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My Vision for a Bible Museum

Introduced to ancient Bibles during his several assignments in the Air Force Chaplaincy, Dr. Hellstern began to collect ancient manuscripts and scrolls, early printed Bibles, and Bibles of our English Bible heritage. As he shared with groups his growing collection of Bibles along with some of the compelling history of how our Bible came to us, Dr. Hellstern’s vision began to foster the plan for a place, a Bible Museum where these ancient Bibles and their history could be free and open to all. Encouraged by endorsements and helpful counsel of many well-known Christian leaders and joined by Dr. Donald Brake, Biblical scholar, and also a collector of ancient Bibles, Dr. Hellstern persisted for over twenty years in major Bible exhibits in host museums in the mid-west. With media to share Bible history and a live demonstration of their Gutenberg Press, the vision drew the attention of Houston Baptist University. In 2008, both Dr. Hellstern’s collection of rare Bibles, along with Dr. Brake’s outstanding collection, joined the American collection at HBU to tell the complete story of our Bible’s history. Plan to visit anytime the university is open, and/or search the website at: www.hbu.edu/museums/dunham-bible-museum/about-the-museum/