For centuries, prior to the invention of printing in the Western world, the text of the Bible was preserved in manuscript form. From the hand-copied manuscripts of the post-New Testament and Medieval periods to the hand-copied Bibles of the early Reformation period, the text of Scripture was preserved by God to assure that the Word of God--his plan, principles, and purposes--would be accessible to man created in His image. This exhibit presents examples of manuscript portions of the Bible from the 1st to the 15th centuries, leading in 1455 to the production of the first printed Bible, the remarkable Gutenberg Bible, seen in the exhibit in facsimile form. Following that momentous event, the printed Bible could be distributed to the masses.

Upcoming exhibits in the Biblical Heritage Gallery

Love in Any Language: John 3:16 - March 2025 through May 2025

Leaving a Legacy: Cedarville University Presidents, 1954-2025 - August 2025 through October 2025

Dawn of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura - October 2025 through December 2025

The Biblical Heritage Gallery, a service of University Archives and Special Collections, is located on the upper level of the Centennial Library at Cedarville University. It is open during regular library hours.