Some Bible study programs are gratis, but not libre. Others cost $30, right on up to hundreds of dollars - and that's just for the base modules. Worse, most of these programs can only run on one or two operating systems. Follow along as Blue GNU explores a few Free/libre Bible software projects that let anyone have access to hundreds of Bible resources, regardless of what operating system they use, or what language they speak.

Several Bible study software projects are actively developed under the umbrella of the Crosswire Bible Society - a Bible Society aimed at the digital arena. Each of the different applications offers those interested in reading and studying the biblical texts an opportunity to do so, regardless of which operating system or user interface they might be using. Whether you're a Bash geek, a KDE lover, a Windows user, a web user, or need to maintain a mixed OS environment, you'll find something you can install and run on your systems.

The Sword Project is the primary tool the other projects use to develop Bible software. The Sword Project also provides the texts, in the form of modules, that any Sword-based project can use. Thus, the other projects, such as BibleTime and Bible Desktop, use the Sword engine to present the text modules to the reader in a useful and aesthetically-pleasing manner. Users can choose from over 200 texts in more than 50 languages. Users do need to be aware that some publishers have locked the modules for their Bible translations, but any of the Public Domain and some other texts are readily available.

Diatheke is the tool of choice for Bash and DOS enthusiasts. Combine Diatheke with one of several utilities, and you can have a handy Command-Line front-end, an IRC bot, a Perl/CGI tool and a Palm tool. Although many people despise ActiveX, there is even a front-end for that. And, just to show that Christians can be as pun-ny as any other developer, Diatheke is the Greek word for testament or commandment. Get it? It's a command-line tool...

SWORDWeb, funny enough, let's you study the Bible on the web. You can actually try it out, and play with a couple of themes. You should have some idea of how to run a webserver and how to compile from source before delving into this one. It's a really cool tool to have, especially on your church's website or intranet.

JSword is the Java version of The Sword Project and the engine to Bible Desktop, the actual Bible study application. Now that Java is no longer anathema to libre software purists, it is a viable option for a wider audience. Yes, you will need to install Java to run Bible Desktop. Since it's Java, you can run it on GNU, Mac or Windows systems without any problems. Note that the Bible Desktop site has a note about trying to fix the problem with Vista's prompt for permission to run the Bible study program.

GNOMESword builds a front-end to Sword using the GTK development tools. BibleTime is the KDE front-end. Yes, both should run in the opposite environment fairly well. Bible Time appears to be more mature than GNOMESword, but mostly, choosing between them is more a matter of taste.

The Sword for Windows offers Windows users an opportunity to use libre software, even if they cannot manage a complete switch to GNU/Linux. Mac lovers will find that MacSword is probably their best bet. So, if you just refuse to use GNU/Linux, but don't want Windows, you can still read the Bible in libre fashion. Additional projects offer simplified Bible study software, as well as software for PDAs.

Also, the various modules include reference resources, such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, lectionaries, and even devotionals. So the next time your pastor asks you a question, you need not be ashamed... after all, you have been studying, right?