Museum of the Bible

07/16/2021

A Reunion 600 Years in the Making | Museum of the Bible

The Lipnice Bible is a Latin manuscript that was begun in Prague but finished in Lipnice Castle by the scribe Matthias of Raudnitz in May 1421.

Now 600 years later, this important manuscript, part of the collections of Museum of the Bible, has returned home to the castle for a special exhibition, “The Story of the Lipnice Bible.”

Read the full story in our “Museum of the Bible Magazine”: https://fal.cn/3gOuR.

From 1419 to 1439, religious wars between Catholics and Hussites ravaged the countryside of Bohemia, a region now in the Czech Republic. As so often happens, warfare displaced populations as people sought safety in the midst of chaos. Among those displaced was a master scribe, the Catholic Augustini...

07/16/2021

What was the purpose of stained glass? The beautiful stained glass that adorns medieval cathedrals helped teach biblical stories to everyone who saw them. ⛪

Illustrations in glass, stone, wood, metal, textiles, and other materials provided visual reminders of biblical events and warnings of what was yet to come in the afterlife. They offered clear messages for those who could read and those who could not.

See “Easter Morning” and “The Four Evangelists,” created by Louis Comfort Tiffany, on display in our museum: https://fal.cn/3gOiw.

What was the purpose of stained glass? The beautiful stained glass that adorns medieval cathedrals helped teach biblical stories to everyone who saw them. ⛪

Illustrations in glass, stone, wood, metal, textiles, and other materials provided visual reminders of biblical events and warnings of what was yet to come in the afterlife. They offered clear messages for those who could read and those who could not.

See “Easter Morning” and “The Four Evangelists,” created by Louis Comfort Tiffany, on display in our museum: https://fal.cn/3gOiw.

07/16/2021

Shannon Miller, a former Olympic gymnast and two-time inductee into the US Olympic Hall of Fame, once said: “I really liked the verse: ‘God is my strength and power, and he maketh my way perfect.’ It was particularly helpful on the floor exercise. I would always be so winded by the end of my floor routine, and my legs would feel like jelly before my last pass, but I would remember that saying, and I would be able to land on my feet.” 🇺🇸🏅

#BibleImpact

Shannon Miller, a former Olympic gymnast and two-time inductee into the US Olympic Hall of Fame, once said: “I really liked the verse: ‘God is my strength and power, and he maketh my way perfect.’ It was particularly helpful on the floor exercise. I would always be so winded by the end of my floor routine, and my legs would feel like jelly before my last pass, but I would remember that saying, and I would be able to land on my feet.” 🇺🇸🏅

#BibleImpact

07/15/2021

Did you know? 💡

Exodus 14 depicts how God opened the way for the Israelites to cross the Red Sea, finally escaping the pursuing Egyptian army. The story of the exodus played a role in inspiring American antislavery advocate Harriet Tubman and her efforts to help many US slaves escape bo***ge by fleeing to northern states. She even received the nickname “Moses.”

Did you know? 💡

Exodus 14 depicts how God opened the way for the Israelites to cross the Red Sea, finally escaping the pursuing Egyptian army. The story of the exodus played a role in inspiring American antislavery advocate Harriet Tubman and her efforts to help many US slaves escape bo***ge by fleeing to northern states. She even received the nickname “Moses.”

07/15/2021

The Rice Psalter is a 15th-century manuscript that takes its name from an inscription at the end of the text that says, in part, “Off your charite pray for the soules of Symon Rice and Letyce his wyffe.” A Psalter contains the book of Psalms, and this particular Psalter contains the psalms in order. #Artifactoftheday

This manuscript contains eight fully historiated initials, each on a page framed with a full floral border. The manuscript most likely was made for liturgical, rather than private use. In the back flyleaves someone in the 16th century kept an account of payments for such things as drinks and spinning. 💰💰

See it on our History Floor or at https://fal.cn/3gMrQ.

The Rice Psalter is a 15th-century manuscript that takes its name from an inscription at the end of the text that says, in part, “Off your charite pray for the soules of Symon Rice and Letyce his wyffe.” A Psalter contains the book of Psalms, and this particular Psalter contains the psalms in order. #Artifactoftheday

This manuscript contains eight fully historiated initials, each on a page framed with a full floral border. The manuscript most likely was made for liturgical, rather than private use. In the back flyleaves someone in the 16th century kept an account of payments for such things as drinks and spinning. 💰💰

See it on our History Floor or at https://fal.cn/3gMrQ.

07/14/2021

The Bible is So ... Concrete

The Bible is so ... concrete! Assyriologist Jared Wolfe is here to tell us why.

Watch all episodes of "The Bible is So ..." here: https://fal.cn/3gLou

07/14/2021

This sermon was preached by Phillips Payson at Lexington, Massachusetts, April 19, 1782. It was preached to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War at the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

Phillips Payson was an American Congregationalist minister and pastor of the church in Chelsea, Massachusetts. In addition to several tracts on astronomy and natural philosophy, Payson delivered several commemorative sermons. The printer, Benjamin Edes, was a member of the Sons of Liberty and editor of the “Boston Gazette."

See this sermon on our Collections page: https://fal.cn/3gLfU.

This sermon was preached by Phillips Payson at Lexington, Massachusetts, April 19, 1782. It was preached to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War at the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

Phillips Payson was an American Congregationalist minister and pastor of the church in Chelsea, Massachusetts. In addition to several tracts on astronomy and natural philosophy, Payson delivered several commemorative sermons. The printer, Benjamin Edes, was a member of the Sons of Liberty and editor of the “Boston Gazette."

See this sermon on our Collections page: https://fal.cn/3gLfU.

07/14/2021

More Literal Than Thou

Who wins in the race for the most accurate Bible translation?

Check out this article from Christianity Today by Daniel Stevens, our Director of the Scholars Initiative 🧐

Who wins in the race for the most accurate Bible translation?

07/14/2021

Name one historical figure impacted by the Bible.

07/13/2021

Join us on September 14 at 7:00 p.m. EDT for “The Case For Heaven: An Evening with Lee Strobel."

In his new book, “The Case for Heaven: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for Life After Death,” best-selling and award-winning author Lee Strobel presents his findings for the reality of life after death using conversations with respected scholars and experts.

Register to join us in person or virtually here: https://fal.cn/3gJUl.

Join us on September 14 at 7:00 p.m. EDT for “The Case For Heaven: An Evening with Lee Strobel."

In his new book, “The Case for Heaven: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for Life After Death,” best-selling and award-winning author Lee Strobel presents his findings for the reality of life after death using conversations with respected scholars and experts.

Register to join us in person or virtually here: https://fal.cn/3gJUl.

07/13/2021

Builders in first-century Nazareth were experts in blending stone, wood, earth, and plaster. The backbreaking work often began by revealing the bedrock, establishing the foundation, and placing carefully hewn cornerstones to support the structure.

Later, they shaped wood into rafters and crafted doors and furniture. While family members commonly labored to build their own homes, they occasionally needed assistance from a master builder.

Builders in first-century Nazareth were experts in blending stone, wood, earth, and plaster. The backbreaking work often began by revealing the bedrock, establishing the foundation, and placing carefully hewn cornerstones to support the structure.

Later, they shaped wood into rafters and crafted doors and furniture. While family members commonly labored to build their own homes, they occasionally needed assistance from a master builder.

07/13/2021

Ancient Faith: Churches of Nagorno-Karabakh – Gandzasar

Gandzasar is an example of the highest development of Armenian medieval architecture.

In this video, listen to Vardan Hovhannisyian share the story and sacred ritual of his baptism at Gandzasar Cathedral. Explore “Ancient Faith: The Churches of Nagorno-Karabakh” here: https://fal.cn/3gJ6c.

07/12/2021

America as the Promised Land

Many early colonists and immigrants viewed America as the “promised land.” In the wake of brutal religious conflicts in Europe in the 1600s, America represented a safe haven for the religiously oppressed and exiled. Thus, the biblical story of the exodus and the search for a promised land resonated with many early colonists.

07/12/2021

Prior to his death in 1967, astronaut Edward White II (Apollo 1) told a reporter he hoped to carry a Bible to the moon. In his memory, the Apollo Prayer League formed in 1968, in part to fulfill that dream.

Finally, in 1971, Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell carried 300 copies of the Bible with him (100 in the lunar module, 200 in the command module; plus there were 212 secretly stowed in the command module). On February 5, 1971, Antares, Apollo 14’s lunar module, touched down on the moon, bringing with it the Bible.

See this Lunar Bible on our Impact of the Bible Floor or at https://fal.cn/3gHq5.

Prior to his death in 1967, astronaut Edward White II (Apollo 1) told a reporter he hoped to carry a Bible to the moon. In his memory, the Apollo Prayer League formed in 1968, in part to fulfill that dream.

Finally, in 1971, Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell carried 300 copies of the Bible with him (100 in the lunar module, 200 in the command module; plus there were 212 secretly stowed in the command module). On February 5, 1971, Antares, Apollo 14’s lunar module, touched down on the moon, bringing with it the Bible.

See this Lunar Bible on our Impact of the Bible Floor or at https://fal.cn/3gHq5.

07/11/2021

Trivia time! Which brave Jewish woman became queen of Persia and used her influence to protect her people?

a. Ruth
b. Deborah
c. Esther
d. Judith

07/11/2021

In first-century Galilee, wells were social gathering places, but they also reflected social divisions. In a story from the Gospel of John, Jesus passes through Samaria. The Jews and Samaritans loathed one another. Still, a weary Jesus stops at the well and asks a Samaritan woman for a drink.

The woman is shocked. He has broken social barriers by speaking to a Samaritan—and a woman no less. In addition, the woman has a shameful history. In the midst of her hardship, Jesus offers her hope.

This famous Bible story tells of an unusual encounter at a common meeting place.

In first-century Galilee, wells were social gathering places, but they also reflected social divisions. In a story from the Gospel of John, Jesus passes through Samaria. The Jews and Samaritans loathed one another. Still, a weary Jesus stops at the well and asks a Samaritan woman for a drink.

The woman is shocked. He has broken social barriers by speaking to a Samaritan—and a woman no less. In addition, the woman has a shameful history. In the midst of her hardship, Jesus offers her hope.

This famous Bible story tells of an unusual encounter at a common meeting place.

07/10/2021

Henry Pelham created this design, “The Bloody Massacre,” a highly dramatized interpretation of the Boston Massacre that became one of the most influential pieces of propaganda in the American Revolution. Paul Revere based his engraving on Pelham’s work.

#DidYouKnow that on the fourth anniversary of the Boston Massacre in 1774, John Hancock gave an inspired speech, which was widely published, that referenced the last chapter of the book of Habakkuk (3:17–18)?

See the copy of Paul Revere’s engraving on our Collections page: https://fal.cn/3gFU7.

Henry Pelham created this design, “The Bloody Massacre,” a highly dramatized interpretation of the Boston Massacre that became one of the most influential pieces of propaganda in the American Revolution. Paul Revere based his engraving on Pelham’s work.

#DidYouKnow that on the fourth anniversary of the Boston Massacre in 1774, John Hancock gave an inspired speech, which was widely published, that referenced the last chapter of the book of Habakkuk (3:17–18)?

See the copy of Paul Revere’s engraving on our Collections page: https://fal.cn/3gFU7.

07/10/2021

“Speak Bible verses over yourself. Declare it. Inject hope when there is none.” – Lolo Jones, Olympian #Olympics2021

07/09/2021

An Unlikely Story | Museum of the Bible

It all started with a conversation. In 1972, Ken Howard visited Moscow, where he met Igor Makenskov. Igor told Ken that he had never read the Bible and had only seen the cover of one twice. Igor's story was hardly unique.

Access to the Bible in the USSR was very limited. However, Ken was so moved by Igor's story that he committed himself to providing Bibles to anyone in Russia who wanted one. This started a personal journey that lasted nearly two decades.

Read more about Ken’s journey in one of our inaugural articles, “An Unlikely Story,” in Museum of the Bible Magazine: https://fal.cn/3gF0V.

If you had known Ken Howard as a young boy, growing up in the years before World War II, you would have never suspected that this Texas farm boy would become a university professor of economics and work for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).

07/09/2021

#OnThisDay in 1189, a Jewish scribe completed Codex Valmadonna I in England. It remains the only dated Hebrew manuscript to survive from the Jews of medieval England. But its connection to England was only recently rediscovered. How? And why does it matter?

Head to our comments for the full story.

#OnThisDay in 1189, a Jewish scribe completed Codex Valmadonna I in England. It remains the only dated Hebrew manuscript to survive from the Jews of medieval England. But its connection to England was only recently rediscovered. How? And why does it matter?

Head to our comments for the full story.

07/08/2021

Ancient Faith: The Churches of Nagorno-Karabakh - Dadivank

Dadivank, or Khutavank, is one of the most famous historical, spiritual, and cultural landmarks of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. It is located in the east of the historical Upper Khachen, or Tzar, province, believed to be one of the first places in this part of the world where Christianity was adopted.

In this video, a group of teenage students from Karabakh share their innovative work, producing 3D-images of Dadivank monastery at the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies.

Explore our online exhibit, “Ancient Faith: The Churches of Nagorno-Karabakh,” here: https://fal.cn/3gDtb.

07/08/2021

#DidYouKnow the American Bible Society has made efforts to distribute Bibles to Olympic athletes, workers, and spectators? They passed out about four million Bibles at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and five million for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

07/08/2021

Now on display! See the revision of the Magna Carta issued in 1217 in our newest exhibition, “Magna Carta: Tyranny. Justice. Liberty.” This rare artifact is one of only four of its kind still surviving and was the first to be called “Magna Carta."

Learn more about the exhibition: https://fal.cn/3gBTB.

Now on display! See the revision of the Magna Carta issued in 1217 in our newest exhibition, “Magna Carta: Tyranny. Justice. Liberty.” This rare artifact is one of only four of its kind still surviving and was the first to be called “Magna Carta."

Learn more about the exhibition: https://fal.cn/3gBTB.

07/07/2021

The Coverdale Bible was the first complete English translation of the Old Testament, Apocrypha, and New Testament. #ArtifactoftheDay

Myles Coverdale was an English priest and religious reformer. He published this Bible in Belgium in 1535, building, in part, upon the earlier translation work of William Tyndale. While the Coverdale Bible was not widely used, it helped pave the way for later English translations.

See it on our History of the Bible Floor or at https://fal.cn/3gByt.

The Coverdale Bible was the first complete English translation of the Old Testament, Apocrypha, and New Testament. #ArtifactoftheDay

Myles Coverdale was an English priest and religious reformer. He published this Bible in Belgium in 1535, building, in part, upon the earlier translation work of William Tyndale. While the Coverdale Bible was not widely used, it helped pave the way for later English translations.

See it on our History of the Bible Floor or at https://fal.cn/3gByt.