Our Bible Reviews

by Makingnicknameishard

From what I’ve heard I thought this might be an interesting app.
ALL of the articles (yes, even the „free this month“ ones?!?) require a subscription. OurBible also has podcasts and of course you can read different versions of the Bible, both of which are free. You can’t take notes or highlight like you can in other apps so there’s not a lot actually offered without a subscription to make it worthwhile. It might be useful if you want a list of podcasts to listen to or a convenient all-in-one-place library, but with all the other ways to listen to podcasts that isn’t really a draw, especially on its own.

From what I can tell there’s no trial or trial material in OurBible which doesn’t convince me to subscribe. The interactions don’t seem to be buggy or particularly difficult however so if you want to subscribe there shouldn’t be any issues there.

by BreAnnMcCord

I truly love OurBible and the devotionals. They’re some of the best out there and provide a wonderful and inclusive understanding of the Bible and God’s word and plan for us all. However, I was really disappointed to find that OurBible updated all the devotionals I’m currently in the middle of, I now have to pay a premium subscription to continue reading them. This really stinks. I understand that you all need to make your money, but this is absurd. You’re now limiting the content for money and I wish you’d just keep this as an open resource for people who are truly just trying to find their way and connect/reconnect with their God. Capitalism got you guys and I really am disappointed that I’ll now be deleting OurBible and praying that I find a similar resource that will give me quality and inclusive content like this.

by Mcjilli

The Bible is already pro-woman. It’s anti-ignoring poverty. It’s full of grace. It has stories of broken people who did messed-up stuff and faced real struggle, but through faith in Jesus are restored to his glory. It also tells of the beauty of his life, death, and resurrection. OurBible does not embrace need for Jesus or acknowledge that God’s Laws were given as a beautiful act of mercy. While OurBible has talented writers, the substance is shallow and often opposing what the whole Scriptures say.

My other concern is it’s one step further from asking tough questions and listening to viewpoints as progressives and conservatives together. We as all Christians are called to that as the Church. Lumping a “Progressive” app together sends the message of a need for division and apathy towards reconciliation.

by Kcatch

It's glitching now, every time I try to open a conversation group I'm part of, the screen freezes on the "loading" page and I have to exit out and kill OurBible completely to get back in. I can still read devotions but can't access the chat feature anymore 😕

Editing to add that now all but one devotional in the "Free this month" section is actually labeled "Premium" and unavailable!! That makes no sense!! Please fix I miss my devotionals. Just use ads if you need revenue perhaps?

by Storage For Rate

I really LOVE the idea of OurBible. It is so needed in a world where LGBTQ, POC and other marginalized groups are excluded from the rest of “church,” but I was very disheartened to find majority of the content requires a paid subscription. I personally don’t have $5 in my monthly budget, thanks pandemic, to pay for the service and know a huge percentage of potential users who also could not afford it. That said if I were in a place to afford it I would gladly donate so that those that could not, but need this resource would have it available to them. I also know of folx with unsupportive family who are on their parents accounts and purchases like this could cause strife or grief. Just a suggestion for the future. I’ll keep OurBible until I can afford it, just could really use it now :(

by Shewhomustnotbenamed!

I liked OurBible a lot and i love that it exists. I just got back to it and see that now there is almost no content for free. I found one one day devotional and thats it. There might be more but its super hard to find. It’s still an awesome idea and a good app, and i do think it’s fine they have some content you have to pay for. But it’s pretty unusable if thats not affordable for you or if you don’t use it enough to get enough out of it for the price. Hopefully they can find a happy medium to allow at least a few more free devotionals (perhaps separated in a free section so they can be found) for those who are used to OurBible being free or who can’t upgrade. I wish them luck but I don’t think i will be using it much now as is, which is a bummer.

by Metaquartz

I downloaded this some time ago, as part of a long-standing attempt to get back into more regular Bible study, with mature and thoughtful resources.
At first it seemed like a promising new venture. I read a few of the study programs, and told some friends about it, shared it on social media, etc.
Then came the paywalls.
I don’t want everything for free, mind — our house is a testament to my investment in good resources — but it felt like a bait-and-switch routine, and while it’s a nice resource, it definitely grew away from what I was looking for, and I have deleted OurBible and will only recommend it on a specific and limited basis.

by Thekellyrenee.1

I love what I’ve seen of the devos, podcasts & other resources, but OurBible has problems that are preventing me from being able to use it consistently.
Most days when I try to open OurBible , it just sits there, with the opening graphic on my screen but never getting further than that.
Dismissing it doesn’t work; the only thing that seems to help is rebooting my phone, which is annoying to have to do every day. I really hope they can fix this in a future update (soon)!

by Kimscicle

The content is amazing. And I just updated to the latest version and I am so disappointed. I waited a long time before finally updating. And was extremely disappointed to find that the update now puts basically all the content behind a paid wall. At $5/month, it’s a quite costly one at that.
I had loved all the different perspectives and that some of the stuff was written by people that I know. And I especially loved that it was free. I totally get that bills need to be paid... But I think the developers need to find another way. Sell ads? Make it a $10 one time fee to download. Charge $1/month or $10/year. Or make it a pay what you can / sliding scale model. As it is, it’s cost prohibitive... and I really can’t recommend it to friends anymore because most of us don’t have the luxury to spend that kind of money on an app.
Please please please find a way to make this accessible again.

by Hopingitworksagain

I love having a resource that allows progressive theology and incorporates new things in it. It is very refreshing to know there are devotionals for everyone out there, and I especially like the groups included.

However, I do not like how it costs $5 a month. That is really costly, and personally I do not think a bible app should be charging people, especially one designed for the marginalized. OurBible is also a bit disorganized and has some bugs. For instance, if I try to go into the devotional categories under “search”, nothing happens.

by Jdp3227

Thank you for OurBible. So needed as it fills that gap of more progressive leaning devotionals and interpretation in a bible app.

Just a couple things I would personally like to see in updates:
1. A way to change the default translation
2. A way to add notes to verses
3. A way to select multiple verses at once for copying or staring.

Thanks! Keep it up!!

by Zoharalson

I’m so glad I found this, it’s given me just what I’ve been looking for—a place where I can experience God and be welcome, without having to search hard to find the rare devotional entry that doesn’t force a traditional view of scripture down my throat, as happens in most bible apps.

The people writing reviews saying that OurBible is unnecessary or causing division by clumping progressives in one place don’t seem to understand what it’s like to live as someone who is unwelcome in traditional Christian spaces. This is such a beautiful oasis where I can simply relax into the presence of God, rather than having to intellectualize and debate and try to prove my worth as a gay man. Traditional Christianity has come close to forcing me away from God entirely, and I’m so happy to have found OurBible so that I can enjoy the faith practices that I miss so much, and do so in a healthy life-giving way.

And as far as the depth of the content—some is very Bible-centered, and some is more topical. Which is exactly what you need in an app that reaches people at any stage of their journey, and plenty of traditional bible apps are the same way. Just because some more conservative reviewers don’t agree with some of the interpretations of scripture they find here doesn’t mean the content is wrong or shallow.

by Loki's Little Sister

As a queer transman I haven’t ever really felt like I belonged/was accepted in Christianity because of how it was taught to me (what’s up Bible Belt). LGBT people tend to be/feel alienated from religion so my relationship with religion is complicated and rocky and has been for years. OurBible gives me a fresh, welcoming atmosphere that I haven’t had much of a chance of experiencing irl. It kinda makes me want to get back into the religion I was raised in.

by DeGraffendork

Finally there’s an app where I feel like I don’t have to navigate through tricky and dangerous theology to try to “find God.”

Our Bible was made for people like me. It feels personal and intimate. In a Christianity that is often polarizing for queer children of God OurBible is a small glimpse at the Beloved Community we’re all trying to create.

by Jjj200j

In a culture where fundamentalist Christianity dominates the publishing market, it can be hard for Christians of diverse backgrounds and beliefs to find materials to enhance their spiritual life. The Our Bible App is the best resource I’ve found to fill this gap, with content produced by brilliant people from every walk of life. OurBible is a blessing. It’ll change your life like it has changed mine.

by Greyson1220

I’m so glad OurBible is finally up and running. It’s easy to navigate through and I love the devotionals. I would love for there to be a social media aspect to it in the future, or as another review said, in a separate app. I don’t have any affirming churches in my area, personally. It’d be really cool to be able to have discussions with likeminded people on Our Bible app. Perhaps some affirming bible studies. Anyway, great app, nonetheless.

by NickAJG

This helps me when I’m feeling challenged at the crossroads between identity and faith, and I really appreciate the folks that have dedicated their energy to creating this and exploring those questions.

The only thing I would change is I would include more devotionals focused on gender and gender identity, if possible. While I find a lot of connection to the broad LGBTQ+-affirming devotionals, I think some distinct from sexuality and focused on gender identity would be helpful, at least for me.

by Iraenalu

This is an excellent Bible App - easy UI, plenty of versions easily accessible, not overrun with micro transactions, and free of the paternalistic evangelical voice too common in western churches.

As someone who has left the church, tried to go back, and had to leave again because of the systemic rejection of women, queer, and anyone “other” this is a breath of fresh air and safe community to explore scripture and continue to grow into my best self - not who the church has over and over told me I must be.

by Lindsey7607

I’ve been staying up to date with Our Bible and I’m thrilled that it is finally here. This is going to be a wonderful resource for so many Christians who find themselves on the margins. I’m really happy with OurBible in its final state. Things feel much smoother and more intuitive than they did when OurBible was in beta. I will say that the only thing I’d like to see is a way to interact with other readers, whether that’s via message boards or through some external app.

Keep up the good work and thank you for all you do!

by Ange82

OurBible has blessed me in so many ways.
I grew up being taught that everything in the Bible is God stamp of approval. I’d been doing a lot of digging deeper into the text and asking the hard questions and my eyes were opened. Now I see clearly and the God the (Devine) that created me...loves me in a way I thought wasn’t possible or aware of this version of the Bible app has helped me in this journey!! So glad for resources like this!!