Museum of the Bible

10/06/2021

Do you remember the “Matthew’s Bible” we shared yesterday? Our #artifactoftheday was created as a revision of the “Matthew’s Bible” in 1539. Known as the “Great Bible” due to its page size, it is the only Bible ever to be “authorized” in Britain.

In 1534, the Upper House of Convocation of Canterbury petitioned King Henry VIII to authorize a Bible in the English language. Revised by Miles Coverdale, this new translation was to be placed in every church in England. Learn more about the "Great Bible" at https://fal.cn/3iPnD.

Do you remember the “Matthew’s Bible” we shared yesterday? Our #artifactoftheday was created as a revision of the “Matthew’s Bible” in 1539. Known as the “Great Bible” due to its page size, it is the only Bible ever to be “authorized” in Britain.

In 1534, the Upper House of Convocation of Canterbury petitioned King Henry VIII to authorize a Bible in the English language. Revised by Miles Coverdale, this new translation was to be placed in every church in England. Learn more about the "Great Bible" at https://fal.cn/3iPnD.

10/05/2021

Jonathan Edwards, a Congregational minister, was one of the First Great Awakening's most prominent preachers. He was born #OTD in 1703 in Connecticut. His infamous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” was preached on July 8, 1741. The text for this sermon came from Deuteronomy 32:35: “Their foot shall slide in due time.”

You can learn more about Jonathan Edwards, the First Great Awakening, and “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” on Floor 2.

Jonathan Edwards, a Congregational minister, was one of the First Great Awakening's most prominent preachers. He was born #OTD in 1703 in Connecticut. His infamous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” was preached on July 8, 1741. The text for this sermon came from Deuteronomy 32:35: “Their foot shall slide in due time.”

You can learn more about Jonathan Edwards, the First Great Awakening, and “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” on Floor 2.

10/05/2021

If you like mysteries, then keep reading. 🤔

After William Tyndale’s death, his associate John Rogers published a new English Bible in 1537 under the pseudonym Thomas Matthew. The text from Joshua through Chronicles is believed to be the work of Tyndale, left in Rogers’s care after Tyndale’s arrest. The rest of the translation adheres closely to translations by Tyndale and another English translator, Miles Coverdale.

Learn more about our #artifactoftheday here: http://motb.me/ivvdv4.

If you like mysteries, then keep reading. 🤔

After William Tyndale’s death, his associate John Rogers published a new English Bible in 1537 under the pseudonym Thomas Matthew. The text from Joshua through Chronicles is believed to be the work of Tyndale, left in Rogers’s care after Tyndale’s arrest. The rest of the translation adheres closely to translations by Tyndale and another English translator, Miles Coverdale.

Learn more about our #artifactoftheday here: http://motb.me/ivvdv4.

10/03/2021

Since it’s Sunday, we decided to go easy on you. The first four books of the New Testament are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and ____.

a. Jacob
b. John
c. Josh
d. Jerry

10/03/2021

The Lunar Bible contains all 1,245 pages of the King James Version of the Bible, but it's only 1.5 square inches. What makes it lunar? This Bible has been to the moon! View our #artifactoftheday on our Impact of the Bible Floor or at https://fal.cn/3iGpF.

10/02/2021

Museum of the Bible Magazine | Museum of the Bible

What do Martin Luther’s signature and the el-A’raj excavations have in common? They’re both featured in Museum of the Bible Magazine this week. Read the articles here: https://fal.cn/3iFUs.

Museum of the Bible Magazine offers a new way to engage with the museum. We’ll look more deeply at some of our exhibitions, take you into one-on-one interviews with special guests, and join our curators in exploring some of their research into the Museum Collections.

10/02/2021

#DYK the Bible has inspired some of the most enduring artworks in the history of humankind?

It’s inspired philosophers and philanthropists, scientists and statesmen, musicians and moviemakers, and many more besides. Languages, names, governments, social controversies, sweeping historical movements, even the ways we understand time—all have been shaped by the Bible.

Come explore our Impact of the Bible Floor as we discover the many ways the Bible has influenced culture. 🌎

#DYK the Bible has inspired some of the most enduring artworks in the history of humankind?

It’s inspired philosophers and philanthropists, scientists and statesmen, musicians and moviemakers, and many more besides. Languages, names, governments, social controversies, sweeping historical movements, even the ways we understand time—all have been shaped by the Bible.

Come explore our Impact of the Bible Floor as we discover the many ways the Bible has influenced culture. 🌎

10/02/2021

Have you heard of “The Women’s Bible”? If you haven’t, you’re not alone.

Our #artifactoftheday was the controversial work of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and a committee of women scholars and activists.
Although the campaign for women’s rights, particularly the right of women to vote, gathered increasing momentum in late nineteenth-century America, there was much opposition.

This Bible was a response to those who opposed women’s rights and became a best seller. Learn more about this two-part book here: https://fal.cn/3iFOY.

Have you heard of “The Women’s Bible”? If you haven’t, you’re not alone.

Our #artifactoftheday was the controversial work of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and a committee of women scholars and activists.
Although the campaign for women’s rights, particularly the right of women to vote, gathered increasing momentum in late nineteenth-century America, there was much opposition.

This Bible was a response to those who opposed women’s rights and became a best seller. Learn more about this two-part book here: https://fal.cn/3iFOY.

10/01/2021

Would you rather name the animals (Genesis 2:20) or build the ark (Genesis 5:32–10:1)?

10/01/2021

The Bible is So ... Dangerous!

The Bible is so ... dangerous! Associate Curator of Medieval Manuscripts Brian Hyland is here to tell us why.

We are excited to announce our very first “The Bible is So … Live!” Join us on October 7, 2021. This event is for members only, so what are you waiting for? Become a member today at http://motb.me/k1l2v6.

10/01/2021

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, was born #OTD in 1924. He received this copy of the “New Marked Reference Bible” in 1975, shortly before he was elected to office. It was a Christmas present from his brother Billy.

The Bible includes President Carter’s personal notes as well as the contact information of his Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Washington, DC. See our #artifactoftheday on our Impact of the Bible Floor or at https://fal.cn/3iEbC.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, was born #OTD in 1924. He received this copy of the “New Marked Reference Bible” in 1975, shortly before he was elected to office. It was a Christmas present from his brother Billy.

The Bible includes President Carter’s personal notes as well as the contact information of his Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Washington, DC. See our #artifactoftheday on our Impact of the Bible Floor or at https://fal.cn/3iEbC.

09/30/2021

Have you heard of the Thomson Bible? It was the very first complete Bible ever printed in America by a woman! Jane Aitken printed it in 1808.

This #artifactoftheday is called the “Thomson Bible” because it was translated by then former Secretary of Congress, Charles Thomson.
Learn more on our Collections page: https://fal.cn/3iCL5.

Have you heard of the Thomson Bible? It was the very first complete Bible ever printed in America by a woman! Jane Aitken printed it in 1808.

This #artifactoftheday is called the “Thomson Bible” because it was translated by then former Secretary of Congress, Charles Thomson.
Learn more on our Collections page: https://fal.cn/3iCL5.

09/30/2021

It’s beginning to look a lot like that time of year again! 🎄

We are so excited to partner with Operation Christmas Child and we need your help to pack more boxes than ever this year. Come pick up your empty shoebox outside the Museum Shop or by our Courageous Pages children’s area in the Grand Hall.

It’s beginning to look a lot like that time of year again! 🎄

We are so excited to partner with Operation Christmas Child and we need your help to pack more boxes than ever this year. Come pick up your empty shoebox outside the Museum Shop or by our Courageous Pages children’s area in the Grand Hall.

09/30/2021

Jean-François Champollion is a well-known scholar and philologist. But #dyk he worked on deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs?

In September 1822, he recognized for the first time that the Egyptian hieroglyphic script was a combination of signs representing consonants as well as whole words and classes of words.

Once he understood this, he was able to decipher many hieroglyphic inscriptions. This opened the way to rediscovering much about ancient Egypt's civilization and history, which, in turn, provided scholars with much new knowledge and insight into the history of ancient Israel and many of the events and stories found in the Hebrew Bible.

Jean-François Champollion is a well-known scholar and philologist. But #dyk he worked on deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs?

In September 1822, he recognized for the first time that the Egyptian hieroglyphic script was a combination of signs representing consonants as well as whole words and classes of words.

Once he understood this, he was able to decipher many hieroglyphic inscriptions. This opened the way to rediscovering much about ancient Egypt's civilization and history, which, in turn, provided scholars with much new knowledge and insight into the history of ancient Israel and many of the events and stories found in the Hebrew Bible.

09/29/2021

#DYK people have gone to great lengths to have a Gutenberg Bible? In 2009, a colonel responsible for guarding a Gutenberg Bible stole the two-volume work from its safe. Four years later, when he tried to sell it, he was arrested by his own agency.

In 1969, a young man hid in a bathroom in a Harvard library until after closing. Putting the two large volumes into a backpack, he tried to make his escape but was found the next morning after falling from his escape window. The two volumes of the Bible were returned to the library and the young man was admitted to the hospital.

You can see pages from a Gutenberg Bible on our History Floor.

#DYK people have gone to great lengths to have a Gutenberg Bible? In 2009, a colonel responsible for guarding a Gutenberg Bible stole the two-volume work from its safe. Four years later, when he tried to sell it, he was arrested by his own agency.

In 1969, a young man hid in a bathroom in a Harvard library until after closing. Putting the two large volumes into a backpack, he tried to make his escape but was found the next morning after falling from his escape window. The two volumes of the Bible were returned to the library and the young man was admitted to the hospital.

You can see pages from a Gutenberg Bible on our History Floor.

09/29/2021

This amber glass bowl was made using the slumping technique. Do you know what the slumping technique is?

In this technique the bowl is formed around a mold; only the inside ever touches the mold. The rim is decorated with two linear-cut concentric circles. See this bowl on our History Floor or on our collections page: https://fal.cn/3iAiN.

This amber glass bowl was made using the slumping technique. Do you know what the slumping technique is?

In this technique the bowl is formed around a mold; only the inside ever touches the mold. The rim is decorated with two linear-cut concentric circles. See this bowl on our History Floor or on our collections page: https://fal.cn/3iAiN.

09/28/2021

Do you recognize this face? Come listen to four world-renowned Shroud experts explain the mysteries of the Shroud of Turin on October 9, 2021. Dr. Cheryl White, Russ Breault, Father Peter Mangum, and Joe Marino will discuss this 14-foot linen cloth believed by millions to be the burial shroud of Jesus of Nazareth.

This extraordinary event previews our interactive exhibition about the Shroud, opening on February 26, 2022. Purchase your ticket here: https://fal.cn/3iyWp.

Do you recognize this face? Come listen to four world-renowned Shroud experts explain the mysteries of the Shroud of Turin on October 9, 2021. Dr. Cheryl White, Russ Breault, Father Peter Mangum, and Joe Marino will discuss this 14-foot linen cloth believed by millions to be the burial shroud of Jesus of Nazareth.

This extraordinary event previews our interactive exhibition about the Shroud, opening on February 26, 2022. Purchase your ticket here: https://fal.cn/3iyWp.

09/28/2021

#DYK the children’s Bible genre developed in Europe, where children’s Bibles were flourishing by the end of the 1600s? When Europeans began settling in America, they brought the idea with them. The popularity of children’s Bibles has not waned. A search for children’s Bibles at an online retailer can yield more than a thousand results!

This is a page from a children's Bible in Spanish in our collections: https://fal.cn/3iyNF.

#DYK the children’s Bible genre developed in Europe, where children’s Bibles were flourishing by the end of the 1600s? When Europeans began settling in America, they brought the idea with them. The popularity of children’s Bibles has not waned. A search for children’s Bibles at an online retailer can yield more than a thousand results!

This is a page from a children's Bible in Spanish in our collections: https://fal.cn/3iyNF.

09/28/2021

This military equipment belonged to Pvt. George R. Rome, one of nearly 180,000 African Americans who fought for the Union Army during the Civil War.

When the Civil War began in 1861, he and other African Americans were initially denied enlistment. However, the US government reversed its policy in 1863. Rome eventually joined the 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, participating in several campaigns, including Sherman’s famous March to the Sea. He survived the war and died in 1900.

This equipment is part of a small collection of his items in the museum’s care, including his pocket New Testament. Learn more on our Impact Floor or at https://fal.cn/3iywX.

This military equipment belonged to Pvt. George R. Rome, one of nearly 180,000 African Americans who fought for the Union Army during the Civil War.

When the Civil War began in 1861, he and other African Americans were initially denied enlistment. However, the US government reversed its policy in 1863. Rome eventually joined the 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, participating in several campaigns, including Sherman’s famous March to the Sea. He survived the war and died in 1900.

This equipment is part of a small collection of his items in the museum’s care, including his pocket New Testament. Learn more on our Impact Floor or at https://fal.cn/3iywX.

09/27/2021

The Bible and Fashion

Crosses worn by rock musicians, professional athletes, and Hollywood celebrities have become commonplace. Sometimes they're worn as a religious statement, sometimes as a fashion statement. It's a surprising symbol — rather like wearing a miniature guillotine or electric chair around your neck. So how did it become such an ever-present icon? Watch this video to find out.

09/27/2021

#DYK Julia Ward Howe was a poet and author best known for writing the lyrics to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” in 1861? This #artifactoftheday features an article by Howe in “The Cosmopolitan.”

“Recollection of the Antislavery Struggle” is a nine-page article that includes illustrations, featuring a drawing of Howe at the beginning of the article. She first published her writings anonymously in 1853 and advocated for abolition and women’s suffrage. After the Civil War, Howe focused on women’s rights, including establishing the Association of American Women. Learn more about Howe and her work here: http://motb.me/xe67xx.

#DYK Julia Ward Howe was a poet and author best known for writing the lyrics to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” in 1861? This #artifactoftheday features an article by Howe in “The Cosmopolitan.”

“Recollection of the Antislavery Struggle” is a nine-page article that includes illustrations, featuring a drawing of Howe at the beginning of the article. She first published her writings anonymously in 1853 and advocated for abolition and women’s suffrage. After the Civil War, Howe focused on women’s rights, including establishing the Association of American Women. Learn more about Howe and her work here: http://motb.me/xe67xx.