"An innumerable number of theological text books and articles, as well as translations of the Bible from the King James version to the New International Bible, are already available for anyone with access to the internet," commented Mark Tronson, a Baptist minister of 32 years and Well-Being Australia chairman.
He says this in the light of California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiling an education 'cost saving' plan to replace text books with online school study materials and public libraries.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/home/technology/governor-terminates-textbooks-for-schools/2009/06/11/1244664799028.html
"Last year I was introduced to the extent of this transition when our daughter who was then in Year 12, her final high school year, was reading an English subject designated text novel, online," M V Tronson remembered. "Although, from a personal viewpoint, I hope that in Australia we can also retain public libraries!"
In this new era where so much in our lives happens online; from paying bills to reading daily newspapers, it is no wonder, M V Tronson asks, that this is the way in which society is heading.
The only surprise, he mused, is that the State of California has not made this initiative earlier, as it is already commonplace in schools and Universities elsewhere in the world.
"The Internet has also provided a remarkable plethora of reading material for bible students of all ages, moreover, it is a veritable gold mine of helpful information," M V Tronson noted.
"For example, I've noticed that there has been a transition to Christian testimonies online, and there is no greater enthusiast of this than Los Angeles-based Christian journalist, Dan Wooding, whose Frontline Radio and IPTV programs are fast becoming renowned around the world," M V Tronson explained.
Christian businessman Alan Metcalfe who initiated the e-business SafeWorlds, IPTV has given a channel 'Faith Hope & Charity' to Christian Mission, and it is here that Dan Wooding's classic interviews are being housed for viewing.
www.safeworlds.net
"I for one am a regular viewer of Dan Wooding's interviews," M V Tronson explained. "Well-Being Australia too has now moved into this same genre with the Australian Missionary News IPTV on this same channel."
Already M V Tronson has uploaded numerous video testimonies onto the Australian Missionary News IPTV from the Living Water Australasian South Pacific conference recently held in Cairns.
"Twenty-three testimonies of delegates were videoed at that conference including the seminar co-ordinated by my wife Delma and myself, 'Linking Sports to the Christian community'," noted Mark Tronson. These testimonies are also on our regular IPTV web site www.tv.bushorchestra.com
He claims that the transition to online communication will continue. His twenty-fourth book was an e-book http://bushorchestra.com/HarryHenkel.htm; however he also feels that the hard-copy page will remain a necessity regardless of how good online reading might become. There will always be a favourite place for a 'real book' in people's lives, including the family bible.