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Pepperdine Hosts Exhibition of Rare and Historical Bibles

Garden of Desire, The Saint John’s Bible.
Copyright © Terry Anderson Photography

The Special Collections and University Archives will host a display of rare Bibles from Tuesday, May 4, to Friday, May 7, to coincide with the annual Bible Lectures at Pepperdine University. The exhibition will be displayed on the second floor of Payson Library, Malibu, and will include a volume of the Saint John's Bible, a first edition of the Geneva Bible from 1560, the first Bible printed in a European language in America from 1743, leaves from medieval manuscript Bibles, and several other notable Bibles.  

Pepperdine Libraries will also partner with the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art to host a special exhibit of the Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition—in addition to the volume on display in Payson Library—on display in the museum from Wednesday, May 5, to Saturday, May 15. Created by expert artists and calligraphers, the Saint John’s Bible is the first illuminated, handwritten Bible of monumental size to be commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in more than 500 years. One volume from the Heritage Edition will be on display along with framed art representing the other volumes.

The reproduction is one of only 299 copies of the original Saint John’s Bible that will ever be produced. The first was presented to Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in April 2008. The reproduction has involved the finest printing experts and binders in the world to ensure faithful representation of the original Bible. Each page and illumination has been scrupulously compared to its original counterpart to guarantee accurate reproduction.

"Pepperdine University’s 2010 Bible Lectures provide an ideal setting for the beautifully displayed fine art reproductions of the Saint John’s Bible," says Jim Triggs, executive director of The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Program. "The Saint John’s Bible is a work of sacred art that glorifies the Word of God and ignites the spiritual imagination of people throughout the world. We encourage the attendees to spend time with the illuminated pages and learn more about this gift made possible by the Benedictine monks of Saint John’s University."

For more information, contact Melissa Nykanen at (310) 506-4434, or visit the Pepperdine Libraries website.