Right in the middle of Washington, D.C., a brand new museum has opened up celebrating the world’s favorite book.
With a view of the Capitol Building, the new Museum of the Bible cost $500 million to open. It was largely paid for by the owners of Hobby Lobby, a popular arts-and-crafts chain store that isn’t shy about sharing their evangelical beliefs. As billionaires, the owners are the primary investors in what they believe is a necessary museum that pays homage to the Bible.
The separation of church and state is always a hot issue, especially in the nation’s capital. Despite the negativity often associated with the Bible and those that believe in it, the Museum of the Bible opened it’s doors in the middle of November.
The museum is large, containing 430,000 square feet of space total. The building is eight stories high, and the museum space contains many high-tech exhibits, as well as religious artifacts from all over the world.
Visitors to the museum have been excited with what the space has to offer.
“I’ve seen a lot of things, but this is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen,” 73-year-old visitor Jean Johnson stated. She was interested in an exhibit that explained the languages that you can’t read the Bible in at at this time, as the Bible hasn’t been translated in every language yet.
The museum has a number of goals, one of which is to teach others about the Bible and the stories held within. There are opportunities for individual instruction and self-study as well as curriculum materials designed for a large classroom. In addition, the collections include all kinds of religious artifacts from various cultures and time periods for visitors to look at. The museum also plans to create an online inventory of artifacts that are within the collection for people to view from afar.
The permanent collection of the Museum of the Bible includes printed Bibles, various manuscripts, biblical items, art and books. The Museum of the Bible is able to showcase the amazing history of the Bible and how it has had an impact throughout the world.
Admission is currently free. For those ready for an exciting, interactive tour of the museum, it’s time to reserve tickets. Memberships are available that give members the opportunity to be showcased on the One Million Names Wall, early admission before the general public, and other perks.
Individuals with a larger budget can support Museum of the Bible by becoming part of the Chairman’s Circle for $25,000. Filled with perks, this level of membership is topped off with two tickets to the annual dinner for the museum featuring a special keynote speaker and the Chairman of the Museum of the Bible.
In the past year, the United States has become more divided than ever before. Politics have polarized society, creating a need for faith to play a more prominent role in society. With the opening of the museum, the owners are hoping to bring more awareness about God and the Bible.
The stories in the Bible still have relevance in the modern world. Tales of famine, fighting and faith all bring people together in the name of God. In a world where people are turning away from religion, the owners of the museum are hoping to turn this trend around.
Without God, the world can feel meaningless. Many of life’s answers can be found in the Bible if you look closely enough. The Bible has been a book of wisdom followed by millions for many years, and today the Bible is getting the attention it deserves.
The museum is expecting people from all over the world, as news spreads of the various exhibits and educational opportunities offered at the museum. The object is simple, to teach more people about what is in the Bible and to kindle a desire to learn more about faith and what it means to be a follower of the Bible.
This museum is a great step in the right direction for many followers, and it can only bring greater knowledge to the masses.
~ 1776 Christian
