Reading the Bible Out Loud

The Pope kicked off a weeklong reading of the Bible yesterday:

RAI state TV began its program called "The Bible Day and Night," with Benedict reciting the first chapter of the book of Genesis -- the holy text's opening verses about the creation of the world.

The marathon will feature more than 1,200 people reading the Old and New Testament in over seven days and six nights.

While the pope recited his segment from the Vatican, most of the reading will be done live in Rome's Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, a basilica built in the fourth century.

Besides Roman Catholics, members of other religions, including Jews, Protestants and Orthodox Christians will participate.

Benedict, who appeared on a giant screen mounted in the church to start the marathon, was followed by Bishop Ilarion, a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church. Oscar-winning director Roberto Benigni was also among those reading from the Bible on Sunday.

I find it interesting that this is happening right around the time that Zondervan is traveling around the country to get people to hand copy the entire bible. It makes me wonder if the Bible is becoming more important in culture nowadays, or if organizations are just getting more religiously savvy with their PR events.

Have you ever participated in anything like this? Would you if given the chance?

Also, check out GetReligion for some more commentary on why this is important.

A tangential idea: Wouldn't it be great to have each of those people memorize their chapters? The entire Bible being recited from memory would be a very cool thing to hear/see.

HT: sansblogue

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Comments (9)

I like the idea of Bible recitation. Something I think Evangelicals have lost to a degree, something with so much Biblical precedent. Course, they used to be oral 'cause they couldn't be literary, but it's just another way for us as disciples to be fed.
I would like to join in with those who want the words of God given to others, no matter how that is done. What a wonderful thing to do, maybe we could get others here to do the same. I know many who would love to recite a few versus' or a chapter or two. In God's Grace John
Back to the Bible (www.backtothebible.org) has been about getting the Word out to the people for a long time. For some time now, they have been asking for prayer for their effort to have the Bible become read and its truths applied, especially in the U.S. Check out especially http://www.centerforbibleengag....
Some years ago I and my kids participated in a recitation marathon of all 150 Psalms at Calvin College, Some were sung, some were read, some were chanted, some were performed. But all were recited out loud and in sequence. It went on for hours into the night, so I couldn't stay for it all. But it was powerful to hear the psalms of praise juxtaposed with the pslams of lament, out loud and in public.
http://www.calvin.edu/worship/...
I just don't know about "The Bible Day and Night"... I live in Italy, and so I've seen the ads and the pitch all seemed to be about "the longest live broadcast ever". However, I still thought it was quite a wonderful idea. I lost my enthusisam when I visited the website, and read that anyone could participate, even non-believers. In fact, a few Muslims are on the readers' list. The only requirement is, and I quote, "respect for the Word". I don't know what kind of respect a non-Christian is expected to have, but it certainly isn't the same as I have.

We as Christians should get the message of salvation out to as many people as we can, using all the technology available to us, but shouldn't there be boundaries (especially in such a public event)? Or am I just overreacting?
I would say you are over reacting. Here is my take...scripture is powerful because the Holy Spirit makes the word powerful. Someone that is not Christian cannot make the word any less powerful if the Holy Spirit wants to use them. This is similar to many church worship bands intentionally hiring non-Christian musicians in order to witness to them (not the worship leaders, but the guitarist or drummer). Those non-Christians may then become Christians through the interaction and love of the other Christians around them.
I have now watched the broadcast, and I'm glad to say I was wrong. The mood is very solemn and respectful, the audience attentive, and in some cases, moved almost to tears. The readers aren't being identified, so we don't know who the non-believers are. The number of local celebrities at the lectern is also encouraging.
I'm glad I have something edifying to watch -- if only until tomorrow!
Must definitely be something in the "air" right now about reading the Bible out loud. I started working on something in the same vein some time ago, but never could pull it off. But recently I read through the entire New Testament with a comrade from church, alternately reading and listening book by book. We just sat across from each other in a very casual way in the sanctuary, reading simply, not preaching or "emoting". The experience over those 18 hours was moving beyond description, and the effects it had on the spiritual atmosphere of our church and its congregants was nothing short of miraculous. Bible marathons like this upcoming RAI "event" have been going on for some time, and probably come out of the simchat Torah tradition.

However, I had a vision to do something very, very different that will engage both reader and listener with Father in a tremendously intimate way. We have asked believers all over the world to join in an international day of celebrating the Word on October 22 with oral reading of scripture, but done in groups of 2's or 3's, not with a reader (or multiple readers) and an "audience". If you've never read the Bible out loud this way, you're in for quite an experience.

Please visit us at http://www.ReadTheBibleOutloud... to see what we mean and add your voice to the multitude as we raise our voice in praise to the Lord.

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