Bible Readings & Hymns by David R. Kenney

 

BIBLE READINGS & HYMNS

by David R. Kenney

Beginning January 2, 2017, there will be new programming available in both audio and video format.  The name of the program is “Bible Readings & Hymns” with David R. Kenney reading the New Testament in the King James Version.  The program is designed to encourage everyone to read the entire New Testament in a year’s time by watching or listening less than 10 minutes a day, 5 days a week.  If someone cannot follow the daily format, then they could watch all five episodes at one time too.  The New Testament can be read through in a year's time by reading 5 chapters each week, and this program is designed to assist those in accomplishing that worthwhile goal.

Some may view reading plans as old fashioned.  Reading Plans are certainly not a recent invention.  There were reading plans to read the first five books of the Old Testament (Pentateuch or Torah) prior to Jesus' coming.  In fact, these first five books were marked for weekly reading sections going back to the Babylonian Captivity in the 6th century BC.  So, reading plans have been around for a long time which testifies to the effectiveness of such a plan. 

David R. Kenney reading the New Testament
at WCTV Studio in Wadsworth, Ohio

Before I went into full time ministry, I had a few people comment on how much they appreciated the quality of my voice.  Some of these were strangers, and some were Bible Class teachers who wanted me to read passages into a tape recorder.  This was quite a surprise to me having to go through speech therapy in grade school.  Churches of Christ have rightfully pled for people to read their Bibles.  We believe there is power in God’s Word; cf. Hebrews 4:12.  Much of the religious confusion could be eliminated if people truly read their Bibles with discernment; 2 Timothy 2:15-16.  Biblical illiteracy is rampant.  People have no problem telling you what they think the Bible says, but they sometimes reveal their Biblical illiteracy in the discussion.  All of us could use continuous improvement in this area.    

T

My mother, Kay E. Kenney, with her
Mother's Day corsage.  She is one brave lady!

he motivation for the program goes to my mother.  She has battled MS for several years. She has been in and out of wheelchairs, and even close to blindness at one point.  I wanted her to be able to listen to the Bible read in a voice she recognized in case the day came when her eyes failed.  I have a special compassion for those who are unable to see or hear whether from birth, illness, or due to advanced years.  So, to have audio and video readings of the New Testament available for those unable to see or hear really appealed to me.  It truly was a labor of love for those who want to know more about the Bible, but their senses have limited their ability to do so.

My mother's KJV Bible.  My father served the Lord as a preacher of the
gospel for  over 45 years, and my mother served by his side for nearly
50 years until his departure, January 8, 2015.

My mother has always respected the King James Version (KJV).  Even literary critics, the reputable ones, acknowledge the literary quality, elegance, and beauty of the King James Version.  Some think the vocabulary is too difficult in today’s society, but do not try to tell that to my mother!  I caution people before criticizing the KJV as “too hard” that the reading level has been estimated to be the 12^th grade.  So, the vocabulary ought not to be out of our reach!  The history of the King James Version is fascinating, being over 400 years old; although there have been revisions since 1611.  Besides the KJV being in the public domain, the primary reason is a tribute to my mother who refused to allow her children to let this marvelous translation slide away from their intellectual grasp!  She is not a “King James Only” advocate as she has no objections to reputable modern translations.  My wife has wisely pursued this same tradition with our children too.

This is not an easy project, and I certainly could not have done this alone!  My first assistance was from John Madding at WCTV who favored the idea of “Bible Readings & Hymns” produced and aired on WCTV.  John Madding patiently recorded all my text readings.  The hymns were another copyright challenge, but Andy Robison, Director of the West Virginia School of Preaching, graciously granted me permission to use hymns he composed and recorded.  The video was a special challenge.  Iris Griffin (now Iris Petty) at Gospel Broadcasting Network has done an excellent job of supplementing the show with attractive video during the singing, plus she incorporated the text scroll so people could visually follow along with the reading too.  Gospel Broadcasting Network is making plans to air the video, plus they support GBN radio stations overseen by Aaron Cozort who will be broadcasting the audio programming.  This really is a team effort!  I am thankful to Don Blackwell and Mark Teske at Gospel Broadcasting Network for their support of this project.  By the time this is completed, we will have the New Testament on both audio and video for broadcast, Internet, and available on various devices.

Bible Readings & Hymns will air both locally on WCTV and nationally on the Gospel Broadcasting Network.  (These times are subject to change, so check listings.)

WCTV, Wadsworth, Ohio, Channel 15:  Daily Format: Mon, Wed, Thu at 4:00pm; Tue & Fri at 4:30pm (EST)
Weekly Format: Sat at 9:00am & Sun at 1:30pm (EST)
WCTV is available on Roku and programs will available on their portal site.

Gospel Broadcasting Network TV:
GBN TV Daily Format: Mon – Fri at 7:30am (EST)
GBN TV Weekly Format: Sun at 7:00am (EST)
GBN is also available on Roku, YouTube Channel, and is streamed line on their website.

Gospel Broadcasting Network Radio:
GBN Radio Daily Format: Mon – Fri at 7:00am (All Time Zones)
GBN Radio is also available online at their website.

There is also a Facebook Page for Bible Readings & Hymns here.

 

Alexander Campbell Documentary by David R. Kenney



“AC — A Historical Account of Alexander Campbell” may be viewed in its entirety on GBN on March 10, 2015 at 8:00pm EST.  If you cannot view the network in your area, you can still watch the program live on their website at www.gbntv.org.



ALEXANDER CAMPBELL DOCUMENTARY

 

By David R. Kenney

“Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it” -- George Santayana. I remember this from my history teacher, Mr. Lippman, who stressed that learning the places and dates of history are important, but we must learn the lessons of history!  I have found this to be true in secular and religious history.  I have been a student of restoration history ever since my parents took me to hear Basil Overton at the first Cane Ridge Workshop in 1979.  So in August 2013, when I was asked by Gospel Broadcasting Network to produce a documentary about Alexander Campbell on location, it was like a dream. Bethany College granted unrestricted access, so we filmed in November 2013.  Filming such a documentary can be both daunting and adventurous, going “off road”; e.g., trying to find the area on Buffalo Creek where Alexander Campbell was immersed on June 12, 1812.  When there are books entitled Campbell and Controversy, you know everyone is not going to agree; but I have tried to be faithful to the historical record and present scenes some may never be able to view otherwise.  My effort has been to not only rekindle interest, but to inspire future generations to learn the lessons of restoration history because we are facing similar challenges.

 

Alexander Campbell (1788-1866) has been called “The Sage of Bethany” because he was a preeminent religious reformer.  There were reformers of notoriety such as Calvin, Luther, Zwingli and others who left their marks in the religious world.  Alexander Campbell, his father, Thomas Campbell, and men such as Barton W. Stone left their mark not only in religious reform but restoration.  Reforms are remedies to a broken system; however, restoration is an effort to get back to the original system.  It may be a simple concept, but the path to accomplish such is easier said than done.  We owe these men of the past a debt some may not fully comprehend; and we repay that debt, in part, by learning from them.  The men were not perfect; however, their experiences provide great lessons we need.  When I hear statements like “It would be better if we never heard the name Alexander Campbell today”, it reminds me of those who ignore historical details at the cost of repeating historical mistakes.  History is a powerful teacher.  If we ignore the lessons of history, then we will be re-taught by the pain of repetition.  The pain of such mistakes will be no less severe.

 

“AC — A Historical Account of Alexander Campbell” may be viewed in its entirety on GBN on March 10, 2015 at 8:00pm EST.  If you cannot view the network in your area, you can still watch the program live on their website at www.gbntv.org.

 

Reprinted with permission, Gospel Advocate, February 2015, p. 11.  To subscribe to the Gospel Advocate or Christian Woman, call 1-800-251-8446. 
 
 
To see the premiere announcement by Gospel Broadcasting Network, go here.