Audiobibles and the 2nd Commandment

[erickinho1bra]

Do you guys consider a dramatic reading of the Bible in an audio bible to be a violation of the 2nd commandment if there is a separate voice actor to do Jesus' voice? I know it's not an image but it feels weird to have someone almost "play" the role of Christ in the audio bible.
If yes, why? And would your answer differ if it was just one person doing the dramatic reading and not giving any one particular person the "role of Jesus"?
If not, why not?

Similarly, what would you think of a movie about Moses where a voice actor plays the voice of God talking to Moses?

 

[Polanus1561]

Why separate the words of Jesus and God speaking to someone and the other words of the bible like a Psalm where David wrote down the Word of God?

 

[MyCrows]

I would find it distracting with the audiobible, though I'm not sure I would 2CV. Definitely agree it would feel weird.

In the instance of the singular voice actor, do you mean one actor changing his voice for the portions of scripture spoken by Jesus?

I am increasingly unimpressed with movies the more time goes by, and while I know that NO voice actor can capture the splendor of the thundering waters that is the voice of the Lord, I don't think I would consider it a 2CV either.

However... our hearts can make an idol out of anything, even a voice.

 

[ZackF]

Similarly, what would you think of a movie about Moses where a voice actor plays the voice of God talking to Moses?

As long as he is quoting scripture I don’t care.

 

[erickinho1bra]

Why separate the words of Jesus and God speaking to someone and the other words of the bible like a Psalm where David wrote down the Word of God?

That is a good question but not exactly the point I was trying to get at with my question. In the audiobible I've listened to each person in the narrative gets a voice actor. Jesus' words are dramatically voiced by a specific actor just like other people such as John the Baptizer and Mary have their respective voice actors.

I would find it distracting with the audiobible, though I'm not sure I would 2CV. Definitely agree it would feel weird.

In the instance of the singular voice actor, do you mean one actor changing his voice for the portions of scripture spoken by Jesus?

I am increasingly unimpressed with movies the more time goes by, and while I know that NO voice actor can capture the splendor of the thundering waters that is the voice of the Lord, I don't think I would consider it a 2CV either.

However... our hearts can make an idol out of anything, even a voice.

That is very helpful. I appreciate your reply!

I haven't really heard a single voice actor doing the voice switching thing but would that make a difference to your reply? What if a father wanted to do a dramatic reading of the gospels to his family during family worship? Do you think it would be okay to do a different voice for each of the characters including Christ?

And amen to the statement that we can make an idol out of anything!

 

[Theoretical]

I would tend to find it engaging but also distracting more than anything. I'm pretty absolutist on the 2nd Commandment prohibition on images of God so I would personally avoid it. I could live with the same male voice and same female voice saying the respective passages in a non-dramatic way.

 

[Jeri Tanner]

I listen to Alexander Scourby reading the Scripture and I don’t like that he’ll often add his own “interpretation” by speaking the words of Christ with certain inflections, sometimes with a resigned or almost exasperated tone. Not a big fan of this and usually don’t agree with that interpretation of how our Lord would have spoken the words. I hadn’t quite considered whether it’s sinful… interesting.

 

[Laborer for the Lord]

I listen to Alexander Scourby reading the Scripture and I don’t like that he’ll often add his own “interpretation” by speaking the words of Christ with certain inflections, sometimes with a resigned or almost exasperated tone. Not a big fan of this and usually don’t agree with that interpretation of how our Lord would have spoken the words. I hadn’t quite considered whether it’s sinful… interesting.

As providence would have it, I also listen to Scourby's recorded readings of Scripture, usually while on a brisk walk. For me, his familiarity with the language of the KJV and the intonation and solemnity that he brings to bear on the text allows me to really 'hone in' on what is being relayed. I haven't yet had the opportunity to sample his NT recordings, so I can't say much as to his interpretive rendering of the Lord's tone.

I also own a copy of the Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible; each disciple or person in the narrative has his or her own actor. When I was still new to the faith, I listened to it many a time so as to gain a basic familiarity with the NT as a whole, and I wasn't pricked by conscience regarding Neal McDonough's dramatization of Jesus. But to be fair, I'm the type of person who listens intently while exercising, so audio resources have been a unique way in which the LORD has been pleased to edify me and enrich my understanding of the faith. I rarely listen to it nowadays, as my studies tend to be more exegetical or expository rather than cursory listening.

I would personally follow one's conscience as regards whether or not a resource commends itself to you. The LORD knows our hearts and He has given us His Spirit to guide us along in our bearing fruit to His glory. The fact that I see no obvious 2CV in an audio dramatization does not mean that others won't.

 

[Polanus1561]

If our voice in our head gets too dramatic... is it a sin? Is a bit of intensity narrating "Depart from me Satan" a sin?

 

[No Other Name]

I never once thought for one second when listening to audio KJV that it was even remotely a 2CV. Not once in my entire life. I cannot even wrap my head around this.

If any brother asked me this question in real life, I think I would just ask for more details like "What exactly do you mean you feel like this could be a 2CV?" and listen carefully for any ideas on how to even begin to reply.

 

[ZackF]

I never once thought for one second when listening to audio KJV that it was even remotely a 2CV. Not once in my entire life. I cannot even wrap my head around this.

If any brother asked me this question in real life, I think I would just ask for more details like "What exactly do you mean you feel like this could be a 2CV?" and listen carefully for any ideas on how to even begin to reply.

My only concern would be using non-biblical words from God. That isn't an issue with reading the Bible. I don’t care for a lot of the campiness in some dramatic readings or the forced, over the top crescendos. Many, seemingly most, Spanish audio versions have this. Frustrating.

I think there *may* be a place for some music as it can help with memorization of which I am terrible at sticking to anyway.

 

[Jake]

I'm partial to Max McLean's recordings of the Bible. He's got a great voice for it and is not overly dramatic. He's also a PCA member so you don't have to worry about the recording being done by a heretic.

That being said, I think it is fine as long as the words are only the words of Scripture which they are in the case of an audiobible.

 

[alexanderjames]

The focus should be on how we individually receive the word of God we are hearing. If whatever you are listening to leads you into temptation to irreverence or unbelief then find another means to hear the word of God. Otherwise, I see no issue.

Jeremiah Burroughs is helpful in hearing the word of God in his book “Gospel Worship”.

 

[Ed Walsh]

Do you guys consider a dramatic reading of the Bible in an audio bible to be a violation of the 2nd commandment if there is a separate voice actor to do Jesus' voice? I know it's not an image, but it feels weird to have someone almost "play" the role of Christ in the audio bible.
If yes, why? And would your answer differ if it was just one person doing the dramatic reading and not giving any one particular person the "role of Jesus"?
If not, why not?

Similarly, what would you think of a movie about Moses where a voice actor plays the voice of God talking to Moses?

Greetings,

There was a similar post by @JeffR a short while ago titled,

"What Kind of Classical Music Goes
Well with your Reformed Readings?"​

To which I replied,

"As far as I'm concerned, I don't want any music, particularly music somebody else would pick out, that may influence a mood in which the Spirit is guiding me in a completely different direction."

"Now, Sinclair Ferguson is doing a complete reading of the Confession, or is it the Larger Catechism? I forget. The point is he's got some canned soft music in the background. I need to return the book with my recommendation that they provide a copy with the music turned off. Which is the only way I would care to listen to the Confessions and Scripture proofs."

I also wrote this reply to somebody who thought I had it in big time for music: that I thought music was wrong when mixed with spiritual things. Well, there is such a thing as good music and bad music, righteous music and evil music. There is no neutrality.

Thank you Ed, you make this appear to be the only proper way to read seriously.

I replied:

Hey Jeff,

I'm really not against music. I drench myself in the Psalms often before I pray. And then we have Elisha calling for the minstruals and going into a trance. I want God to take my mood and bring it to His throne and His glorious Three Persons. I often sing my prayers, too. That is when I'm not crying.

I just take exception to somebody else picking some mood he likes and applying it to me and me trying to get into it and get all confused. Well, that's how I feel.

Ed

 

[KMK]

It sounds like the audio version of a Red Letter edition. I don't care for either.