BOOK REVIEW; Word of Promise Next Generation Audio Bible

Basic Info:

Title: Word of Promise Dramatized New Testament: Next Generation (NKJV)
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Year: 2008
ISBN-10: 9780851519685
ISBN-13: 9781400313303
Language: English
Format: MP3 CD
Reading Level: 2.0
Price: $34.99 retail

Josh Gelatt’s Review: Audio Bibles have been popular for some time. Currently those wishing to purchase an audio bible can choose between two "types". The first is the single-reader audio bibles, performed by men such as Max McLean, Marquis Laughlin, and James Earl Jones. These can be very powerful if one happens to like the voice rendition of the individual reader. Considering the many different genres of Scripture, it is understandable that a single author would do well in one type of literature (e.g. Paul's letters) and poorly in another (e.g. Revelations). The second choice is the multiple-reader audio bibles, which are generally referred to a "dramatized" because of their use of different voices for the various characters within Scripture.

The product currently being reviewed is essentially a youth version of the Word of Promise Dramatized New Testament. The "grown up" version features voice artists such as Richard Dreyfuss, Lou Gossett Jr, Luke Perry, Lou Diamond Philipps, and many others. The Next Generation Version features mostly teenage actors/actresses.

As with all dramatized audio bibles, the performances are mixed. The Narrator (Sean Astin) did a phenomenal job. In fact, I could have listened to him read the entire New Testament. Andrew Lawrence (Matthew) was simply excellent. Marshall Allman's performance as Paul was perhaps forced, but I felt he captured the intensity and zeal of the apostle as well his deep piety. Negatively, Cody Linley offered us a Jesus who sounded timid and naive, though with a tender monotone. Each book includes an informative introductions by Max Lucado and his daughter, Jenna Lucado.

Although the adult version utilizes the New King James Version, I could not detect the use of any established Bible version in the Next Generation Version. Neither the CD nor the Website contained any reference to the version, and I can only surmize it was a contemporized text produced for this recording.

Of the many reviews I saw online, I noticed no discussion regarding the appropriateness of using non-believers to read portions of Scripture. As with the adult version, most of the artists come from Hollywood. Many of the individuals selected hold beliefs and lifestyles that are decidedly non-biblical, and some are actually antagonistic against Christian belief. While some youth may in fact listen to this recording because a character from Hanna Montana is one of the voices, we must remember the knife cuts both ways. In the long run, such blurred lines will also lead to an embracing of the lifestyles Hollywood portrays.

However, we must not be too dogmatic in this area. In Philippians 1:17 Paul notes that "whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice". While I may not approve of using those who disregard Scripture, I certainly will not oppose it. Christ has been preached, and that is cause to rejoice (though I do wish Thomas Nelson would use more discernment in the future).

The Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament is a valuable resource and will undoubtedly serve as a vehicle to get the Word of God into the minds and hearts of our children.

Physical Copy: Set includes 4 cd's housed in a single case weighing 5.6 ounces. Product dimensions are 5.6 x 0.9 inches.