Hardin Center Brings New Addition to the Ink & Blood Exhibit
Oxyrhynchus Papyrus (P39)
Oxyrhynchus Papyrus (P39)
The Gospel of St. John (St. John 8:14-22)
Third century A.D.
Oxyrhynchus, Egypt
Handwritten on papyrus
This large leaf fragment from a papyrus codex discovered in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt and contains the text from St. John 8:14-22 in a large, widely-spaced, uncial Greek hand. Revealing twenty-five complete lines with upper and lower margins intact, the fragment represents approximately half of a leaf from a large early Christian codex, one of the finest early fragments ever found. It is probably the second earliest witness to this part of the text of the Gospel of St. John and is signified as P39 in the standard classification of the oldest records of the New Testament in Greek. The text, written in the original language, is the account of Jesus preaching in the Temple. The people challenge his right to give evidence on his own behalf, rather than with the testimony of two witnesses, as required by the Jewish law. "He replied, 'I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.' And they said to him, 'Where is your Father?' Jesus answered, 'You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also'" (verses 18-19). It includes the cryptic and prophetical verse 21, "Where I am going you cannot come."
When it was first excavated at Oxyrhynchus, it was by far the earliest witness to any part of St. John's Gospel. Subsequently, the manuscript now called Papyrus Bodmer II (P66) was discovered datable to around 200 A.D. and overlapped with the text of the P39. Papyrus Bodmer III (P75) includes large portions of St. John's Gospel and is similarly ascribed to the third century. No other papyrus or vellum fragment from before the fourth century includes any part of St. John chapter 8, and the next earliest witness to the text is the Codex Sinaiticus itself, generally dated to the fourth century. The text preserved here is extremely pure, and it agrees closely with the Codex Vaticanus from a century later.
This fragment was clearly from a codex, one of the oldest known, and it was evidently paginated (not foliated) by the original scribe, probably the earliest record of Christian biblical classification. Page number "74" is clearly evident in upper left-hand corner of recto making the fragment the oldest known document to contain a page number. The large and highly legible script suggests it may have been intended for liturgical use or for public reading. The sophistication and quality of the uncial script suggests a likely origin in the early Christian community of Alexandria rather than in the desert village of Oxyrhynchus, where it was found.
Ink & Blood Exhibit Opens
On May 1, the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts opened its 2009 blockbuster exhibition, “Ink & Blood: Dead Sea Scrolls to Gutenberg,” presented by Advanced Imaging of Gadsden. The opening of Ink & Blood marks the first time ever for Dead Sea Scroll fragments to be on display in northeast Alabama. The exhibition contains nearly 100 authentic artifacts and some of the most exciting archaeological discoveries ever made, chronicling the preservation of the most read book of all time – The Bible.
Ink & Blood includes 2000-year-old authentic Dead Sea Scrolls, 5000-year-old pictographic clay tablets from ancient Sumer (modern-day Iraq), and 4000-year-old Babylonian clay tablets. The exhibition also displays the greatest invention of the past millennium, a life-size working replica of Gutenberg’s Printing Press, which is credited with launching major social changes, including the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the birth of modern science. In addition to Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient clay tablets, and Gutenberg’s printing press, Ink & Blood also displays first edition English Bibles such as a Wyclif, the Geneva, and the King James. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience to come see the untold history of the Hebrew, Greek, Latin, German, and English Bible, the history of writing, the birth of modern printing, and the roles that these events played in the history of the world,” said Bobby Welch, Center for Cultural Arts executive director.
This exhibit brings together ancient historical writings, scrolls and manuscripts, the invention of the printing press with movable type and its impact on world culture, and the birth of the modern English Bible. These texts and Gutenberg’s printing press led to an explosion of interests in the arts, science, religion, and contributed to the education of the masses.
“Now is our chance, probably the only chance most of us will ever have, to see actual Dead Sea Scroll fragments, Babylonian tablets, many ancient Bibles and artifacts in a comprehensive and truly historic exhibition,” said Welch, who has been working on bringing this exhibit to Gadsden. No matter what your faith, there is something compelling about this exhibit. And for those that are only interested in history, what can be more fascinating than the history of writing and the invention of the printing press? The impact it has had on society, and the resulting speed of technological and social advancement, has been truly astounding.
And here it is in Gadsden, Alabama, one of only a few venues to exhibit it. We are very fortunate to have generous sponsorship to make this affordable for our community. Exhibit sponsors include: http://www.culturalarts.org/inkandblood/inkandbloodsponsorship.html
$25,000 level: Advanced Imaging of Gadsden
$10,000 level: Osborn Transportation, Exchange Bank of Alabama, Keystone Foods, Comcast, Lamar, WAVU AM 630, 105 WQSB and MIX 102.9, City of Gadsden, Etowah County Commission, Gadsden Etowah Tourism Board, The Gadsden Times, and the State of Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel. The exhibit runs from May 1 through December 23rd. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts hours are Monday – Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm, and Sunday from 1 to 5 pm.
Opening Weekend Events Schedule
Thursday, April 30 – 5 pm – 8 pm Sponsor’s and Pastor’s Sneak Peek
(pre-registration required, contact 543-2787, ext. 26 or email bobwelch@culturalarts.org )
FIRST Friday, May 1 – Hardin Center “Members Only” Sneak Peek 4-8 PM
6 PM Gutenberg Press Demonstration
(please check in at front desk, new members welcome to join…12 month memberships are only $50 Individual or $80 for full family)
Saturday, May 2 – 10 am – 8 pm Opening Day of Ink and Blood exhibit
Gutenberg Press demonstrations at 11 am, 2 pm, and 6 pm
1 pm lecture: DEAD SEA SROLLS , Barry F. Sullivan
Ink and Blood Associate Curator, Barry F. Sullivan, will present "The Truth About the Dead Sea Scrolls" . . . an historical account of their discovery, their amazing contents and their impact on the world of biblical scholarship!
3 pm lecture: HISTORY OF THE BIBLE , Barry F. Sullivan
Take a journey through 5,000 years of Western Civilization as Barry F. Sullivan, Associate Curator of Ink & Blood, explores topics such as the origins of writing, the Dead Sea Scrolls, handwritten and illuminated Latin Bibles, the revolution of Gutenberg's printing press, the first King James Bible, and the first Bibles printed on American soil.
Sunday, May 3 – 1 pm – 5 pm
Gutenberg Press demonstrations at 2 pm, and 4 pm
3 pm lecture: THE "LOST GOSPELS", Barry F. Sullivan
In recent years, scholars have suggested that the gospels which are presently in the Bible - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - are not the earliest nor the most accurate, and gospels such as the Gospel of Philip, the Gospel of Mary Magdelene and the Gospel of Thomas have an equal claim to be in the Bible. Are they right? Ink and Blood Associate Curator, Barry F. Sullivan, reveals an intriguing history of the "lost gospels" as he presents "Were the 'Lost Gospels' Really Lost?"
The public is invited to attend these free lectures, which will be held in the Community Room on the Hardin Center’s 1st floor. There is a no charge for the exhibit for Hardin Center members. Non-members pay $6 adults, $5 children (ages 3 – 12). Special group rates are available at $4.50 each advanced reservations. Audio tour headsets may be rented for $4 each. Exhibit operation hours are Monday – Saturday 10 am – 8 pm and Sunday 1pm – 5 pm.
The Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation operates the many projects out of the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts. Membership is a bargain and is often tax deductible. A 12 month Hardin Center membership costs only $50 for an individual and $80 for a family. Membership allows unlimited visits to the Dead Sea Scroll exhibit during its entire run. Other benefits include:
- Free admission to the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts (visit Ink and Blood as often as you wish)
- Free admission to Imagination Place Children's Museum
- Discounts on birthday parties (save 10%)
- 10% off Cultural Arts Coffee purchases proudly brewing Starbucks
- Free admission to more than 100 other participating museums and science centers
- Free admission to the Etowah Youth Orchestras’ Christmas Pops Concert
- Invitations to opening parties for art exhibits (with email reminders if you wish)
- No fee for School for the Arts classes ($15 savings) -discounts on art workshops
- Invitations to special events, like the Annual Charity Auction
- Subscription to the Center's quarterly newsletter
- A listing as a supporter in the Center newsletter
- Official plastic Center membership card
Explore www.culturalarts.org , www.culturalarts.org/inkandblood and www.inkandblood.com for more information.
The exhibit runs from May 1 through October 31st. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts hours are Monday – Saturday from 10am to 8pm, and Sunday from 1 to 5pm.
NOW BOOKING GROUP TOURS
“There are over 9,000 churches, shrines and temples within 100 miles of Hardin Center, and we mailed them all a postcard. Plus the Alabama Baptist ran a story on the exhibit and focused on the group tour aspect.” said Pat Welch, group tour coordinator for the upcoming “Ink and Blood” exhibit. “We have already booked a good number of groups and lots of groups, not just churches, have been inquiring about traveling to Gadsden. A group of seniors from Dothan had heard about it and called yesterday. In order to get the group rate discount, we are asking groups to make reservations. This way we can schedule visitors to where we have a better flow.” Our email address is inkandblood@culturalarts.org and the group rate is $4.50 each. Audio Tour Headsets are available for rent for $4 each.
SPEAKER SERIES BIO: Barry F. Sullivan
Barry has a broad academic and professional history and comes to Ink and Blood with a background that uniquely prepares him for his position as Associate Curator.
Barry has a B.A. in Biblical Literature (New Testament), a Masters Degree in Systematic Theology (with a secondary emphasis in Historical Theology) and has completed post-graduate work toward his PhD in New Testament at Trinity in Chicago, Illinois. Before entering the business world, Barry’s ultimate career goal was to complete his PhD in New Testament and to teach at the seminary or university level. He has conducted classes in Greek, Systematic Theology and Historical Theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and has taught a course in Sociology of Religion for the Empire State College system.
His academic interests include: Pauline and Johannine studies; 2nd Temple Judaism and the Qumran community as well as the development of Nicene Christology.
In his “spare” time, you can find Barry reading the latest books in the field of New Testament studies, brushing up on his Greek and Hebrew, keeping an eye out for an ancient Roman or Greek coin (to add to his collection), or spending much-valued and greatly enjoyed family time.
Barry is married to the love of his life, Nancy, and has two sons, Nathan (married to Morgan), who is a graduate of Liberty University with a degree in history and Brandon, who is entering his third year of college and is majoring in biblical studies and film. His wife, Nancy, graduated with a degree in Bible and Theology from Cornerstone University and has special interests in both English Bible as well as Puritan Theology. Barry and Nancy currently reside with their youngest son, Brandon, in Knoxville, TN.
Explore www.culturalarts.org/inkandblood and www.inkandblood.com for more information.
For more information on this exhibit, or to schedule a group viewing, please contact
The Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts.
501 Broad St. Gadsden, AL 35901
P. 256.543.2787
E. inkandblood@culturalarts.org
