Customer Reviews

James Earl Jones Reads the Bible - New Testament

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This production(CD version) has the necessary elements expected in a high-quality product of its kind: a superb narrator with the golden voice and lightly-orchestrated background hymns. Indeed, most of the time, Jones has the right touch in the execution of his reading of this most sacred Book. The background music can be distracting at times, but even it has a gentle ambiance that one would wish for. However, there is something wrong that overshadows these fine qualities.

This recording has an unfortunate and dangerous habit of omitting and adding passages to the books of the Bible. Examples: first half of John 3:17 -a key passage from the instruction to Nicodemus is missing, and the first half of Revelation 3:9 is repeated. What makes this worse is that these are Jesus Christ's words, in addition to the warning given in Rev. 22:19. This also does not take into account the countless add/omit/changes of individual words throughout the books, and I have not read through the whole New Testament with this production. I may seem nit-picky and overly-strict to some, but this Book is sacred, and this should not be treated like some recitation of C.S. Lewis or whatever. That is why, traditionally, not just anyone could attempt to translate the Bible from the original manuscripts- to avoid errors similar to this situation. I don't know who is more to blame: perhaps Jones, but it seems ultimately the editor and producer(s).

As I mentioned earlier, had this disturbing problem not been a factor, I would give this product a high rating. But no matter how polished and appealing it may seem when marketed, it all comes down to the careful and fearfully holy treatment of the Bible text.

As an avid reader of the Bible, I've listened to several different audio renditions of the Good Book. There are a lot of them out there -- various translations, various readers. But this reading of the New Testament by James Earl Jones is one of the very best in my opinion.

His rolling baritone voice and Shakesperian delivery are perfect for the hoary old King James Version. Unlike so many other taped Bibles, he doesn't try to dramatize the story. And he doesn't have that irritating "announcer voice" I've found on a couple of audio Bibles. Rather, he uses his voice as an exquisite tool to softly sing the lyrical words so lovingly crafted by the translators of 1611.

It truly becomes a soothing, spiritual experience to hear the shades of meaning he brings out. And frankly, his reading of the much-explained Book of Revelation made me see it in a new, almost poetic light.

Frankly, the only other audio Bible I'd rank up there with Jones' is Alexander Scourby's great reading of the King James. None of the others come close to these two. Scourby's is perhaps superior only in that he also reads through the enire Old Testament as well. If James Earl Jones ever performs that feat, I will surely purchase that (from Amazon, of course!) as well.

For all of you "searching for the truth and meaning of life" I think sooner or later everyone should sit down and read the Bible just to know what it has to say. For most, we don't have time and think,"I can't understand it anyway." I was looking for something like Bible interpretation for Dummies when I found this. I was not raised in a "go to church every Sunday" family. This tape set is perfect. James Earl Jones is the best for this with his distinguised voice. SO if you are a college graduate, I believe you will have no problem listening and understanding most of this without a book of intepretations. And the music is fine and does not overpower this great man's powerful voice.I wish they had it on CD!

James Earl Jones does a fantastic job narrating the new testament. His speech rate is excellent. His voice wonderful.
I found the readings so comfortable to listen to.
I only wish that he was a reader for the Old Testament as well.

Make no mistake friends. James Earl Jones' voice is well suited for narrating this GREAT book. But alas, I could not keep from being highly annoyed by some genuinely insipid background music. Must we endure shoddy music everywhere these days? Please get rid of the music. Mr. Jones has an excellent voice that does NOT need support from mediocre instrumentation. I am very saddened to rate this a three-star.

UPDATE 11/28/2011 - Since my review of the cassette version of "James Earl Jones Reads the Bible" below, I have also purchased the complete KJV Bible on CD with narration of the Old Testament by Alexander Scourby and narration of New Testament by James Earl Jones. The CD version by Jones is exactly the same as the cassette version. I still listen to and enjoy all the CDs on a regular basis.

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I really enjoy the entire "James Earl Jones Reads the Bible," although it consists of the New Testament only. The readings never grow old or fail to bring a sense of peace and calmness into our home. While the the music may be "synthesized" (?), it is barely audible and fades soothingly into the background. The music and Jones' Shakespearean voice blend well as he slowly articulates each word, his voice subdued and detached-like. He doesn't attempt to project himself into the reading but lets the reading speak for itself. I sometimes wonder if the reading of God's sacred Word had as profound an effect on Mr. Jones as it does me whenever I listen to him read it, which is often. In my opinion, there is no voice on earth as mesmerizing and beautiful as his. I wish he would hurry up and do a rendering of the books of Psalms and Proverbs as well.

I am on the road a lot and it benefits me greatly to listen to the New Testament while driving. The soothing voice reading and the background of classical Christian hymns uplifts my spirit and keeps my mind on what is really important, so I do not get angry at other drivers. That is a good thing!!

This was the worst recording of the bible I can imagine! I'm not picky, but this made my skin crawl!! The background music is hideous and almost never stops. And James Earl Jones doesn't use his beautiful voice well! He speaks in a monotone, and seems to be trying to put the listener to sleep. I don't often return things, but this is an exception. I suggest you don't waste your money (unless you enjoy the Bible read as a lullaby)!!

tapes are great and just what i wanted. at first there was a problem, but figured out it was the new cd player i had bought from amazon at the same time. i bought a better cd and tapes are great.