©Ecclesiastes, Donald Jackson, 2006, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, © 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the Unites States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
© Revelation Incipit with the Son of Man, Donald Jackson, 2011, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, © 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the Unites States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
©Wisdom Woman, Donald Jackson, 2002, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Scripture quotations are from the Rew Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, Copyright 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
©Gospel of John Frontispiece and Incipit, Donald Jackson, 2002, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, © 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the Unites States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Hennepin Avenue UMC Fine Arts Team is delighted to welcome The Saint John’s Bible. Framed reproduction pages of this magnificent masterwork will on display in Carlson Hall from Thursday, August 4 through Wednesday, September 21.
In addition, a full-sized reproduction volume of The Saint John’s Bible, Gospels and Acts will be displayed at various times during this 6 week residency.
The Saint John's Bible is a work of art and a work of theology. A team of artists coordinated by Donald Jackson in Wales and a team of scholars in Central Minnesota have brought together the ancient techniques of calligraphy and illumination with an ecumenical Christian approach to the Bible rooted in Benedictine spirituality. The result is a living document and a monumental achievement.
The Origin of the Saint John's Bible
Beginning in 1970, Donald Jackson expressed in media interviews his lifetime dream of creating an illuminated Bible. Following a Saint John's sponsored calligraphy presentation at the Newberry Library in Chicago in 1995, Jackson discussed a handwritten Bible with Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB, former executive director of the Hill Monastic Manuscript Library at Saint John's University. Between 1996 and 1997, Saint John's explored the feasibility of the Bible project, Jackson created first samples, and theologians developed the illumination schema. The Saint John’s Bible was officially commissioned in 1998 and funding opportunities were launched. The public was introduced to the project in 1999.
The Saint John’s Bible reflects universal themes, including the goodness of creation, reality of salvation, and bond of the covenant. It also reflects the 1500-year-old tradition of Saint Benedict and his Rule. The following Benedictine themes receive particular attention:
Biblical Themes
The Saint John’s Bible speaks of the 1500-year-old tradition of Saint Benedict and his Rule, and the following Benedictine values in particular:
Hospitality
The Rule of Saint Benedict says the guest should be received as Christ. The Saint John’s Bible speaks to hospitality for the poor, the pilgrim, the seeker and the stranger.
Transformation
Benedictines take the vow of conversatio or conversion of life. Conversatio entails an ongoing process of aligning one's life more closely to the life of Christ.
Justice for God's People
Of special concern to Benedictines and all believers in biblical revelation is the constant call for justice for all of God's people who are equally worthy before God.
See the Saint John's Bible at Hennepin Avenue UMC
Dedicated to Jean Heidenreich
“This exhibit, initiated by our dear friend Jean Heidenreich, has been in the works for several years,” shared Mark Squire, “but has been postponed by pandemic and the rescheduling of the UMC General Conference.” Heidenreich, herself a talented artist and calligrapher, was a dynamic force within the Fine Arts Ministry until her death in October 2020. The team is dedicating the exhibit to Jean’s memory.
August 4 - September 21
In the Carlson Hall
Framed, reproduction pages of this magnificent masterwork will on display in Carlson Hall from Thursday, August 4 through Wednesday, September 21, 2022.
A full-sized reproduction volume of The Saint John’s Bible, Gospels and Acts will be displayed at various times during this 6 week residency.
Sunday, August 21
11am in the Carlson Hall
Sunday, August 21 following worship, three Saint John Bible Interns will serve as docents in Carlson Hall for any who would like a walking tour of the exhibit.
Those groups wishing a more experiential interface with The Saint John’s Bible, utilizing the spiritual practice of Visio Divina, should contact Mark Squire for scheduling options.
