Page 22 - Holyland Magazine - 2020 Edition

A statue of Sir Isaac Newton Amrbose, Hexameron

mission has been both simple and ambitious.
We seek to invite all people, regardless of their
faith or tradition, to engage with the narratives,
history and impact of the Bible. We do so
through an exciting array of public events and
educational programming, as well as through
permanent and temporary exhibitions. Since
our opening, we have welcomed well over one
million guests.

In fall 2020, Museum of the Bible will open
a new temporary exhibition which explores
the Bible’s historical impact on the study of
the natural world. This year-long initiative is
made possible in part by generous grants
from the John Templeton Foundation and the
Blankemeyer Foundation. My colleagues and
Nature- along with that of numerous other contributors,
I at the museum are grateful for their support,
which will allow us to create an exhibition that
is as timely as it is compelling.
Knowledge- Ancient Partners
The relationship between the Bible and
science has long been a topic of debate.
Today, it is not uncommon for people to think
of them as very separate subjects. Science,
Faith in the minds of many people, is grounded in
the firm terrain of facts. The Bible, on the other
hand, pertains to matters of faith. Indeed,
popular movies, books and television often
portray these two as being in opposition. Some
even claim religion, and the Bible in particular,
has been an obstacle to scientific progress.

By Anthony Schmidt Yet, this narrative does not align with the
is woven throughout the various writings that historical record. For much of Western history,
ncient people, like people today, were would form both the Hebrew and Christian most Jewish and Christian scholars saw no
fascinated by the natural world. Ancient Bibles. These passages left a profound impact such clear distinction between the Bible and
Jews and Christians were no different. on the way subsequent generations would science—between faith and reason. They
They looked at the vast night sky in think about nature. In doing so, they helped instead viewed the study of nature as an
Awonder, they marveled at the orderly shape the development of what today we call essential part of truly knowing God. In this
progression of the seasons, they reflected “science.” sense, the Jewish and Christian traditions
deeply on the life cycles of plants, animals, and helped promote and nurture the scientific
people. Their sense of awe and curiosity with A little over two years ago, Museum of the disciplines we know today. Conflicts have
nature, and their understanding of its meaning, Bible opened its doors in Washington, DC. Our certainly arisen. However, it hardly defines this

22 Nature-Knowledge-Faith