The first Bible we ever owned was an illustrated children's version, with line drawings of plump prophets and disciples on every page and succinctly retold "highlights" of Scriptural stories. That was our introduction to the idea of a holy text with interesting pictures alongside, and since then we've seen many more specimens of artfully decorated scriptures; some were erudite and centuries-old, and some a little more tongue-in-cheek. We've developed a rather strong, geeky fondness for it, and that's why this is exciting news:

We had heard that Saint John's University over in Minnesota was working on a contemporary version of an illuminated Bible, the first handwritten and illuminated Bible ever commissioned since the invention of the printing press back in the 16th century. And now--oh history-dorkish glee!--the first three volumes of that project have been completed and 100 beautifully crafted pages are in Tacoma for awhile, available to the gaze of curious Pacific Northwestern eyes.

More details about what you'll see, after the jump!

What you'll see at the Tacoma Art Museum exhibit: a hundred pages in total of the Gospels and Acts, the Pentateuch, and the Psalms. To those curious, the ecumenical team of theologians decided to use the New Revised Standard Version. This translation has been approved by both the Canadian and US Council of Bishops for use by Catholics, is widely used among Protestant denominations, and has a reputation for walking a graceful balance between an appropriately academic English rendering for those interested in studying the text and keeping the prose and poetry both beautiful and accessible to modern readers.

The interfaith, international project is the product of thousands of hours of labor by scribes and artists, and was directed by Donald Jackson--Queen Elizabeth II's official calligrapher. Naturally, the Saint John's Bible is inscribed on calfskin vellum and done in the traditional quill and hand-made ink; there will be approximately 160 illuminations in the completed project. According to the website, Donald Jackson's saving Revelations to inscribe and illuminate personally.

This is worth the quick trip to Tacoma! The exhibit opened on July 12 and will be at the TAM until September 7. Details about hours and directions here. Reproductions are available to purchase... ooooh! Our propensity towards cool-Bible-lust just kicked in!