Customer Reviews

The Word of Promise Old Testament Audio Bible

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the only old testament bible that you need. It is by far the best old testament audio bible to ever come out, and it leaves off where the word of promise new testament stopped (which came out in 2007). From what I have listened to so far in the old testament series, the characters, animated scenes, and music make this a high class performance. Included is a bonus DVD of the making of this series, and the developers talked about the 9,000 hours of work they put into it, and that there was no way that they could finish the old testament in a year even if they worked 24 hours a day, and if you listen you'll understand why. The bible truly comes alive. There are no monotone voices (Such as the Bible Alive New Living Translation Series, which came out in 2003). Each voice is unique and doesnt sound boring. Listen to a sample on the word of promise website and you will be truely impressed, just look it up online in a search engine, and it will come right up. I've so far put 31 of the 62 cds onto my computer and then they will all go on my mp3 player so I'll have both the old and new testament word of promise where ever I go. Go biking, running, or for a walk and try to learn a new part of the bible, what a great idea. You'll get through a chapter in a matter of minutes, and have it all acted out for you with breathtaking music. What an amazing gift for a christmas or birthday gift also, for someone that doesnt like to read but wants to and should experience ancient, important stories of the bible. In church the bible sometimes sounds boring and its hard to learn with so many people together. When you choose to listen to it this way, you are the one that chooses any chapter for yourself, and you can skip from track to track, unlike in church where only a few chapters are presented each day. And after you listen to it, and when you are in church, you'll have a whole new understanding of the scriptures! I'm not someone who goes to church every week, or who knows everything about the bible, but I'm learning every day. You have to start somewhere. Just give it a try for youself, and you will be impressed. People spend hundreds of dollars on useless things, and this price pales in comparison. Its also an investment that will be with you the rest of your life.

This is an outstanding Audio production that blows the Bible Experience out of the water. Allow me to explain why.

1. The actors are better. From the most important roles, (Jesus, Paul, Moses), to the minor roles, (Pilot, Abel, Ebed-Melech), the acting is superb. There are only a couple of places where the actors should have showed more emotion, but these occurrences are few and far between. The Bible Experience contained good acting, but they weren't quite as good as the actors in the WOP.

2. The sound effects are better. The Bible Experience tends to overdo the sound effects, which can be distracting. This is okay, but it tends to drive me crazy. The Word of Promise has sound effects sprinkled throughout, but they're never overdone.

3. The music is much better. The differences here are night and day. The Bible Experience will sometimes throw in some rock, techno, and African beats. This is not right for the Bible IMO. The Word of Promise, on the other hand, contains orchestral scores that are moving and always fit the mood of the event.

4. The NKJV is much more accurate than the TNIV. This is huge. The TNIV is so modernized that precious truths become watered down. In fact, some NT passages just sound really soft and flakey. The NKJV is a word for word translation that is very accurate and easy to read.


Please don't misunderstand me. I love the Bible Experience and will continue to listen to it from time to time, but when it's compared to the Word of Promise, it ceases to be great. If you're thinking about purchasing a dramatized audio Bible that stays true to the original texts, please go with the Word of Promise. This is a product you don't want to miss. I will now rate the performance of the actors, music, and production values.

Martin Jarvis as the voice of God: 10/10
Mr. Jarvis was the perfect choice for this role. I never grow tired of his deep bass voice. A lot of time and effort is required for this role, and Martin Jarvis did not disappoint.

Michael York as narrator: 10/10
They couldn't have picked a better person for this job. Mr. York has an amazing voice that fits the mood of the Bible. He even pronounces the names correctly and makes it sound effortless. What a tremendous accomplishment!

Stacy Keach as Job: 10/10
Really, Mr. Keach's performance in the WOP is off the chart. I can't tell you how good it is, you'll just have to hear it for yourself.

Richard Dreyfuss as Moses: 8/10
Personally, I've never watched the Ten Commandments, so I can give an objective review here. Mr. Dreyfuss is a great actor, and his portrayal of Moses is, I believe, very accurate. The only problem I have with his acting is in the book of Deuteronomy. At times, his voice gets a little flat, but this doesn't occur too often. Overall, he does an admirable job in the WOP.

Gary Sinise as David: 10/10
Wow...is all I can say. Really, I didn't know what to think when I heard that Gary Sinise was playing this role, but now I realize that he is the perfect person for this part. What an outstanding performance! He shows the right amount of emotion in all instances.

Jason Alexander as Joseph: 10/10
I can't think of anything that I didn't like about Jason Alexander's performance as Joseph. This is a stong, flawless performance.

Jon Voight as Abraham: 8/10
His performance is flawless, but I can't really think of anything that sets his portrayal of Abraham apart from others.

Marcia Gay Harden as Esther: 8/10
Excellent performance overall, but I think she could have showed a little more emotion on the banquet scene. However, this will not bother anyone who hasn't heard Angela Bassett play this role in the Bible Experience.

Malcolm McDowell as Solomon: 10/10
Only Solomon himself could have done better. Incredible voice, great acting ability, and a sense for the dramatic, Mr. McDowell proves that he is one of the best actors out there with this performance. Awesome, is all I can say.

Music by Stefano Mainetti: 10/10
Even Yanni himself couldn't have done any better. Each orchestral score is incredible and just downright moving. The music always adds to, but never takes away from the event.

Production by Carl Amari: 10/10
Mr. Amari obviously has great respect for God's word. The production is amazing. The time, effort, and energy that went into this is incredible, to say the least. Thank you, Mr. Amari for an incredible product that will minister to people until the return of Jesus Christ.

Please buy this product. Even if you're not a Christian, you will thoroughly enjoy this as an unbelievable work of art. More important that the actors, music, and production value is the words of life found in the pages of the greatest book of all time. You should purchase this product for that reason alone. Do yourself a favor, and buy the Word of Promise today.

The guys who made The Word of Promise for the New Testament have done it again! This set is a work of art and brings the Old Testament alive like I have never even read it before!I loaded it on my MP3 player and I listen to it to and from work everyday. I find myself getting lost in the stories that I have read a dozen times but I am falling in love with them all over again.I have already bought another set to give to my brother who would NEVER READ THE BIBLE but he will listen to these discs! I hope God blesses the production company and the product so that it helps to spread the Word of God to a whole new group of people who would otherwise never hear it!

This item is well recorded, and has an excellent sound. It really brings the bible to life. My only complaint is that the file formatting on some of the disc are bad when you transfer it to your computer in order to play it on your IPod or other MP3 player. I found this similiar problem with the New Testament Version. Other than that I am really enjoying it. Thanks for creating this great work in NKJV....

After having thoroughly enjoyed the Word of Promise New Testament on CD for 3 years now, it was with great anticipation I picked up the Old Testament. The New Testament version comes in a VERY NICE zipper bound holder with net-like webbing to secure and hold each individual CD. A very nice touch. On the other hand the newly released Old Testament version comes in a box with 62 CD's, with each one simply stuck in a cheap paper jacket, all jammed together in a box. A HUGE disappointment compared to the packaging Thomas Nelson used in the packaging of their New Testament version.

I also have the Bible Alive bible on CD (New Living Translation) by Tyndale that comes packaged in an extremely nice leather bound case containing both the Old and New Testaments and it has been used on a regular basis for over 5 years now and shows no signs of wear whatsoever. While I certainly wasn't expecting the newly released Word of Promise Old Testament to have a leather case, since the New Testament didn't come that way, I certainly wasn't expecting a box of 62 CD's all jammed together in a box with each CD stuck in cheap paper envelope either.

So I had to go to Best Buy in search of a CD holder so I could organize them. No one wants to have to go picking through a plethora of paper wrapped CD's in order to locate the particular book or text they're searching for; not to mention if it were ever dropped or fell over. Imagine the fun of having to reorganize 62 CD's! Now if Thomas Nelson could do an admirable job of packaging the New Testament then why not the Old Testament?

On a positive note, I will say that listening to the Bible in the New King James Version is a genuine pleasure with well chosen words that explain the context in an eye opening manner.

I listen to this in the car...it is so realistic I have doubted it was actual text from the Bible...but I checked my Bible and it is the text as written. It is so well made and acted out that it seems like you are right there! Listening vs. reading keeps my interest and I hear things I may not have picked up on by reading.

I bought the Word of Promise New Testament in 2007 and decided to write a review for the Old Testament in a sort of companion to my first review. I purchased this product a few months ago late 2009. I went back to purchase more for friends and family.
This is by far the best Old Testament Audio cd version of the Bible ever made! I am very familiar with many Audio Bible recordings but nothing matches this one!
The narration is completely smooth and each particular Book or Author of the Bible has a chosen actor who is complimentary to each particular Biblical Patriarch or Bible Character. The (over 600) actors involved in the project are seemingly handpicked so much that definate age and youth (as found in the accuracy of texts)are taken into consideration for each Biblical book. The orchestra is unmatched by any I have ever heard, so much that you begin to look forward to the varied pieces. It is never distracting but always a complementary sound to each Book or change in theme.
Ive also noticed the sound quality (imagination definately used) has subtle effects like the sound of birds, water, changes in weather, joy, sadness, war etc. Its a pleasure to listen to and has the capacity to pull the listener in!
My youngest son is captivated when this particular Bible is playing and becomes very attentive.
This is also a treasure for anyone distracted in reading and on a personal note, someone I know with ADD has begun absorbing and learning Biblical passages that they struggled to remember or hold attention to.
I would recommend this product to everyone interested in furthering their Biblical understanding and enjoyment of the Scriptures. Lastly word for word through the New King James gives the opportunity to memorize scripture staying true to the text, and listening enjoyment...
Wonderful packaging, and case dividers for easy access of Scripture placing.
10/10
Elizabeth Schnell

This is hands down the best audio bible I have ever heard. Carl Amari should be commended for a phenomenal effort. It is a delight to the ear. It is well-paced, but does not rush. The true test is if you can enjoy hearing Leviticus read -- and with this presentation you can. The music, narration and dramatization making this an exciting rendition worthy of God's Word. Michael York was a terrific choice as a narrator and Martin Jarvis as God. All of the actors are first rate and put their heart into it.

My only criticism might be that I wish a more ecumenical translation had been selected, such as the Revised Standard Version that included the option of purchasing the 7 books of the Catholic Bible as well. But Catholics will still love this (many of the actors are Catholic) and I encourage them to get it

Having heard The Word Of Promise New Testament Audio Bible, I was impressed with the dramatic quality of it, and couldn't wait till the Old Testament was released. I finished listening to the Old Testament last week, and I'm impressed. The voice cast (with the major exceptions of Richard Dreyfuss as Moses and Malcolm McDowell, aka Caligula, as King Solomon) are pitch perfect in their roles. There are three gripes I have with this presentation, though. For one, Genesis 1:1 is inaccurate: "In the beginning, God created the heavens [it's plural] and the earth." The third heaven already existed, it always did. What God created in Genesis 1:1 was outer space, followed by the earth's atmosphere a few verses later. check the King James Version. Secondly, the actor playing God has been changed (it was Terence Stamp in the New Testament, and Martin Jarvis [voice of the Sheriff in the PS2 game "Robin Hood: Defender Of The Crown"] here; though both are good as God, Jarvis is more convincing). Thirdly, there's only one person who could play Moses: Charlton Heston. Sadly, he either wasn't offered the role of Moses in The Word Of Promise Old & New Testament before his death or he died before he could record his lines. Dreyfuss came across as angry all the time, and even somewhat menacing; as if he was reading like he had a gun at his head. I HATED him as Moses. Also, casting the star of a porno ("Caligula") was a big mistake. There's no way that I could believe that David, who had no British accent, had a son who had a British accent. Gary Sinise and Jason Alexander gave standout performances here, very convincing, as were Jon Voight, Stacy Keach, Oded Fehr and Martin Jarvis. Marcia Gay Harden was also miscast as Esther. They should have gone with Tiffany Dupont, who was absolutely radiant as Esther in "One Night With The King." Great improvement on Isaiah 14:12, rendering it correctly: "How are you fallen from heaven, Lucifer, son of the morning..." In different NKJV's and other modern translations, the name "Lucifer" is taken out and replaced with "Morning-star" or "Day-Star" which clearly refers to Jesus Christ. One last thing, having a woman (Linda Kimbrough, in the Old Testament and the New Testament) play Satan? totally inappropriate. that worked for Mel Gibson's reverent and blockbuster film "The Passion Of The Christ," because you never know it's a woman until you check the cast list either on the Internet or in the end credits, but it's so obvious here.

I bought this for my Mom who is vision impaired and she loves being able to hear the
bible, now that she can no longer read! Well done and it's great to hear so many wonderful voices telling the stories of the bible.