New app aims to enliven Scriptures, boost accessibility
Chicago, 28 January 2014: A new app featuring the full text and dramatic readings
of the Bible is drawing praise from Catholic clergy who say it can help more people
read or hear the Scriptures no matter where they are. Bishop David Ricken of Green
Bay said the app “makes hearing and reflecting upon the word of God easy, engaging
and acceptable.”
“The New Evangelization calls us to reach out using new methods
and expressions and this tool allows people to not only read, but hear and experience
the word of God in their homes, cars and places of work,” he said January 24. The
Truth & Life Dramatized Audio Bible New Testament App comes in free and paid versions.
The free version contains a complete text of the Bible in the Revised Standard Edition
Second Catholic Edition and a full audio book of the Gospel of Mark.
With an
additional purchase, users can add a full-length audio New Testament voiced by actors
including Neal McDonough, Kristen Bell, Sean Astin, Blair Underwood, Malcolm McDowell
and John Rhys-Davis. The audio New Testament is 22 hours long. Another optional purchase
is a digital edition of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. The Bible text follows
the audio automatically.
Father James McIlhone, director of Biblical Formation
in the Archdiocese of Chicago who is helping promote the app and develop ways to use
it, called it “an audio Bible like no other.” “Where most audio Bibles have one person
reading the text, 'Truth and Life' has a host of actors and actresses taking the various
parts,” he told CNA Jan. 24. “That, coupled with the superb sound effects, allows
someone to close their eyes, listen to the Bible and visualize the scene.”
He
told CNA was adopted through the Archdiocese of Chicago's agency. He said he was “always
grateful for God’s graces, especially the parents I was given.” “When the opportunity
to produce a Catholic audio Bible and app was presented to me, I jumped on it,” he
said. “This is my way of giving thanks to God for all the graces he has bestowed upon
me.”
Stark noted that Catholics can use the app to read the Scriptures as part
of a “Lenten Challenge.” “We’re encouraging people to read the four gospels in 46
days,” he said. “Read four chapters a day. The amount of time it takes for you to
do that is 8-10 minutes.”
Fr. McIlhane added that rather than giving up something
for Lent, Catholics should consider giving up “a little time” and read, listen to
or meditate on the four Gospels. “This practice, we feel, could enhance the reader's
understanding of Jesus, and bring them into a deeper relationship with him.”
“Catholics
have shied away from the Bible,” he said. “The essence of our Faith is relationship
with Jesus Christ, and the only way we can enter into relationship with Jesus is knowing
him and the means par excellence whereby we come to know him is the Bible.” The Bible
app is available for Apple devices, Android devices, the Kindle Fire, the Nook and
PC computers. More information is available at the website www.truthandlifeapp.com. Source:
CNA/EWTN