New Insights into Scripture’s Role in America’s Founding

A rare collection of original letters, family Bibles, and founding-era artifacts is providing fresh insights into the role of Scripture during the nation’s founding. These artifacts are currently featured at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., as part of a new exhibition marking America’s 250th anniversary. This collection explores how Scripture influenced the early years of the United States through original documents and historical objects.

The exhibition includes several items of great historical significance. Among them are the first Bible printed in English in America, family Bibles owned by notable founding figures, and an original letter from Thomas Jefferson addressing religious freedom. These pieces collectively trace the presence of biblical language throughout the founding era, highlighting its influence on discussions about liberty, education, and public life.

Anthony Schmidt, director of collections and curatorial at the museum, explained to Fox News Digital that the exhibit uses primary sources to explore the Bible’s impact on early American history. Schmidt emphasized the integral role of the Bible in the nation’s formation, noting that it served as a reference point and was used by the founding fathers to construct political frameworks centered on human dignity and liberty.

One section of the exhibit focuses on how Scripture was embedded in everyday life during the early years of the nation. It showcases the first Bible printed in English in America alongside family Bibles belonging to several founding fathers and other notable historical personalities. Schmidt remarked that these items were chosen to narrate the most comprehensive story possible about the Bible’s influence on America’s founding generation.

The exhibit also examines the intersection of faith and government through Jefferson’s writings on religious liberty and one of the nation’s earliest published arguments against tyranny. Visitors have the opportunity to view Revolutionary-era printed materials that helped unify the colonies, documents tracing early Jewish civic life in America, portraits of George Washington and other colonial-era figures, along with a hand-colored lithograph memorializing Abraham Lincoln, and busts of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.

Schmidt stated that one of the key objectives is to encourage visitors to engage directly with original historical documents. He expressed the intent for visitors to understand the historical impact of the Bible through primary sources, showing its influence on those who helped build the country.

Despite disagreements among the founding fathers regarding religion, the historical record reveals that many were influenced by the Bible’s language and arguments. Schmidt concluded that the exhibition invites people to interact with this evidence and form their own conclusions.

Kelly McGreal serves as a production assistant with the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.