DC Museum Works to Save Thomas Jefferson‘s ’Cut & Paste’ Bible
- Posted on March 12, 2011 at 10:03am by
Meredith Jessup
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By literally cutting and pasting biblical passages demonstrating the life and lessons of Jesus Christ from several Bibles, Thomas Jefferson put together a book that he titled “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth” during his retirement in 1820. The former president’s finished product would become known to historians as the Jefferson Bible.
"The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth" (CNN)
Nearly 200 years later, conservationists at the National Museum of American History are working to carefully preserve the 86-page book and preparing to put it on display in November.
Over time, the book’s brittle paper has become less flexible and prone to easy tears. But paper conservator Janice Stagnitto Ellis told CNN the real problem lies in the book’s binding.
French and English Bible verses pasted side-by-side in the Jefferson Bible (CNN)
“Without doing modifications to the binding, we could open the book [to] about a 30-degree angle before the paper would be required to bend, which it couldn’t do,” she said. “It became un-exhibitable.”
The Smithsonian’s goal is to display the book propped opened to a 90-degree angle to allow museum visitors to glimpse Jefferson’s handy work, which includes passages from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in English, French, Latin and Greek — all pasted side by side so Jefferson could compare the various translations of Christ’s work.
“The Jefferson Bible is important today because of the unique insight it provides into the religious beliefs of the author of our Declaration of Independence, and the way in which it vividly reflects Jefferson’s own understanding of the First Amendment to the Constitution as it guarantees ‘freedom of religion,’” the museum’s website states. “At the very least, it is an artifact that resulted from the extraordinary mind of one of the nation’s most important founding fathers and Enlightenment thinkers.”
One of Jefferson's English "source" Bibles shows where the founding father cut out passages (CNN)
To construct the Jefferson Bible, the nation’s third president used six different “source” Bibles — two in English, two in French and two that included both Greek and Latin. With an extra copy of each, Jefferson could use the front and back of pages without worrying about missing what‘s on the pages’ reverse side.
Jefferson also used his cut + paste method to alter some biblical grammar.
On one page, he apparently didn’t like the number of prepositions in a verse from Matthew that started, “For as in the days that were before the flood …“ He cut out the word ”as,“ changing the scripture to ”For in the days that were before the flood …”
The Smithsonian originally acquired the Jefferson Bible from his great-granddaughter in 1895 for $400. Starting in 1904, copies of the book were distributed to all newly elected members of Congress. The practice ended during the 1950s.
Also part of the Smithsonian display will be digitally scanned images of the book’s pages.
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Comments (87)
avigirl
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:18pmThomas Jefferson was studing the Bible by cross referencing; a biblical principle. Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept,precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
Report Post »Pawhuska
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 10:31pmWaltermelon
Report Post »Gal. 3
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Gal 5
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Rom 7
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Col 2
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Rom 10
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Rom 3
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Eph 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
dawg of gawd
Posted on March 13, 2011 at 11:11amI never will, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance, or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others.
Report Post »- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Edward Dowse, April 19, 1803
Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 10:22pmGreat story Blaze, thank you. The book is available on Amazon too. The time and focus people invested in their passion back then without the distraction of modern life. It was still more difficult than it seems. Takes patience.
Report Post »KoKoMo
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 6:50pmI’ve seen a copy of the Jefferson Bible and it is remarkable. Also interesting to note is the Aitken Bible which was commissioned by Congress I believe. Hmmm. Our Judeo-Christian roots are showing. Oops.
Report Post »goatkid
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 6:15pmWhat a wonderful piece of history. I hope it can be preserved.
Report Post »ILUVJESUS
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 5:44pmYeah, if someone tells Obama this he’ll start having someone cut up books that are in the pubic domain and put his name on the cover as author!
Report Post »Hisemiester
Posted on March 13, 2011 at 11:39amMost likely, already has. Ha
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 4:16pmsurprising that obama has not decided this is useless trash and ordered it destroyed for being Christian.
Report Post »Catharsis
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 6:08pmIt isn’s Christian. Jefferson was NOT a Christian, he did however view Jesus as a regular and mortal man, worthy of being remembered for his moral teachings.
joan k
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 3:22pmWhere do people get the idea that Jefferson was a Deist? He was more likely opposed to organized religion. He did attend some services on occasion but what he disavowed was organized religion. He studied the ancient Israelites and he believed that the Anglo-Saxons were descendents of the lost tribes based on their practice of Judeo-Law as handed down to the Jews from Noah.
Report Post »Catharsis
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 6:09pmMore likely? Your posts shows me you don’t know what you are talking about. People aren‘t guessing Jefferson’s a deist, its a well known FACT.
chickenfried
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 3:21pmDon‘t worry so much about Jefferson’s Bible…read your own.
Report Post »Waltermelon
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 5:59pmExcellent life-saving advice my friend! Read ALL OF IT.
Report Post »Greyhound424
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 2:55pmWOW! That is so cool!
Report Post »Grandpa's Attic
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 2:20pm“And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”
Way to go Jefferson..and now I see why the DC Museum wants to add this to their progressive collection.
Report Post »sbenard
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 2:03pmAnd this is the President that many progressive historians want us to believe wasn’t a Christian?!
Report Post »afishfarted
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:37amso far, I think most readers are missing this point. I would think it shows that our founders did spend time in scripture and wanted to create a nation on Biblical principles. Jefferson to compare the different accounts–side by side. Would a secuarlist of the day have a desire to do that? I think not
Report Post »dawg of gawd
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 2:14pmWould a secularist labor to de-mythologize the bible? Absolutely.
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:37amAfter reading a bit of it, this looks to me to just be a personal journal of important passages,not a revision of the Bible. People personally annotate Bibles and highlight relavant(to them) passages. It seems as though He just took it another step. He seems to have known the Bible so well he simply was showing how thoroughly redundant all of the writers were and instead of allowing crossreference he just does the story once. I wouldn’t change the word, but I am not Thomas Jefferson. Who really knows what he was doing.
Report Post »Catharsis
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 6:12pmHistorical letters and documents relating to Jefferson seem to tell us he did indeed intend to “revise” it. Jefferson rejected claims of miracles, and the divinity of Christ and revelation. He was no Christian, and he intended to salvage the worthy moral teachings and bring them together in one document.
Report Post »Apologist
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:35amYou too can make a Jefferson Bible. Simply delete any miraculous event from the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) and ignore the Gospel of John. It appears Jefferson had a problem grasping the concept of a God that is both transcendant and personal.
Report Post »maryslittlelamb
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 12:02pmI agree. There are many good people who fully embrace the teachings of Christ but for whatever reason find it difficult participate in the idea of His transcendance. I submit that the best course is prayer for these people to one day be imbued with the same light insofar as they’re almost home, just not quite there yet.
Report Post »StevenM
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:31amThe book is available. The Jefferson Bible The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth. I have a copy. It removes the Diety of Christ Jesus and is heavily edited. It makes Jesus just another man. The forward is by Forrest Church, a well known universalist. It is an interesting read but it is NOT the Bible. It is printed by Beacon Press for the unitararian universalist association of congregations. I tell you all this for information, but certainly not as a recommendation.
Report Post »csmatteson
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:13amWhy doesn’t someone PRINT this bible in a modern edition for interested parties to read?
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:29amHere is a link to a PDF of it.
Report Post »http://www.pattonhq.com/links/uccministry/jeffbible.pdf
Blacktooth
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 6:38pmIt is not a Bible. It is a collection of scriptures for his own use and study. Come on people, everyone of us do the same thing. The only difference is you or I are not famous.
Report Post »Our “notes” will be thrown away, Jefferson’s “notes” are to be saved.
912828Buckeye
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:05amWhy did congress quit giving them out in the 50s?
Report Post »maryslittlelamb
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:50amBecause Madalyn Murray O’Hair reared her ugly head.
Report Post »dawg of gawd
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 2:13pmWhy would god bow to Madeline Murray Ohara?
Report Post »Waltermelon
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 5:50pmA name that is better forgotten…
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 4:22pmmaryslittlelamb –
Tragically, Madeline Murray O’Hare ended up as a murder victim along with two others and buried in an unmarked grave somewhere in Texas, I believe. Her son, the one that she caused all the fuss about, is a believing Christian and when the remains were found, had his mother’s remains quietly buried at an undisclosed location.
It’s kind of sad, when you think about the whole thing.
Report Post »CrackerSmurf
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:02amWhy would a diest make a bible?
Taquoshi
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:24amJust in case your question is serious, Jefferson did not “make” a Bible. What he actually did was collect the passages of Scripture that he wished to either emphasize (today we call it highlighting) or to create his own abridged version of the “Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth”. It is not a Bible, despite the fact that people refer to it as such. It was created by Jefferson for his own use and never intended to be distributed as a Bible. The existance of the book along with the “source Bibles” provide an insight into how Jefferson viewed Christ.
As a scholarly man, Jefferson had a fascinating mind and if he did not recognize or acknowledge the deity of Christ, he certainly recognized the fact that the man was what we today would call a “holy” man. Jews in Christ’s day addressed Christ as “Rabbi”, which is Teacher.
I am pleased to hear that the books are being digitally preserved and can be printed out as needed, since paper eventually does crumble.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 10:59amFor decades I have heard of this book. But I have never seen it. I wonder if it is online. It would be interesting to see exactly what portions of the Gospels he cut out.
I don’t know how I feel about copies being given to new Congressman, or what the cessation of that practice might hvae done. Are people better off being given a half-truth than none at all?
Report Post »Rough_Ashlar
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:51amThe Unitarian Church (of which Jefferson was a member for a time) publishes the Jefferson Bible.
Report Post »I, in fact own a copy of it, and am proud of that.
supertas
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 10:50amStopped handing them out in the 1950′s to newly elected members of Congress, and look at all the outstanding, patriotic, selfless politicians we’ve had since then. Oops, wait a minute, my bad.
Report Post »emertz8413
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 10:49amAn interesting look at an interesting and important figure in our history.
Report Post »Goldenyears22
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 2:30pmI wish he had been a believer in the sense that he could see the Bible is the Divine Word of God. But since it seems he picked and chose, I’m glad that he thought Jesus a wonderful person to live like, which he did not always, but at least though Jesus had many good things to emulate. I’m one that believes He is the eternal Son of God, a member of the God Head, with God and is God thorughout all of time, which we cannot comprehend. Sent to the earth to be our redeemer and give us eternal salvation and life. I’m sorry that Jefferson missed the most important message of all.
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 2:54pmThe ideas and beliefs of Jesus are noble. I would be on the same boat as Jefferson to say that as a secular teacher, Jesus did good things. Would it hurt for people to emulate Jesus and his teachings? Of course not. He taught a way to live a good life, as a good person. Was he divine? I don’t believe so. Did he rise from his grave? Doubt it. Who knows though?
rmurfster
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:55pm@American Soldier
“The ideas and beliefs of Jesus are noble. I would be on the same boat as Jefferson to say that as a secular teacher, Jesus did good things. Would it hurt for people to emulate Jesus and his teachings? Of course not. He taught a way to live a good life, as a good person. Was he divine? I don’t believe so. Did he rise from his grave? Doubt it. Who knows though?”
From C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, The MacMillan Company, 1960, pp. 40-41.,
Report Post »“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
poverty.sucks
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 10:48amIf only Thomas Jefferson had a computer!
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:02amEven today this practice is suitable for studying the bible and lifes application. Avoid having to make marks in your bible, photo copy pages and make all the notes you need. Most bibles are given away, no worries about copyright enforcement. It’s Gods word for your use. Therefore, use it.
Report Post »chickenfried
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 3:20pmThomas Jefferson WAS a computer
Report Post »BrokePimpStyles
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 10:31amfor as many people hold christianity as their religious theory, each seems to have their own manual. Guess Mr. Sally Hemmings was no different..
Report Post »Titania
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 12:26pmSuch ignorance displayed! The supposed Sally Hemmings angle has been fully retracted; Jefferson was completely exonerated through DNA yet the myth continues. Yes, he was a deist, not a follower of Jesus but he understood the idea of “Freedom OF religion” does not and never did mean “Freedom FROM (and government sponsored discouragement/disparagement of) religion”
Marylou7
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 10:18amThat is possibly the greatest thing the Smithsonian has ever done.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 10:38am“Starting in 1904, copies of the book were distributed to all newly elected members of Congress. The practice ended during the 1950s.”
This practice should be reinstated NOW, and should be required reading along with the Constitution no less than once a month be EVERY member of Government!
hersey10
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 10:48amWow !!! I hope this is followed up on .
Report Post »WISEPENNY
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 10:51amKudos for the Smithsonian, but shame on Jefferson for editing to suite his liking. The word “as” denotes the comparison that the verse and the following verse were meant to convey. Removing the word “as” detracts from the comparison made and, IMO, somewhat distorts the theme.
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
The word “as” links those days to the very days we are in now. It wasn‘t broke and he didn’t need to fix it.
Report Post »PubliusPencilman
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:27amFunny how this article carefully avoides mentioning how Jefferson cut the the divinity of Jesus, the resurrection, the miracles and the prophecies from the Bible. Jefferson essentially presents a secular-philosophical Platonic Jesus–something I very much doubt Beck and his hordes would agree with.
PATTY HENRY
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 11:32amThomas Jefferson had a great many good qualities and did good things for our country, but this Bible was his least achievement. He didn’t believe in the Miracles of GOD, because it ‘didn’t make sense to him’…showing a complete arrogance and self-centeredness…I hope that before he died, he was able to recognize that ALL things come from/through GOD and the GOD he thought was GOOD became the Majestic Creator of the Universe, capable of all things…otherwise, he missed the point entirely. This is just a silly book, this self-important edition of Mr. Jeffersons. It does not represent what the HOLY SPIRIT intends when He inspires the creation of God’s Word. Those who have Ears witll Hear.
Report Post »restorehope
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 12:19pmOur country was founded by men who had deep religious convictions, as evidenced by Jefferson and his Bible. That is precisely why America has been so successful for over 200 years. Our government’s foundation was laid on a bedrock of faith that has stood us well through many crises. And we should remain strong and proud because the faith of our fathers continues to guide us.
Report Post »caitlynsdad
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 12:57pmI wonder how Jefferson would feel about a cut-and-paste Declaration of Independence, or a cut-and-paste Constitution. Since Obama left “by their Creator” out of the enumeration of inalienable rights in the Declaration, it would seem that Obama is just following the cut-and-paste practice of Jefferson: get rid of all that inconvenient stuff you would prefer not to have been there in the first place, and see what we’re left with.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 1:27pmThis indeed is a national treasure worth preserving and I wish the best for the folks of the Smithsonian in their efforts; may it be back on display for the world in the future.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 1:31pm@Banjarmon
That would be an excellent idea; let each and every member of the house and senate receive one along with the president, and explain it to them what the history is for the early nations founders.
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 2:49pmActually, it’s not a great idea BANJARMON and Snowleapard. Am i not worthy of being an elected official because I don’t believe in God? Should one who does not believe in God, serve his country, be forced to read the Jefferson bible? I can imagine the uproar in here if someone suggested the Koran be read by all of Congress. Keep your religion in your own home, I don’t care how you live your life. Stop being hypocritical when it comes to religious rights. I have a right in this country to not believe, as much as you have the right to believe.
When it comes to public office, it needs to be neutral. Until the day America declares it’self 100% Christian nation and all others must leave, government needs to be secular. You can pray on your own time. You can read the bible all day on your days off, I don’t care. When you’re working (for the Government) you do your job. That’s it.
Waltermelon
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 4:39pm@banjarmon
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 10:38am
“Starting in 1904, copies of the book were distributed to all newly elected members of Congress. The practice ended during the 1950s.”
This practice should be reinstated NOW, and should be required reading along with the Constitution no less than once a month be EVERY member of Government!”
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Thats the problem with Churchianity. This pick-and-choose mentality of an incomplete bible has everybody doing their own thing. The New Testament did not exist in Jesus time. He went around teaching the correct application of Torah.
Without the Torah as a foundation, the New Testament is meaningless. Anyone who teaches that the Law was nailed to the cross, that person is either ignorant or a liar.
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Report Post »WhiteFang
Posted on March 12, 2011 at 6:02pmGive Thomas Jefferson a break, at least he was a Bible reader.
Report Post »How many of us make lists of favorite scriptures and put them in the back leaf of our Bibles?
Mr. Jefferson obviously did the same thing here. His notes were not for publication but was for his own use. It is inappropriate for us to criticize his work.
frgough
Posted on March 13, 2011 at 11:41am@PubliusPencilman,
I was thinking the same thing myself.
Report Post »Caffeinated Texan
Posted on March 13, 2011 at 12:43pm@Waltermellon:
Every Christian I know understands that the New Testament was written after Jesus’ time. It would be difficult to spread his teachings before he taught them. In fact, I have a suspicion that this is the reason the Old and New testaments are printed together in the same Bible, and most modern Bibles have notations in the margins that show you where in the Old Testament one can find the scripture that is relevant to what Jesus was teaching.
Report Post »QuietTexan
Posted on March 13, 2011 at 6:15pmI fully agree. The book should be preserved. Also it wouldnt do elected officials ANY harm at all to catch a glimpse of how Jefferson’s mind worked. Im curious why the practice of passing out copies of this or any other historical document stopped back in the ‘50’s. To those that say being elected isnt a religious post, no one says you have to believe nor follow what you read. But the Constitution that EVERY elected member of Congress PLEDGES to uphold and defend, was based on Christian principles. It does no harm to study it, or hear it read aloud nor to have related documents as part of your study.
Report Post »StonyBurk
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 8:30amAh–but I wish they had the Moxy to call it as Jefferson Did -The Life and Morals Of Jesus of Nazareth.
Report Post »In the letters he wrote to others of this work he did not publish, he intended it not as a replacement for the Bible -but he seemed to hope it might one day be used to introduce the native tribes to Christianity.
Though Jefferson was not a conventional Christian–but a doubter – one who was never ready to believe in the Miracles –Jefferson did believe Jesus was the “greatest man ever lived.Dr.Gene Scotts Bible Collection website tour gives an excellent overview of the wee little book Jefferson never called
his Bible.