The Voice - New Testament

The Voice – New Testament

Published at Thomas Nelson

 

About the book
The Voice™ is the product of the best minds in this emerging generation of Christian leaders. Together they are helping young people fall in love with the Scriptures. Instead of confining God's Word in the framework of biblical criticism, The Voice™ highlights the beauty of God's communication to His people. In The Voice™, the voice of God is heard as clearly as when He first revealed His truth. This is the first-ever complete New Testament in The Voice™ translation. Writers include Chris Seay, Lauren Winner, Brian McLaren, Greg Garrett, David B. Capes, and others.

Features include:

• Bronze, highlighted text
• Screenplay-like format, ideal for public readings and group studies
• Devotional commentary
• Book introductions

 

My Thoughts
This version of the New Testament is interesting in various ways.

It is easier to identify the person who speaks as the text is written as though you would read a play. In fact, this version of the bible would make it easier to put together a skit on a sermon based on the New Testament scriptures. Nothing is better to understand something than making it fun to see and comprehend don’t you think?

 

The heart of The Voice is to retell the story of the Bible in a form as fluid as modern literary works yet remain true to the original manuscripts. And from what I have seen and read, I think the authors have done a wonderful job in doing so. While reading The Voice,it reminded me of the Message version mixed with the NIV.

 

Also incorporated in the text you will see some italics words which indicates words not directly tied to a dynamic translation of the original language. They are meant to help the reader to better understand the text. I think it is always good to know which words were added to help the comprehension of the original scripture and knowing that the italic words do so helps a lot.

 

The reader will also come upon outlined boxes that expand on the theme read in the page. I particularly like this as it gives the reader more information and clarify the context or what is happening. For example, in Matthew 1 the author, Matthew, gives the genealogy of Jesus. One of the outlined boxes in that section explains would give more details on some people part of the genealogy of Jesus.

 

However, to advertize that this version brings beauty, tradition and the future church is too much. I don’t agree that the future of the church should stand on such a version of the New Testament. The church should stand and continue to pursue the old version of the bible. This version is a breath of fresh air when you want to get a different perspective for a time period but not for the future. Yes The Voice is beautiful and creative. It somewhat held on tradition as well. But I don’t see the future church being strong on such a version of the scriptures.

 

This version of the New Testament is interesting but I would use it as a read through the New Testament in one year. I wouldn’t give this to a new believer as I think it is important to be immersed in a better-known version like the NIV, NLT or KJV at the beginning of your walk with God. The Voice would be a nice graduation gift or birthday celebration gift for someone who has been following the Lord for a while.

 

This review was possible because I received a copy of The Voice from Thomas Nelson.

 

The Voice is available everywhere even at amazon.ca and indigo.ca.