Introducing the "Bible Reading Project"

It is funny what can happen when people say nice things. I am beginning something new. Reading the Bible aloud and recording it. Hopefully you will enjoy this new series.

Recently, I purchased a new boom for my microphone. When I started recording podcasts and my articles, I put the shotgun mic that I use with my DSLR into service, a RODE Videomic Go II. It’s a good mic, but because it’s a shotgun, it can be a little bit finicky in regards to placement for this kind of purpose. When I first started using it for pods, I spoke straight into it, resulting in all kinds of popping, distortion and gain problems. I have a friend who does sound for movies and commercials and he said that the mic was not the problem. To minimize the amount of post recording adjustments needed, I just had to get the mic close, but pointed across where I was speaking at a spot several inches in front of my mouth and located off to the side or above me where it would not be pointed directly at my mouth. For a while I was using my mic propped on my camera mounted on a hand held table top tripod. Then I almost knocked the camera off my desk. Time to invest in a boom.

But the new boom meant figuring out again where to place the microphone. So, rather than just reading some random bit of text and deleting it, I thought I would read some short pieces of scripture and, if they turned out ok, maybe post them to Twitter or Substack Notes. Turns out, people enjoyed listening to them. It was suggested I do more. The idea actually appealed to me. As if I don’t have enough to do. But where to begin? What version to use? I settled on starting with the Gospel of Matthew. Begin with the beginning of the New Testament. I grew up on the NIV and that is what I use for daily devotions. I did two of my test readings from the King James and while the language is lovely, it is more taxing to read if you are not used to it. I thought about the NIV but the online versions reflect the most recent edits and now use “inclusive language” and other theological tweaks which bring justifiable criticism. Using my “safe” 30+ year old NIV Study Bible just ended up being a challenge, with propping it up, page turning and the like. So, I settled on the RSV. It is relatively literal and conservative in its theological choices. Its what is used for the English if you have a Novum Testamentum Graece parallel Greek-English New Testament. It was the version my family used when I was growing up and the pews at church. So the RSV it is. The first four chapters of Matthew are now recorded. Once I find the time to get the intro and outro added, find an appropriate image to use and then convert the MP3 to MP4 for YouTube, I will start posting them and sending them out.

There will be a new tab at the top of the header: “Bible Reading Project.” I will also make playlist for YouTube as well.

I am planning to offer them as free content. If you enjoy the recordings, consider a paid subscription to support my work here at Seeking the Hidden Thing.