APU Celebrates the King James Bible’s 400th Anniversary
Azusa, Calif—Azusa Pacific University celebrates the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible (KJV) October 24-November 21, 2011. Known for its remarkable literary influence, the KJV is the most popular English Bible ever written. To mark the occasion, the APU campus will host a series of lectures, presentations, and three unique exhibits.
Creation and Illumination: The 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible
The exhibit of handwritten manuscripts and illuminated Bible leaves dates back as early as 1250 and tells the history of the Bible as a book, and its translation from handwritten to printed text, and eventually, from Latin to English. The exhibit features Azusa Pacific’s five large folio Black Letter editions of the King James Bible. This exhibit can be viewed in Darling Library, Mon.–Thurs., from 9 a.m.–9 p.m., and on Fri. from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
The Four Holy Gospels
Artist Makoto Fujimura brings a modern take on the Bible to APU through his art exhibit, The Four Holy Gospels, crafted for the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. Fujimura is a Presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts and has served as an advocate for the arts in the U.S. and abroad. This is the only West Coast showing of the exhibit before it travels to Japan. The Four Holy Gospels can be viewed in Duke Art Gallery, Mon.–Fri., from 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Historic Black Churches of Los Angeles
Through period photographs, maps, and illustrated banners, the California African American Museum (CAAM) celebrates the role of local Black churches as cultural, political, and social centers for their communities in historic Los Angeles. This exhibit can be viewed in Duke Art Hall, Mon.–Thurs., from 9 a.m.–9 p.m., and on Fri. from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
During the month-long celebration, Azusa Pacific will host a number of events that reflect and explore the KJV from diverse interdisciplinary perspectives—from history and political science to theology, music, and the arts. Prominent guest speakers include:
- Dr. Steven Galbraith, Andrew W. Mellon, curator of rare books, Folger Shakespeare Library
- Makoto Fujimura, renowned artist, author, and speaker
- Dr. Liana Lupas, curator, American Bible Society
- Dr. Patricia Pongracz, director of curatorial affairs, Museum of Biblical Art
- Michelle Burford, journalist and senior editor, O' The Oprah Magazine
- Eric Metaxas, New York Times bestselling author and writer for VeggieTales
To schedule an interview with an APU faculty expert, Makoto Fujimura, or the CAAM director, please call Rachel White, assistant director of public relations, at (626) 815-4502, or email rewhite@apu.edu. For a complete schedule of events, visit http://www.apu.edu/kingjamesbible/.
