NIV Bible App +

The app is constantly, and I mean, constantly pushing you to login if you happen to open it up and you don’t have Internet access. That sort of show you what it’s all about if you ask me. Also, the Open Study Tab at the bottom of the page when using a phone to read, blocks out a good deal of text at the bottom of page and there seems no way to remove the “Open Study Tab.” And one more thing, I don’t know why they include all the footnotes throughout the various chapters. If once you tap on the footnote to open it up, there’s nothing really there to explain what that footnote is about or why it’s even there in the first place. Perhaps I am missing something here. I do enjoy the fact that the iPad version is very easy to read, with the capability of white letters on a black background. One thing that would really be nice though as a future improvement would be if one were able to open up separate small windows inside the app, if referring to another chapter or verse, for instance, if you’re in a Bible study group and wanted to look up something in a different chapter, but not completely close the book where you were originally at in the first place.

The software is pretty good, but it is missing some important features. 1st, there is no way to attach anything in notes, such as of sermon/class handouts, slideshow pictures, or pictures taken with a camera. I have to use Apple's OCR Scan Text for pictures and paste the words into the notes for each sermon/class, but that still means any photos/pictures aren't included and instead I have to make a comment to view photos taken on that day to view pictures I took of handouts or slideshow. 2nd, it would be helpful if default templates could be made so new notes would start with a certain set of words and paragraphs since sermons/classes follow a pretty set format. What I have done as a workaround is I just created some notes which I copy and then paste into a new note I create for each sermon/class, but it is annoying. Other than the issue with notes listed above everything is good. I'd give the software 5/5 stars if it wasn't for the inconvenience of not being able to have attachments as that is the biggest issue.

My gosh, I've had Olive Tree for years. Before that, I had Logos, back when it came on 3 1/2" disks. My gosh. But this isn't about Logos. It is about Olive Tree. First, an anecdote about why the NIV is my English translation of choice. It is excellent. But, perhaps even a bit edgy. In Revelation 1:3, most translations translate the Greek, "reads" as English "reads". It makes sense. After all, that is the the 1 for 1 translation. It is safe... it is bland... But the NIV translates it as "reads aloud" what??? Why? Because, if you look closely, the context demands it. Good for the NIV! Courage! Scholarship! I like having confidence in the solidity of the translation I'm using and in the hearts of those those worked on it. Glen Barker of Fuller was one... devoted scholar and Christian... he taught our adult SS class at Lake Avenue Congregational Church where I was SS leader. And where (Fuller) I had attended grad school. But, enough about the NIV. Here is why I endorse the Olive Tree bible study system. When you open the Bible, there are little numbers and letters that either give you a short sentence about the text, or take you to a picture-in-picture cross reference to another verse. You can keep clicking on these a buncha times until you are way far removed from the text. Let's talk more... if you have a 2nd translation you frequently check, you can slide it open. And... it is linked to chap and verse where you're at in the NIV or any other primary text choice. Let's talk more... Strong's links to the word you choose. It can give you lots of info... as much as Strong's, the book can. But more accurately, blinding speed faster, and cheaper than buying the page-flipping book. Let's talk more... Arndt & Gingrich (or equivalent), the same. Let's talk more... Brown, Driver, and Briggs (or equivalent) the same. To my knowledge, even tho I don't own every app, they're all linked; maps, biblical encyclopedias, etc. nice job, Olive Tree!