Short answer: The Filament Bible is a printed Bible from Tyndale House Publishers that works together with a companion app, the Filament app, which adds commentary, study notes, maps and videos. It comes in the New Living Translation and the King James Version, so it is a Protestant Bible, not a Catholic one. In my view it is a useful tool for readers who want print and digital together, though it is not for everyone.
In This Article
- What Type Of Bible Is The Filament Bible?
- Is The NLT Filament Bible Catholic?
- How Is The Filament Bible Different?
- How Much Does The Filament Bible App Cost?
- Is The Filament Bible Worth It?
- Which Bible Translations Should You Stay Away From?
- Why Is Matthew 17:21 Removed From Some Bibles?
- Bottom Line
- Key Bible Verses About Studying God's Word
For two decades of shepherding a congregation, I watched technology change how people meet Scripture. I came to the Filament Bible as a pastor who loves the printed page and was a little skeptical of a book tied to a phone. I explored it, and I want to give you an honest review: what it is, how it differs from an ordinary Bible, and who it suits.
What Type Of Bible Is The Filament Bible?
The Filament Bible combines the familiar printed text of the Bible with a digital companion app, giving a reading and study experience that a plain Bible does not. In 2018, Tyndale House Publishers unveiled the concept to bridge the gap between traditional printed Bibles and the digital world of information and connectivity.
After its success, Tyndale expanded the project into the Filament Bible Collection. It includes Bibles in two popular translations: the New Living Translation (NLT) and the King James Version (KJV). The collection offers different formats and cover options for different readers. Each Bible in it is designed to work with the Filament app, which serves as the companion that enriches reading and study with digital resources.
Is The NLT Filament Bible Catholic?
No. The Filament Bible uses the standard NLT and KJV texts, which contain the 66 books of the Protestant canon. Catholic Bibles include additional books, often called the deuterocanonical books, which Protestants set apart as the Apocrypha. If you are curious about what Catholic readers use, I answer that in What Bible Do Catholics Use?
How Is The Filament Bible Different?
One of its standout features is cross-platform access. The Filament app is available on both iOS and Android devices, so it suits congregations with members of all ages and levels of tech comfort.
The app offers digital resources such as commentary, study notes, maps and videos to go alongside the biblical text. These materials give context and insight that help readers understand and apply the teaching of the Bible. As a pastor, I appreciate how the app enhances the study and teaching of Scripture.
It also lets users highlight passages, make notes and share their insights with others. That is valuable for personal reflection and for group Bible study, because people can interact with each other and with the Word of God in a digital space. If you wonder whether marking up a Bible is wrong, I take that up in {L('/is-writing-in-the-bible-a-sin/','Is Writing In The Bible A Sin?')}
You will see the Filament app mentioned elsewhere on this site. One of the women's study editions I recommend ties into it, and you can find that in my guide to the best Bibles for women.
How Much Does The Filament Bible App Cost?
I do not want to quote a price that may have changed. The printed Filament Bible is the purchase, and the app is the companion that goes with it. Current pricing and any in-app terms are shown on the Apple and Google store listings linked above, and the book price is on the product page, so check those before you decide. Prices on both can change without notice.
Is The Filament Bible Worth It?
As a pastor for two decades, I firmly believe in the power of the printed Bible as a tangible, sacred text. The Filament Bible does not try to replace the traditional Bible. It tries to enhance how you read and study it, and I think it manages that balance by offering the best of both worlds, physical and digital.
It is most worth it for someone who studies with a phone or tablet close by, who likes to follow a passage into commentary and maps, or who leads a group that wants to share notes. It is least useful if you prefer to read with no screens around, or if you already use a good study Bible and a separate app you like. I also have a review of a different kind of Bible app in my Dwell Bible App review, and a guide to what a study Bible is if you are comparing options.
Which Bible Translations Should You Stay Away From?
Both translations offered with the Filament Bible are respected, mainstream choices. The NLT is a thought-for-thought translation that reads easily, and the KJV is a formal translation with a very long history in English. I cover the NLT in more depth in The Four Best NLT Bibles. The translations I would approach with caution are those altered to serve a particular doctrine or that add large amounts of material to the text. The New World Translation is a well-known example, and many scholars outside the Jehovah's Witnesses reject some of its renderings, such as John 1:1. That is my pastoral view. Whatever you read, test it against the text itself. I explain how the text has been handed down in How Many Times Has The Bible Been Rewritten?
Why Is Matthew 17:21 Removed From Some Bibles?
Readers of the NLT edition sometimes notice this. In the NLT, as in the NIV, ESV and CSB, Matthew 17:21 is not in the main text and appears in a footnote, because the oldest manuscripts do not contain it. The KJV includes it, which is why a KJV reader sees the verse. The teaching, that some demons come out only through prayer, also appears in Mark 9:29, so no doctrine is lost. Compare the two passages yourself at Matthew 17:21. Two readers using different Filament editions may see this difference, and now you know why.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Bottom Line
The Filament Bible is a remarkable addition to the modern tools available for spiritual growth and Bible study. Its fusion of tradition and technology creates a useful resource for individuals and congregations who want to deepen their understanding of God's Word.
As a pastor, I believe the Filament Bible is a powerful tool to enhance one's knowledge of the Bible. It may not be for everyone, but it is certainly worth exploring, and it can be a valuable companion on a spiritual journey.
Key Bible Verses About Studying God's Word
- Psalm 119:105: God's word lights the way
- 2 Timothy 3:16: all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching
- Hebrews 4:12: the word of God is alive and active
- Colossians 3:16: let the message of Christ dwell among you richly
- Acts 17:11: the Bereans examined the Scriptures every day
- Psalm 119:18: a prayer to see wonderful things in God's law
- Joshua 1:8: meditate on the Book of the Law day and night
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of Bible is the Filament Bible?
It is a printed Bible from Tyndale House Publishers that pairs with the Filament app. The collection offers the NLT and the KJV in several formats and covers.
Is the NLT Filament Bible Catholic?
No. It uses the standard NLT text, which has the 66 books of the Protestant canon and does not include the deuterocanonical books that Catholic Bibles contain.
How is the Filament Bible different?
The printed text is joined to an app with commentary, study notes, maps and videos, plus tools to highlight, note and share. It is meant to enrich a printed Bible, not replace it.
How much does the Filament Bible app cost?
Prices change, so check the Apple App Store and Google Play listings and the product page for the book. I do not quote a figure here.
Is the Filament Bible worth it?
It is worth it if you study with a phone or tablet and like digital notes and commentary beside the print. If you prefer a screen-free Bible, a good study Bible may suit you better.
