INK AND BLOOD: DEAD SEA SCROLLS TO THE ENGLISH BIBLE

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Authentic Dead Sea Scroll fragments, rare ancient Biblical manuscripts and historic Bibles highlight an unprecedented exhibition, known officially as Ink and Blood: Dead Sea Scrolls to the English Bible, which debuts in Knoxville on Sat., Feb. 5 at the Knoxville Convention Center.

William Noah, Ph.D., curator of the museum exhibition, worked for many years with Biblical scholars from around the world to gather more than 100 specific Jewish, Greek and Latin manuscripts, and rare Reformation Bibles from around world to tell a unique story seldom told -- the complete history of the Bible, focusing on the Bible in English.

^{The first ever attempt at printing in the West -- the Gutenburg Bible -- is the most famous book ever printed, and the most valuable. All surviving copies are illuminated or decorated, making it one of the most beautiful books ever printed as well. The exhibition has four leaves on display.}

“These priceless, ancient documents continue to inspire us today, and they came to us at a tremendous cost,” Noah says. “Many died in order that we might be able to read their words today. To me, it's overwhelming that they did this, but few know their names,” he explains his reason for creating this traveling museum exhibition.

“As the name of the exhibition implies, the Bible has been transmitted to us through the diligence of scribes and the blood of martyrs,” he says.

Some of the rare items include authentic Dead Sea Scroll fragments of the books of Genesis and Isaiah, several 5,000-year-old pictographic clay tablets from ancient Mesopotamia (the earliest form of writing in history), and a 2,600-year-old scroll containing the oldest known Hebrew writing on papyrus in the world and the earliest-known written example of the Hebrew name for God, "Elohim." Numerous Bibles include a medieval manuscript Wyclif Bible from the 15th century, which was the first translation of the Holy Book into English.

The exhibition also features a working replica of Gutenberg’s press, which brought the Bible to the masses in the 16th century with a profound impact on society. In addition to the interpretive displays, historians will be available to answer visitors’ questions, along with multimedia presentations and lectures given by visiting scholars, including faculty from the University of Tennessee.

^{Beautiful hand-written prayer books with brightly illuminated pages from the 15th century. Books of Hours were the principle representation of Scripture available in the Middle Ages.}

“The story of the Bible is intriguing, educational and moving, no matter what one’s age or religious beliefs,” Noah asserts. “As they burned John Rogers at the stake for his English interpretation of the Bible, his last words were, ‘Seal this with my blood!’ What could be more moving that that?”

The Ink and Blood exhibition opens in Knoxville at 9 a.m. on Sat., Feb. 5 and runs through Apr. 17 at the Knoxville Convention Center, located at 525 Henley St.

Ink and Blood adult tickets are $15. Matinee, senior citizen and student tickets are $12. Children 8 - 18 are $8, and children under the age of 8 are free.

Noah says that the exhibition provides an educational and entertaining activity for school groups, church groups, families and clubs, and group rates are available. Additionally, he's currently scheduling free Biblical history symposiums throughout East Tennessee. For more information or to order tickets, call 877.33BIBLE or visit www.InkAndBlood.com.