The Bible and hypertext technology : challenges for maximizing the use of a new type of technology in Biblical studies

Recent advances in the study of language, language use and comprehension have given us much insight into the complexities of human communication. If Biblical exegesis is regarded as the recording of the processes of reading of the Biblical text from various points of view (a specific type of communication), it can be informed by empirical research into the comprehension of texts. It is therefore reasonable to argue that a model for structuring a hypertext Bible or Bible commentary that has been developed in the light of these insights certainly has a better chance of maximizing the implementation of hypertext technology to serve the needs of Biblical scholars than one that did not take these considerations into account. If Biblical scholars want to maximize the use of hypertext technology in order to take charge of their communicative environment, they have to inform themselves about (1) recent developments in communication theory and linguistics, (2) Biblical exegesis and psycholinguistic studies on the comprehension of texts, as well as (3) the basic tenets of hypertext.