Religious texts have always had a widespread impact, influencing our everyday customs, political preferences and even our concept of time. An annual exhibit at Hatcher Graduate Library, “A History of the Bible from Ancient Papyri to King James,” explores these themes and makes them more accessible to the public.

Running through March 31 this year, “A History of the Bible” is showcased in the Audubon Room of the Hatcher Graduate Library. The texts range from the Epistles of Paul (circa 2nd century C.E.) to a 1611 edition of the King James Bible.

In addition to possessing great religious significance, the displayed texts span a variety of subjects. The collection has served as a resource for students studying art history, religion and the honors curriculum, Great Books, but it also has other uses.

“One of the most important things (the exhibit) does besides telling the specific history of the biblical text is it … talks about communication of information,” said Peggy Daub, director of the Special Collections Library. “So in that sense you go from the ancient Egyptian papyri to the medieval manuscripts to the invention of … the movable type printing.

“It’s a history of how text is transmitted from one age to the next.”

The exhibit has attracted not only University members, but also the surrounding community.

“There are a lot of seminaries and theological schools, so it is not just for the campus,” Daub said. “In fact, a lot of groups come in from churches and also people from different schools where they are studying theology.”

In addition to the evolution of the written Bible, the collection features non-Biblical Christian texts, such as a Census Declaration from 119 C.E. and the Book of Enoch from 4th century C.E.

Daub also emphasized the importance of enduring themes in the texts. There are no manuscripts in the exhibit created after 1611, but the ideas they discuss are still relevant today.

“The fact that it stops at 1611 I think makes it seem a little foreign to people,” Daub said. “One of the things we’ve tried to do in the labels and text is to point out things that are eternal.”

Correspondingly, the exhibit addresses lasting concerns such as the preservation of texts and the conflicts between religion and politics.

“Most people would not have thought the act of translation as a political act,” Daub said. “The fact that people were burned at the stake, people were persecuted for taking it upon themselves to put the Bible in their own language whether it was Martin Luther in Germany or it was the people in England … is a surprise to many people.”

“A History of the Bible” features some of Hatcher Graduate Library’s most valuable documents. The exhibit has been displayed annually for the past 20 years. This year, the exhibit is extended to the end of March, due to the visit by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

“The Royal Shakespeare Company in England has commissioned some new plays that celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible next year,” Daub said.

“They are actually coming to campus in March … and that’s why we’re keeping the exhibit open longer so it will be open when they are here and people can come see the King James after hearing about it.”