The Breathe Bible Audio New Testament is a vivid listening experience that transports you into the world of the Bible. Performed using the New Living Translation (NLT) by a cast of internationally acclaimed film, television, and recording artists, this captivating multi-million-dollar audio production features cinema-quality sound with an original music score. The 18-CD set also includes a code to receive the user-friendly mobile App for free.
Created by an award-winning team, this dramatic production features a cast of leading Hollywood entertainers, including Kevin Sorbo (Voice of God), Josh Lucas (Jesus), John Rhys-Davies (narrator), Ashley Judd (Mary Magdalene), Jesse McCartney (Matthew), Hill Harper (Mark), Corbin Bleu (John), Christian Stolte (Luke), Marshall Allman (John the Baptist), Wintley Phipps (Peter), and Bailee Madison (Young Mary Mother of Jesus), 600 supporting actors, a full-orchestral score, and cutting-edge sound design.
Bible Gateway interviewed Kevin Sorbo (@ksorbs) about the Breathe Bible Audio New Testament (Tyndale House, 2017).
In these divided and troubled times, how can something like the Breathe Bible play a role in making progress toward healing and greater peace in our culture?
Kevin Sorbo: Now more than ever we need God’s Word and ways to share it and engage with it. It was our vision with Breatheto create a dramatic Bible audio experience that speaks to peoples’ hearts. This is a Bible experience that people will really enjoy listening to. You’ll close your eyes and feel like you’re right there in the Bible event.
It seems that the cultural celebration of Christian holidays has become more secularized and commercial over time. How could the Breathe Bible help to make Easter more about Jesus and less about, for instance, chocolate bunnies?
Kevin Sorbo: The focus of Easter should be about Jesus coming to earth, being nailed to a cross on our behalf and rising from the dead three days later. Listening to Breathe, you’ll feel this experience and it will impact you. It’s really intense hearing the story retold through actors like Josh Lucas and feeling like you’re actually there. You hear the yelling, the chanting, the hurling of insults at Jesus before he was nailed to the cross and then you experience the astonishment and joy at the tomb. It’s an amazing audio experience.
Where did the idea for the Breathe Bible Audio New Testament come from? What was the vision for the project?
Kevin Sorbo: The producers of this project created the bestselling audio Bible made so far eight years ago and asked themselves “what can we do to take it to the next level?”. The answer kept coming back to the Bible translation. The New Living Translation (NLT) is amazingly clear and helps God’s Word come alive to the listener.
The explosive growth of technology has changed the way we live. Nearly everyone has their phone with them everywhere they go. We created the Breathe Bible so you can listen how you like. You can download the audio, get the app, or purchase the CD set and get a free app. It’s perfect to listen on your commute, during your work out, or at home. We wanted to leverage technology so that you can experience God’s Word everywhere you go.
What exactly is the Breathe Bible Audio New Testament? How is it different from what’s currently in the marketplace?
Kevin Sorbo: The Breathe Bible is an incredible Bible audio production of the New Testament that transports you into the world of the Bible. It’s performed by a cast of internationally acclaimed film, television, and recording artists complete with an original full-orchestral score. It was created utilizing the most up-to-date technology.
It’s also the first audio Bible that provides a CD set along a code to download the free app, so you can really listen how you like—whether you’re in your car, at the gym, or doing your devotions in the morning.
It’s unique in that it’s the only major Bible audio product that features the New Living Translation. The text really speaks to peoples’ hearts like nothing I’ve ever heard.
How do you foresee a listener engaging with the Breathe Bible?
Kevin Sorbo: That’s what’s so great about Breathe! If you’re a commuter like me and have to travel for work, it’s awesome to take on the go. You can listen while you’re at the gym or taking a walk or home with your kids. It’s a great way to engage with God’s Word.
Practically speaking, how can people use this audio Bible to prepare their hearts for Easter in an innovative new way? What’s the challenge you’re asking people to take with the Breathe Bible?
Kevin Sorbo: I want to challenge everyone to put Jesus back in Easter. The resurrection of Jesus is the most important event in the history of the world. But it’s become too easy to think of Easter as a spring holiday with bunnies and flowers. Instead, let’s challenge ourselves to focus on the truly important point of Easter by listening to the story of Jesus’s life on earth.
I want to challenge people to listen to the 10 Minutes with Jesus devotion available here on Bible Gateway as a free email devotional. It’s 16 chapters of the Gospel of Mark out of the Breathe Bible—one chapter a day—culminating on Easter, April 16, with the story of Jesus’ resurrection.
And it doesn’t cost a penny—and only takes 10 minutes a day. It’s great for churches, small groups, and families. So that’s my challenge to your readers—let’s put Jesus back in Easter.
In the past, not all Christian film and media have necessarily been on par with mainstream Hollywood productions. This has been a passion of yours for a while—to elevate the quality of Christian media. How did this goal play into the Breathe Bible project?
Kevin Sorbo: As you know, with my movie God’s Not Dead, one of our goals was to take Christian entertainment to a whole new level. And now with the Breathe Bible—we’re taking Bible audio to the next level.
This is an audio recording of the New Testament that includes cinema-quality audio. It features an award-winning cast of 90 internationally acclaimed film, television, and recording artists—voices like John Rhys-Davies, Josh Lucas, and so on.
The audio quality of the Breathe Bible is so good it’s almost like you’re right there in Bible times with the people who are talking.
Can you elaborate on the actors involved in the project?
Kevin Sorbo: The voice talent includes some incredible actors including Josh Lucas, John Rhys-Davies, Corbin Bleu, Christian Stolte, Hill Harper, and a lot more. They do an amazing job. One of my favorite pieces is of Corbin Bleu reading from the book of John chapter one. A clip can be heard on the BreatheBible.com It gives you a taste of the audio quality and the smoothness of the New Living Translation (NLT). Another example I love is Marshall Allman reading from John—you can immediately get a grasp of his passion playing the role of John the Baptist and hear the original score in the background.
This is the New Testament in audio form. Any plans to create the same experience with the Old Testament?
Kevin Sorbo: Absolutely – the Old Testament will come next.
What are your thoughts about Bible Gateway and the Bible Gateway App?
Kevin Sorbo: I greatly appreciate your ministry and commitment to equipping readers with God’s Word through innovative resources and engagement campaigns. You’re impacting lives worldwide with the gospel.
I want to invite the Bible Gateway community and their friends to take the 10 Minutes with Jesus challenge. It’s a great way to prepare your heart for Easter and will enable you to experience God’s Word in a fresh, new way. Then, join me for a Bible Gateway Facebook Live Event on April 12th!
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
Kevin Sorbo: Thank you for allowing me to join you today on the Bible Gateway Blog. I want to encourage everyone to sign up for the 10 Minutes with Jesus Challenge and join us for the Bible Gateway Facebook Live Event on April 12th. If you’d like to learn more about the Breathe Bible visit www.breathebible.com.
Bio: Kevin Sorbo is best known for his roles in Hercules, Andromeda, and God’s Not Dead. He’s the spokesperson for A World Fit for Kids!, a nonprofit that helps prepare young people for fit and fulfilling lives. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
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