The National Bible Association (@NationalBible) hosted a special Scripture reading event November 17 at 11 am at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. This reading was a precursor to the International Day of the Bible (@IntlDayofBible) (#BibleCelebration) which will be held November 23. Members of Congress and US Senate Chaplain Barry C. Black (@Chaplain_Black) read passages of Scripture from an original Aitken Bible, the only Bible formally approved by Congress.

[See our blogpost, A Collection of Bible Museums & Exhibits]

“The Bible has impacted every aspect of life, including the political history of America. I am thankful for the work of Chaplain Black to bring together an impressive group of our congressional leaders to read from the scriptures,” said Richard Glickstein, president of the National Bible Association. “The opportunity to read from the Aitken Bible just further reinforces the deep ties that our nation has with this great book.”

[See our blogpost, Join the International Day of the Bible: An Interview with Richard Glickstein]

The Aitken Bible has a unique place in the early history of America. Because of the Revolutionary War, all supplies were cut off from England to the colonies. Consequently the newly formed Congress of the United States instructed the Committee of Commerce to import 20,000 Bibles from “Scotland, Holland, or elsewhere.” Robert Aitken saw this as an opportunity. He petitioned Congress in 1781 to approve a complete Bible that he was preparing. It did and in September 1782 issued this statement:

“Resolved. That the United States in Congress assembled highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitkin, as subservient to the interest of religion as well as an influence of the progress of arts in this country and being satisfied from the above report (by the congressional chaplains), they recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States and hereby authorize him to publish this recommendation.”

Thus, Aitken printed the first complete English Bible in 1782 in America, which also stands as the only Bible ever formally approved by Congress. The Aitken Bible is provided for this event from the collection of Museum of the Bible (@museumofBible).

[See our blogpost, American History’s Entwined Relationship with the Bible: An Interview with Angela Kamrath]

Naticksqw Chief Caring Hands will read The Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew from the Eliot Bible in the original Natick language. She will be accompanied on the tribal hand drum by Tomorrow Eagle Woman. These Native Americans are descendants of the Indians that became Christians under the ministry of John Eliot and helped him translate the English Bible into their native tongue. Today, they practice their faith in the church that John Eliot established in 1651.

This event in Washington, DC set the stage for the International Day of the Bible to be held Monday, Nov. 23 at noon in local time zones around the world. People of all ages are invited to participate by pausing for a few minutes to read or sing Scripture or otherwise creatively express their love of the Bible. Free graphics regarding the event are available for download.

International Day of the Bible is sponsored by the National Bible Association. Bible Gateway, The American Bible Society, Scripture Union, YouVersion, Bibles for the World, and Museum of the Bible are encouraging participation within their own communities.

A person could simply read a favorite passage with family, friends, co-workers, and schoolmates, but participation can go beyond personal Bible reading. Other ideas include breaking into a flash mob, singing and dancing Scripture, painting or drawing a picture with a few lines of verse, or capturing God’s creations in photos, selfies included, and sharing them along with a beloved Psalm.

[See the Scripture Engagement section on Bible Gateway]

The National Bible Association, based in New York City, is a nonprofit, educational association of business leaders operating in the public square. Since 1940, the Association has focused exclusively on encouraging Bible reading in every sector of society regardless of religious or political distinction. For more, visit nationalbible.org.