A remarkable assembly of original letters, family Bibles, and artifacts from the nation's formative era is shedding new light on the profound role of Scripture in the United States' establishment. This significant collection is currently featured at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., presented as a special exhibition commemorating America's upcoming 250th anniversary. It delves into how biblical principles and texts shaped the country's nascent years through a curated display of primary documents and historical items.
Key highlights of the exhibit include the very first Bible printed in English on American soil, personal Bibles once owned by various founding fathers and other notable early Americans, and an authentic letter from Thomas Jefferson discussing religious freedom. Collectively, these historical documents illustrate the pervasive presence of biblical language during the founding era, demonstrating its influence on evolving discussions surrounding liberty, educational practices, and civic engagement.
A spokesperson for the museum, Schmidt, emphasized the Bible's fundamental role in the nation's genesis and subsequent history.
"The Bible has been an integral part of this nation's founding and history," Schmidt stated. "That's not a theological claim; it's what the documents show. The founding fathers referenced Scripture, argued from it, and built political frameworks on its language about human dignity and liberty."
Scripture in Early American Life and Thought
A dedicated segment of the exhibition explores how scriptural texts were woven into the fabric of daily existence during America's formative period. This section showcases the inaugural English Bible published in America, alongside personal Bibles belonging to several prominent figures of the founding generation. Schmidt noted that these artifacts were deliberately chosen to present what he termed "the fullest story possible" regarding the Bible's impact on those who established the nation.
Schmidt further explained,
"These objects show the Bible's impact not only on religious life, but on early American art, education and politics."
Faith, Governance, and the Pursuit of Liberty
Another compelling part of the exhibit delves into the intricate relationship between religious conviction and governmental structure. This exploration is facilitated through Jefferson's extensive writings on religious freedom, alongside one of the country's earliest printed treatises advocating for resistance against oppressive rule.
The collection also features a variety of other significant items, including printed materials from the Revolutionary War era that played a role in fostering colonial unity, documents illustrating early Jewish civic engagement in America, and portraits of George Washington and other notable figures from the colonial period. Additionally, a hand-colored lithograph commemorating Abraham Lincoln, and busts depicting both George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, are on display.
Schmidt emphasized that a core objective of the exhibition is to encourage attendees to interact directly with these primary historical sources.
"We want visitors to encounter the history of this country and see, in the primary documents, what impact the Bible actually had on the people who built it," he articulated.
He further pointed out that despite frequent disagreements among the founding fathers regarding religious matters, historical evidence indicates that many were nevertheless profoundly influenced by biblical language and concepts.
"Many of the founders disagreed about religion, and disagreed sharply, but they were still shaped by the Bible's language and arguments," Schmidt concluded. "We want people to engage with that evidence and come to their own conclusions."