Several years ago, a fantastic audio recording of the New Testament was released that featured an entire cast of talented actors. It included Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee) as well as John Rhys-Davies (Gimli), both well-known for their roles in the Lord of the Rings series. Astin narrates the Gospel of Matthew and John Rhys-Davies introduces the books of the New Testament.
Entitled the, “The Truth & Life Dramatized Audio Bible New Testament,” it “is a celebrity-voiced ‘radio drama’ of the entire RSV-CE New Testament. More than 70 actors help bring the scriptures to life in this 22-hour audio production, complete with movie-quality sound effects and an original music score. This award-winning audio New Testament is endorsed with an Imprimatur from the Vatican and including a foreword by Pope Benedict XVI.”
Astin spoke with Catholic Online when it was released and related his excitement about being on the project.
It was great to know that I could contribute. that we could contribute. a lot of people that I know – I’ve worked with a bunch of the people on the box, if you know what I mean [Ed: the box containing the Audio Bible CD’s]. I’ve either worked with or I know them. I feel like we’ve created a living breathing way to the Bible.
I can picture my wife’s grandfather, who’s an 89 year-old man, and the Bible is the most important thing in his life. Now he can sit and listen to this and soak it up. It feels good to be a part of something like that.
He said he was proud to be part of the project, helping to make the Bible accessible to a new generation.
Astin said in an interview with Fox News that he considers himself a Christian, but doesn’t proclaim to be perfect, “I consider myself a Christian. I don’t know if I’m a very good one but I’m praying the forgiveness thing is legit.”
For those interested in listening to Sean Astin recite the Gospel of Matthew, it is available on the Truth & Life website and app, as well as on the digital platform FORMED.
Below is a sample of some of the other books featured in the Truth & Life audio drama.
Philip Kosloski
Philip Kosloski is the founder of Voyage Comics & Publishing and the writer and creator of the comic book series, Finnian and the Seven Mountains.