give listeners the chance to engage with Scripture through their headphones, with new platforms and audio versions making it easier to access Bible reading throughout the day.

Creators and fans say that even without putting eyes to the page, they’re able to read more Scripture and be spurred to deeper study.

The rise of audio Bible resources corresponds with a broader listening trend as people increasingly rely on their smartphones for information and entertainment. Americans are three to four times more likely to listen to podcasts than they were a decade ago, according to Pew Research Center.

While listening to Scripture can maximize time in the Word since it can be done while multitasking, people may question whether it’s as beneficial as traditional study with the text.

Theologian Michael Reeves narrates one of the new ESV audio Bibles, slated to release this week. President of the Union School of Theology in the UK, Reeves himself listens to the Bible, saying it helps him get through larger chunks of Scripture at a time and be more immersed in the Word in his day-to-day than if he were only reading it on the page.

He thinks the new audio options can have a positive effect by encouraging even more scriptural engagement.

“My sense is that the ability to simply consume more Scripture actually creates an appetite for more Scripture,” said Reeves, author of books such as Rejoice and Tremble and Delighting in the Trinity. “When I consume audio, I’m thinking about the scriptural things and it makes me want to check some things out later. By having listened, it’s not making me think I’ve had my fill for today; it’s actually pushing me to want to read more as well.”