& THESAINT JOHNS BIBLE Frequently Asked Questions 2005 QI. Why has Saint John’s University commissioned a handwritten Bible? What is the significance of a handwritten Bible? Igniting spiritual imagination ‘+ Fis handwriten Bible in the modera era, commissioned by a Benedictine Monastery Using ancient techniques Incorporating modern methods and themes At the onset ofa new millennium, Saint John’s University and the monks of Saint John's Abbey are seeking to ignite the spiritual imagination of people throughout the world by commissioning a work of art that illuminates the world today. This willbe the fist time in 500 years that a Benedictine Monastery has ‘commissioned a handwritten, illuminated Bible. Its construction will parallel that of its medieval predecessors, written on vellum, using quills, natural handmade inks, hand-ground pigments and gold leaf while incorporating modem themes, images and technology of the 21st century. Q2. What is the history of handwritten Seriptures? Are they still ereated today? Christan inition The other two monotheistic fiths Judaism, [sam (As well as other religious traditions) 4s far as we know, the last complete handwritten, illuminated Bible was commissioned shorly after the invention of the printing press atthe end of the 15th century. Although Judaism continues the practice of the handwritten Torah, and Islam does so with the Qu’ran, Westem Christianity has virally discontinued {he practice of handwriten Bibles since the invention ofthe printing press. It should be noted that Buddhism and Hinduism also have a calligraphic tradition QB. What will make this Bible unique? * Ic isthe first handwritten, illuminated Bibles commissioned in 500 years + Combination of ancient methods and materials with modem themes, mages and technology "Reflection of Sain John’s commitment to Scripture and the Book ANS Source of spiritual anstc, educational and scholarly programming Most people have never seen a book this large. * Most have never seen such an endless steam of elegant sept * Most have sen neither gold-laf nor pages of vellum to whieh iis applied ‘The unique aspect of the Bible i that it will bea Bible for our time. It will be a combination of ancient ‘methods and materials wth themes, images and technology of the 21st century and beyond. The Saint Joke's Bible will represent mankind's achievements over the past 500 years. It will be a contemporary blending of religious imagery from various Eastern and Western traditions, a belts our modem understanding ofthe glabal village. This Bible rellects Saint John’s commitment to Scripture and to the Book Ais, as well as to spiritual, arstc, educational and scholarly prograraming,When people see the Bible they are immediately impressed by the sheer physicality of The Saint Jon's Bible. Most have never seen a book this large. Most have never seen such an endless stream of elegant script. Most hhave seen neither gold-leaf nor pages of vellum to which itis applied, Too many are accustomed to Bibles that feature cramped type on onion-skin paper. and so they never anticipate the spacious pages and the carclully-planned arrangement of text thet invites one to linger over phrases, words and even letters. This bible literally presents the Word of God as something special Q4. Why Saint John’s Abbey and University? = uilding on Benedictine heritage * Natural expansion ofthe Book Aris programs sponsored by Saint John’s and Saint Benedict's For fifteen hundred years, Benedictine monasteries have acted as producers and protectors of books. In keeping with that heritage, Saint John’s has become an international center af the Book. Ants. Saint John’s has well established programs celebrating the history ofthe book, including the Hill Monastic Manuscript LUbrary (HMML), Arca Artium, and the Rate Books Collection. Scholars from all over the world conduet research using the resources at Sait John's. Its partner in education, The College of Saint Benedict, has its own Books Arts Program, in which it works closely with Graywolf Publishing, The Sain John's Bible continues that tradition. The process of creating the Bible incorporates ancient art forms with modern {echniques in a joint celebration ofthe traditional arts of bookmaking and modem seience and sensibility QS. What role does Saint John’s play in the creation of the Bible project? Monks, faculy, administrators and staff * Commitee On illumination and Text (CIT) ‘Saint John's is not only the patron of the Bible, luc has played a vital role in assembling the team of advisors, faculty, theologians, administrative staff, and artists that are collaborating on this project. Saint John’s Committee on illumination and Text (CIT) decides which passages of the Bible will be illuminated and work with Donald Jackson, calligraphic artist, on the imagery used to depict these scripture passages, ‘with an eye to interpreting them for ou time 6. What isthe goal of The Saint John’s Bible? Who do you intend to reach, and what message are you trying to convey? © To ignite spiral imagination throughout the world + Todevelop programs related to The Sain John's ible in spirally, att and eduestion ‘Tobring alive the Word of God ln the new millennium The goal of The Saint John’s Bible isto ignite the spiritual imagination ofall peoples throughout the world by commissioning a work of ar that illuminates the Word of God for new millennium, in away tha is relevant to the 21st century. It is @ prophetic witness to the Word of God in our day and beyond, an ‘opportunity for learning and scholarship and a dignified expression ofthe Benedictine vision: "That in al things God may he glorified.” QY. Why did Saint John’s University choose Donald Jackson as the calligraphic artist for The Saint John’s Bible? Why wasn’t an American artist chosen for the Project? [esas Donald Jackson's lifelong dream wo hanlvtte the Bible “+ Mr Jacksons leadership role in Calligraphy workshops at Sain John's + One ofthe work's foremost Wester calligraphers 1 Scribe to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's Crown Office at the House of Lords Global perspectiveDuting an interview with Barbara Walters on The Teday Show in 1970, Donald Jackson expressed his lifes dreamn. When asked about his ultimate ambition, he indicated that one day he would like to write the Bible. Later he described it this way: The Bible isthe calligraphic anist's supreme challenge our Sistine Chapel, 1 daunting task." Donald Jackson is considered one of the world's foremost Western calligraphers and has tained and encouraged many of America’s tp caligraphers. He has a long and illasraive relationship. with Saint John’s. For more than two decades, he has led seminars and workshops hosted by Saint Job's forthe internationally recognized Calligraphy Connection. A Member of the Victorian Order, he is scribe to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's Crown Ofice at the House of Lords. His education included six years of specialization in Calligraphy, Lettering and Bookbinding. Mr. Jackson brings 4 global perspective to The Saint John’s Bible Project. He has ssid this project is his "Sistine Chapel." and together we are committed to completing this historic undertaking Q8. Where is Donald Jackson's scriptorium located? Does he work alone or in collaboration with other calligraphers? ‘| Working in Wales with other calligrapher and artisans Working at Saint Joln’s with artis and theologians Donald Jackson's scriptorium is located in Wales where he spends moat of his time working on The Saint John’s Bible, He leads a tear of calligraphers writing and illuminating the Bible. The team is made up of skilled scribes, some who work atthe scriptorium and others who take pages of vellum back to their own studios. Mr. Jackson comes to Saint John's on a regula basis. There he consults with the Committee an lumination and Text, meets with friends of the project and spends time on the Saint John's campus. Q9. Why have you chosen to use the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible? Chistian scholars from the major churches * Theologially sound ‘The translation ofthe Bible known as the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) was chosen for The Saint John’s Bible for a number of reasons, lis predecessor, the Revised Standard Version ofthe Bible, had the distinction of being officially authorized for use by all major Christian churches: Protesiant, Anglican Roman Catholic and Easiem Orthodox. The NRSV is a modern English translation wath a strong literal tradition. employs gender-inclusive language for references to men and wornen, usually done in a non- oberusive manner. QUO. When will the Bible be completed? What will be its dimensions? = Gospsl and Acts of Apostles (the frst volume to be completed) May 2002 * Last volume—2007 * Aoi of seven volumes, each 15 4° wide by 23.9" all when closed "Total number of pages, approximately 1,150 Gospels and Acts of the Apostles was the first volume of The Saint John’s Bible to be written; completed in May 2002, Pentatcuch was completed in August 2003 and the Book of Psalms was completed in April 2004, There are four more volumes to complete —Prophets, Wisdom Books and Poetry, Histatical Books and Letters and Revelation. The final completion is scheduled for 2007. The Bible in seven volumes will be large for liturgical and exhibition purposes (15 ¥° wide by 23 %4" tall when closed)