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Zondervan and the Inspired By… Media Group team up to bring to life the entire text of the New Testament. (Available now in stores everywhere. The complete Bible will be available fall 2007.) “Hear the words of the Bible brought to life like never before.” The Bible Experience: New Testament Audio CD and MP3 CD bring to you “a one-of-a-kind dramatized audio recording of the Bible,” complete with an inspiring symphony orchestra and performances by “an unprecedented ensemble of over 200 distinguished African-American actors, musicians, and personalities” such as Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Blair Underwood, Angela Bassett, LeVar Burton, Tatyana Ali, Eriq La Salle, Robert Guillaume, Tyrese Gibson, Faith Evans, and many more. Visit www.zondervan.com/TheBibleExperience.

I’m not sure how I am going to feel about this, whether it is something I will be able enjoy, but you know what? I am going to support it. It does not even matter whether I will like it: I want to support this effort because we just don’t see enough of this kind of passion for the Word, especially by recognizable people attaching their names to something like this and staking their reputation to it. I’m going to support it regardless because I want to see a lot more of things like this; I want those involved in the production and distribution of this to know that they can pump out more of this kind of thing; I want the actors, singers, and other personalities to know that I applaud the courage of their convictions. And I encourage you, too, to go out and purchase one of these CDs, to support this, because while Europe goes more liberal and with less trust in the authenticity and authority of Scripture, and especially as Islam spreads itself further across Europe, North America is still ridiculously attached to God’s Word and I don’t ever want to see that passion get stifled. Is it a gimmick? Is it a means to make a good amount of money? Is there any sincerity? I don’t care: this is passion for God’s Word and it is being distributed more and more, and I love that. “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice” (Phil. 1:8).