Who Narrates The Wonder Bible?

The wonder bible is an audio version of the bible that has brought the teachings of Christianity into the homes of many for decades. With its dramatic narrations and background music, listeners young and old have been able to enjoy hearing the word of God read aloud in an immersive way.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The wonder bible is narrated by Alexander Scourby, an American film, television, and voice actor known for his deep and resonant voice.

In this comprehensive article, we will explore the full history behind the narrator of the wonder bible – Alexander Scourby. We will learn about his background and extensive career as an actor, what led him to narrate the bible, as well as the legacy he left behind in bringing the stories of the bible to life through his iconic voice recordings.

Introducing Alexander Scourby: The Man Behind the Wonder Bible

Early Life and Education

Alexander Scourby was born on November 13, 1913 in Brooklyn, New York. From an early age, he was drawn to performance and first appeared on stage at the age of 7. Scourby attended local public schools in Brooklyn and graduated from high school in 1931.

He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in English from West Virginia University in 1935. During his college years, Scourby was active in campus theater productions and honed his skills as an actor.

After graduating from West Virginia, Scourby returned to New York to pursue an acting career full-time. He enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, one of the oldest and most prestigious acting schools in the country.

Scourby thrived in the Academy’s rigorous training program and graduated in 1937. This formal dramatic education helped prepare him for a successful career on the stage and later in film, television, and voice work.

Successful Career as an Actor

Alexander Scourby got his big break on Broadway in 1937, landing a supporting role in the hit production The Great Waltz. Over the next decade, he appeared in over 40 Broadway plays and musicals. Some of his most acclaimed performances were in The Moon is Down (1942) and Home of the Brave (1945).

In the late 1940s, Scourby transitioned to work in the emerging medium of television. He acted in early anthology series such as Kraft Television Theatre and Armstrong Circle Theatre. Scourby’s rich baritone voice soon led to extensive work as a voiceover artist.

His first major voice acting role came in 1949 when he was cast as the off-screen narrator of the biblical epic film Samson and Delilah.

In the 1950s and 60s, Scourby was prolific as both an on-screen character actor and voiceover talent. He appeared in over 100 television series and narrated numerous documentaries, commercials, and records.

But Scourby’s most famous vocal work started in 1953 when he was hired by the American Bible Society to record an audio narration of the King James Version of the Bible.

After 5 years of meticulous recording sessions, Scourby’s narration of the entire King James Bible was completed in 1958. This landmark audiobook brought Scourby international fame and earned him the nickname “The Voice of the Bible.”

The American Bible Society later released the best-selling “Wonder Bible” devices that played Scourby’s iconic narration.

Narrating the Bible – Scourby’s Defining Role

Scourby’s Christian Faith

Alexander Scourby, the narrator of the beloved Wonder Bible audio recordings, grew up with a deep Christian faith rooted in the Episcopal Church. From a young age, Scourby felt a calling to bring the Scriptures to life through his gifted voice talent.

From Sunday school plays to reading passages aloud in church services, Scourby embraced opportunities to read the Bible out loud and evoke an emotional connection in his listeners.

In 1943 during World War II, Scourby volunteered his talents with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). He spent six months recording specialized Bible passages to provide spiritual support for blinded soldiers.

This experience solidified Scourby’s passion for narrating the Bible in a way that deeply resonated with people.

The Recordings that Became the Wonder Bible

In the early 1950s, Scourby was approached by the American Bible Society (ABS) to embark on a monumental endeavor – recording the entire King James Bible for distribution on vinyl records. The project took Scourby over a year, painstakingly ensuring perfect diction and dramatic pausing to maximize the emotional impact and clarity of the Scripture.

The public response to what became known as the Wonder Bible⚡️ was immediate and profound. Listeners marveled at how Scourby made the Biblical accounts come alive in their imagination like never before.

Many reported a deeply spiritual, even transformed experience listening to Scourby’s Bible recordings.

Widespread Popularity and Acclaim

The Wonder Bible has sold over 100 million copies worldwide across various formats – first vinyl, then cassette, CD, and now digital. Scourby’s narration has been described as the “voice-of-God” for how it commands rapt attention and stirs something intangible yet powerfully real in the soul.

In 1985, Scourby was posthumously inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for his Bible recordings. To this day, Alexander Scourby remains the most prolific and beloved narrator of Scripture in the English language.

His iconic voice on the Wonder Bible continues introducing new generations to the life-changing power of God’s Word.

The Enduring Legacy Scourby Left Behind

Continued Circulation of Recordings

Alexander Scourby’s narration of the Bible in the 1950s and 1960s was groundbreaking. His rich, theatrical voice brought the scriptures alive for millions of listeners. Though Scourby passed away in 1985, his iconic recordings continue to circulate widely today.

His narration is still one of the top-selling audiobooks of the Bible.

According to Audible.com, Scourby’s reading of the King James Version remains one of their most popular audiobooks decades after its initial release. His narration is prized for its warmth, authority, and ability to engage listeners.

Though new audio versions of the Bible have emerged, Scourby’s narration endures as a gold standard.

Beyond Audible, Scourby’s narrations are still widely available through companies like Christian Book Distributors and retailers like Amazon. Over 65 years since their original release, these historical recordings continue to find an enthusiastic audience of new listeners.

Influence on Audio Bibles Today

Alexander Scourby’s narration style set a high bar for the quality of audio Bibles. His eloquent, trained voice revealed the capacity of audiobooks to transport listeners into scripture. Today’s narrators strive to emulate the gravitas Scourby brought to the text.

Contemporary narrators like Stephen Johnston and Jim Caviezel cite Scourby as a major influence. His cadence and ability to inhabit diverse Biblical characters established a timeless model for bringing the Bible to life through voice alone.

As audiobooks grow in popularity as a spiritual medium, Scourby’s legacy of vocal excellence continues to shape audio Bible productions.

Scourby also pioneered adding subtle background music and sound effects to enhance the listeners’ immersive experience. These production values are now commonplace in today’s audio Bible releases, which build on Scourby’s innovative approach.

Though new translations and voices have emerged, Scourby remains a legend in the world of audio Bible narration. His artistic interpretation of scripture still sets the bar for excellence. When listeners hear the Bible spoken with grace, vision and understanding, they have Alexander Scourby’s enduring legacy to thank.

Conclusion

In conclusion, actor Alexander Scourby left an indelible mark on Christianity through his iconic narration of the wonder bible. With his resonant, Shakespearean-trained voice, Scourby brought the stories and teachings of the bible alive for countless listeners over the years.

His dramatic and moving narration style made the wonder bible a staple in Christian homes for decades, allowing both children and adults to connect to their faith by hearing the word of God read with such feeling and conviction.

Even to this day, Scourby’s wonder bible recordings continue to be sought after and impact new generations of Christians through his enduring legacy as the definitive narrator of the Bible.