The Bible Experience is a unique product. Featuring a unique cast, it offers what is surely a unique recording of the Bible.
Hear the words of the Bible brought to life like never before. Inspired By...The Bible Experience: New Testament Audio CD is a fully-dramatized reading of the Bible performed by an unprecedented ensemble of distinguished African-American actors, musicians, and personalities. The cast, including recognizable voices as Denzel Washington, Blair Underwood, and Angela Bassett, reads the Bible using the accessible and trusted Today’s New International Version (TNIV).
While people commonly speak of attempts to "bring the Bible to life," I object to using this expression in connection with Scripture. After all, Hebrews 4:12 tells us that Scripture is already alive: "the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." While people who speaking of "bringing the Bible to life" may not necessarily be making a statement about the nature of the word of God, I do feel it is best to avoid this kind of careless language lest we feel that the Bible, read with expression or dramatized, is somehow more living and more active than the Bible read quietly or silently.
That small critique aside, this product is really just a recording of the Bible (in the TNIV version) read by an ensemble cast of popular African American actors, musicians and other celebrities. It is "lightly dramatized" meaning that it is read with a good deal of passion and expression, and there are ambient noises, crowd reactions, and so on. Unlike versions of Scripture read by a single narrator (think Max McLean reading the ESV), this one has different actors reading the words of the different biblical characters.
Inspired By...The Bible Experience breaks new ground in the presentation of the Bible. Unique among audio Bible productions, Inspired By...The Bible Experience is a captivating performance of the Bible presented by an ensemble of today's-top name artists, musicians, directors, and award-winning producers.Inspired By...The Bible Experience features a cross-generational and cross-cultural roster of talent that connects a wide variety of entertainment genres and personalities. With nearly 200 celebrities and notable personalities recorded to date, this historic production features stars from across the entertainment spectrum.
Cast members include:
- Samuel L. Jackson as the voice of God
- Blair Underwood as Jesus
- Denzel Washington as the Lover of the Song of Solomon and his wife as the Beloved.
- Angela Bassett as Esther
- Cuba Gooding Jr. as Judas
The New Testament is currently available in stores and will be followed in 2007 by the Old Testament. In all, the cast numbers over 200, all of whom are African American celebrities. It is available digitally or on CD.
I did not listen to the entire series of CDs (there are nineteen of them for the New Testament) but the portions I did listen to, primarily from the gospels, were really quite well done. This product is certainly different, but I can see nothing inherently wrong with it! There were some strange moments, and there is something more than a little strange about hearing voices that are well-known though in far different contexts. Still, the recording is done well and the dramatizations are really quite good. This isn't a product I am likely to use very often, but I can understand its appeal. I certainly hope it can find a market and that the words of Scripture can go beyond the ears of those who hear it, beyond the mouths of those who read it, and penetrate their hearts, just as we would hope and expect for words that are living, active and sharper than any two-edged sword.
Comments (21) »
1. Phil Perkins
January 20, 2007
4:44 PM
Tim,
Why do you think it ‘s okay to puff a gender altered translation like the TNIV?
Very disappointed,
Phil Perkins.
2. Blake
January 20, 2007
5:09 PM
it’s not people who ‘bring the Bible to life’ but it’s exactly the other way around!
3. Tim Challies
January 20, 2007
5:22 PM
“Why do you think it ‘s okay to puff a gender altered translation like the TNIV?”
I didn’t say that I would recommend using this for devotional or church purposes. And neither is it intended for that. I’m certainly not a fan of the TNIV, but don’t have a huge problem with it being used in this format. Similarly, I don’t much like The Message, but in certain circumstances I don’t mind it, as long as it’s not used for serious study.
4. Phil Perkins
January 20, 2007
5:42 PM
Tim,
Thanks for the timely response. Here is the problem: Christians are never to have anything to do with anyone who misrepresents what God has said—Deut. 18, Prov. 30:5-6, Deut. 4:2, etc.
According to the Scripture we lie when we knowingly change the Scripture. It is a lie when you use it for devotions, and it is a lie when you record it and sell it.
The TNIV is a lie put out by Zondervan. They lied about it when they introduced it by putting out the kids’ version first without warning parents and churches. Zondervan seems to have a gender agenda. Read this article on another Zondervan publication for more info on the Zondervan slant:
http://dontadddontsubtract.blogspot.com/2007/01/expose-of-zondervan-handbook-to-bible.html
Purity, Tim, purity.
In Christ,
Phil Perkins.
5. brad the barber
January 20, 2007
6:49 PM
I like Your web site. Agree on most stuff you say except the “TNIV conterversy” My son bought me this for Christmas and they, both of my sons, Love it and listen to it going to bed every night. I can not think of a better way of mediating on the Word day and night than this product and Listening to Sameul Jackson in Hebrews is wild and listening to Revelations will scare the you know what out of you, and uplift you to know that GOD wins in the end. I have not listened to all of this but have listened to Matt. Mark, Luke, John, Romans, Hebrews 1st John and Revelation. I highly recommend this. I sorry the guy before feels lied to but we are all liars in need of a Saviour.
6. Brian @ voiceofthesheep
January 20, 2007
9:03 PM
Regardless of what the motivations for this production are, or even what the eternal destiny is for those who have participated in it or helped to make it…
“in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice” - Phil. 1:18
7. Frank
January 20, 2007
9:09 PM
Christians ministered to by the non-christian entertainers - I think this is what is happening in many liberal churches of the day. Very sad indeed.
8. B. Minich
January 20, 2007
10:06 PM
I object to one of the castings here. Sameul L. Jackson shouldn’t be the voice of God: that job belongs to Morgan Freeman, and him alone. No, don’t try to argue, it is unacceptable at this juncture.
9. bondservant
January 20, 2007
11:08 PM
Well said, Phil and Frank. I fear so much for the Church at large…the slide into rank apostasy grows quicker by the day. It seems on a regular basis now one wakes up and sees more formerly-devoted-to-holiness Christians who have - in the name of Christian liberty - allowed a little bit more compromise into their lives. And piece by piece, inch by inch, because of the failure to live separated lives and keep themselves unspotted by the pollutions of this world, they become more and more entrenched in it’s insidious compromise. We cannot allow even a small, “insignificant” compromise to encroach upon our lives which are to be wholly devoted to God in both body and spirit. We cannot allow even one tiny Agag to remain alive in our souls, or else we may wake up one day to find our seemingly small acceptance of compromise has translated into a lukewarm soul that doesn’t even realize it has become wedded to this world.
May God grant us steadfast purity in our devotion to God.
10. Phil Perkins
January 20, 2007
11:11 PM
Brad,
God calls all liars to repent, not continue in that sin. And we are told that lying teachers are not to be allowed in—II John 10-11. Giving this stuff to your kids reminds me of the story of the millstone around the neck of anyone causing another to stumble. Why not just obey the Lord? Do you really think He will go for these excuses?
In Christ,
Phil Perkins.
11. Phil Perkins
January 20, 2007
11:14 PM
Bonservant,
“…formerly-devoted-to-holiness Christians …”
Now THAT’s well said! Can I quote you? I’d love to work that quote up into an article. Or would you like to?
Great phrasing!
Phil Perkins.
12. bondservant
January 20, 2007
11:19 PM
Phil,
Absolutely — I look forward to reading it.
13. Nick
January 20, 2007
11:51 PM
D.A. Carson rocks hard! D.A. Carson is not a liar! He uses the TNIV! I don’t like it that much but I don’t think we should call it a lying Bible! I am not the most educated person in the world but having read it, I think we can call it the Word of God. Just like we can call the Septuagint the Word of God. I know there are a ton of objections but I personally don’t think that those who promote it are liars.
14. david
January 20, 2007
11:59 PM
OK, that’s quite enough the TNIV and liars and such. Now let’s cool it a little. If you search this site, you’ll find what Tim has written previously on the TNIV. It’s not exactly glowing praise.
I have no praise for the TNIV either, but let’s not get argumentive about it. I’m turning in now, but if I wake up and this is still a problem, I’m closing comments.
15. brad the barber
January 21, 2007
12:37 AM
Phil
You win. I will stick to Proverbs 17:28 for my further guidance here on out thank you for your kind gentle rebuke.
16. Luke
January 21, 2007
12:46 AM
I have the NLT on audio…I consider the TNIV on the same lines. I don’t consider it a translation; if we can understand that it is not a translation and treat it much like we do the comments in the lower half of our study bibles then there is no issue.
I love listening to the NLT dramatized version when driving. I am sure the TNIV is done just as well!
I do have one question (as long as it can be answered per David’s request) about the TNIV. I can’t remember if this is accurate so maybe someone can help me. I do not own a copy of the TNIV to check myself.
I was in the book store one day and decided to see what all the hub-bub is about and opened it up. I was shocked to see no chapters and no verses…no big deal, just shocked. I found Romans and read something like the following:
“Nothing can seperate us from the love of Christ Jesus.
I beseech you therefore brethren on behalf of the mercy of God…”
Now, in my Bible the first sentence would be the last verse in Romans 8 and the next sentence would be the first verse in Romans 12…it appeared to me that they simply skipped Romans 9-11, not suprising (most do that anyway even though it is actually in their version!), but still quite disappointing!
Am I recollecting the TNIV or is that some other version? If anyone happens to know, why did they leave it out? (And please don’t attempt to diagnose their hearts, please only answer this if you know the actual reason!)
17. Phil Perkins
January 21, 2007
1:35 AM
Brad,
I apologize. I was pretty short and rough. Please just consider all that Scripture says about never supporting or including false teachers, never bringing false teaching in, and how God looks at those who change the Word.
God bless. Have a great Sunday.
In Christ,
Phil Perkins.
18. Tim Challies
January 21, 2007
8:40 AM
Look, the TNIV is not a Bible I would use or recommend using for personal devotions or serious study. However, it is still the Bible, even if it is a less-than-stellar translation. Were I thrown into prison, I’d far rather have a TNIV than nothing. As for this product, sure I’d rather they read the ESV, but they chose the TNIV instead and that’s not the end of the world.
19. Brendt
January 21, 2007
9:33 AM
This comment thread would’ve made me stop blogging altogether. Glad you’re thicker-skinned than that, Tim.
On a lighter note, I’ll have to agree with B. Minich’s casting assessment.
20. Jules Winfield
January 21, 2007
10:38 AM
This isn’t the first time that Samuel L. Jackson has misquoted scripture. Does anyone recall his misquote of Ezekiel 25:17 in the spiritually uplifting movie known as Pulp Fiction?
21. Phil Perkins
January 21, 2007
10:53 AM
Tim and co.,
“…less-than-stellar translation…” is not really the problem. Like the NRSV, the TNIV translators went into this project with the intent to PURPOSELY CHANGE IT IN REGARD TO GENDER.
And that’s forbidden in Scripture. I have yet to hear from someone here who has dealt with the texts I brought up. Why not? The Scripture is clear. Why not just obey it? Wouldn’t that be so simple?
And, oh—“D. A. Carson rocks hard” is not biblical reasoning.
In Christ,
Phil Perkins. PS—How could you endorse any use of the Mess by E. Peterson? It, too, is gender bigoted and adds whole clauses that are not in the text at all. Where is the standard?
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