The Bible - The Complete Word of God (abridged)

Reduced Shakespeare Company | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Uproar Entertainment
• ASIN: 1929243464
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,588 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FUNNY AS HELL, July 15, 2003

By 

S. Chatham (California) - See all my reviews

This was so funny! I have the DVD of the Complete Works of Shakespeare, so when I saw this at Borders, I had to purchase it. I love the hilarious interpretations, the tongue-in-cheek humor, and the jokes that you have to know about to understand, like:
"...which most scholars agrue is the definitive point of Genisis [the book], because they still had Peter Gabriel."
This is a must-have for anybody with even the slightest sense of humor and self!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious and Irreverent, May 9, 2007

By 

C. Gioiello "Moon Jewel" (CT, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This is not the Bible as most people remember it, and it is not for those who take the Bible seriously (though the RSC do advise that you literally take the Bible from your hotel room, that's what it's there for). Full of modern satire, witty repartee, and the type of quotes that you can annoy your friends with, it is a must for everyone who enjoys true, intellectual comedy. It is both satire and slapstick, with inside jokes for those familiar with the work of the RSC, jokes at the expense of all religions, jokes at their own expense, and great musical numbers. I thoroughly recommend it, I force all my friends to listen to it. As they say on the CD "If you didn't like it, tell your clergyman; if you liked it, tell both your friends." I've already told both my friends, so here is my review.

One last thing, here is a litmus test to see if you should listen to this recording. In the section on the miracles of Jesus, the bit goes like this: "He taught Christian fundamendalists to be tolerant! Hey, that would be a miracle!" If you found that funny, this is a CD you'll thoroughly enjoy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars mostly delightful, January 5, 2011

By 

C. Savage (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

After having listened to the Reduced Shakespeare Company's radio recordings on Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet, I decided that I would like to hear more of this style of humor. Thus, I placed "The Bible" on my wishlist and received it for Christmas. Generally speaking, this album is very funny. The rapid-fire speech, the seeming arguments and fights, the songs and the sound effects are all present and serve wonderfully to parody the Bible.

That being said, a working knowledge of the Bible (or at least its major stories) is helpful in understanding all of the humor. The songs "begattin'" and "Elijah/Elisha" are brilliant and worth downloading on iTunes even if one does not buy the entire album.

The album, though great, does not rate 5 stars because of some aspects in the middle of the album that drag a little. The pacing of the Reduced Shakespeare Company is one of its defining characteristics, and when things slow down, it is noticeable and jarring.

Overall, this album is recommended. It is child friendly, though some of the pop culture references will not be understood (i.e. Andre the Giant). Most, if not all, of the album could be used as an introduction to a Sunday School class for teens or adults with the intention of studying that aspect of Scripture to show where the comedy gets things wrong (and right).

As a religious person, one must be able to laugh at religion in order to truly enjoy this album. If religion is purely serious, this recording will be offensive in its portrayal of beloved scriptural characters and stories. For those who can laugh, pick it up. I think it's worth your time.