The EMU library is one of 40 in the nation, and the only library in the state of Virginia, hosting an exhibit on the King James Bible, titled the Manifold Greatness Traveling Exhibition. Photo by Lloyd Wolf. Folger Shakespeare Library.

Exhibit on 400-Year-Old King James Bible at EMU

The library at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) is hosting a unique exhibit on the King James Bible beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 23.

The exhibit, “Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible,” celebrates the anniversary of the 400-year-old holy book. The EMU library is one of 40 in the nation, and the only library in the state of Virginia, chosen to host the exhibit.

EMU will host an opening reception and lecture on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 2 p.m.

“We are emphasizing the variety of ways the King James Bible influenced American society, literature and culture,” said Stephanie Bush, EMU instructional services librarian. “This is a unique opportunity to bring the Harrisonburg community together to discuss one of the most widely read books in the world.”

Bush says the EMU library, which is partnering with the Massanutten Regional Library, is offering a series of programs to appeal to Bible scholars in addition to the general public. Presenters include professors from EMU, James Madison University and the University of Virginia.

A full schedule of events can be found on the EMU library website.

The exhibit includes fourteen graphic panels that combine narrative text with images of rare books, manuscripts and art that are printed on double-sided banners.

Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible, a traveling exhibition for libraries, was organized by the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. It is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, with assistance from the Harry Ransom Center of the University of Texas, to mark the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible. The traveling exhibition was made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Admission to the exhibition is free.  For more information visit the EMU Manifold Greatness website or contact Stephanie Bush at 540-432-4170; or stephanie.bush@emu.edu.

Discussion on “Exhibit on 400-Year-Old King James Bible at EMU

  1. This is a great opportunity to allow people to understand the greatness of the original KJV of the Bible that more may choose to read it again for the poetic understanding of scripture.
    Have we allowed too many versions by Bible printing companies as they attempt to sell us one more new version that is supposed to be better than the last.
    Praise The Lord, The Original KJV is alive and well in our broken world.

    Blessings,

    Wendell Schloneger

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