Songs from the Beginner's Bible

Simplifying the Bible to make it understood by children is a risky process. They do not necessarily need it dumbed down, but it is difficult to extract the core of the stories without gliding over important facts. It would take a particularly contemptuous person to warn small ones about the real Biblical statements on redemption and Heaven and Hell. This is why children who learn about the Bible usually first learn songs about God's goodness ("Jesus Loves Me") and not the punishments and plagues described in Revelations. There are books in the Bible that especially appeal to children, "David and Goliath," "Daniel in the Lion's Den" and the Christmas story about the baby in the manger. Songs From the Beginner's Bible is an attempt to teach children some of these important Bible stories in the form of modernly orchestrated songs. Its best marketing strategy is utilizing singer and actress Jodi Benson (voice of Disney's Little Mermaid) who has tremendous vocal clarity and charisma. Songs From the Beginner's Bible walks a fine line when dealing with stories of a gritty nature — "Me for You, You for Me" is a duet with Jodi and Wayne Kirkpatrick that reveals God's wish for man to have companionship, but the story closes before children hear about man's first sin in the Garden of Eden and the cursing of the earth. Some of the songs do deal with heavier topics and morality, such as selfishness in "The Tower of Babel," and idolization of false of Gods on "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego." Mostly, the album stays close to the topic of love, and God's all-inclusive love on "All the Children." The album was clearly produced by Christians, but its purpose seems focused on teaching simple Bible stories rather than preaching the Gospel — though it succeeds at that, too.