The Van Kampen Collection is one of the largest private assemblages of rare Bibles, scrolls, artifacts, and biblical manuscripts in the world and is the centerpiece of Sola Scriptura's ministry. It is an expression of our commitment to God's Word and a tangible example of everything the ministry represents. The Collection affirms God's careful preservation of His Word and inspires a renewed appreciation for the Holy Scriptures. Sola Scriptura has partnered with The Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida, where the Collection is on loan and housed at The Scriptorium: Center for Biblical Antiquities. This interactive museum traces the transmission of God's Word over the centuries by exhibiting many of the items in dramatic displays. Special seminars highlighting certain manuscripts are presented to the public, and the entire collection is subject to ongoing scholarly research.

The Van Kampen Collection was founded in 1986 by Robert and Judith Van Kampen. In 1994 the Van Kampens established a privately-funded research library for the purpose of presenting the Collection to the academic community as well as the general public. The Scriptorium: Center for Christian Antiquities, located in Grand Haven, MI, housed the Collection and provided a unique setting for research, cataloguing, and the presentation of the holdings. In 2002, the Collection relocated to Orlando.

VK 405, Bible in Latin, Nicholas Jenson, Venice, 1479

Introduction

The Bible was written by forty different human authors over a 1500-year period. While the original Autographs were perfect, the process of hand copying resulted in derivations from the original texts. Although no major doctrines of the faith have been compromised, decisions about which reading is correct necessitates an on-going study. The Van Kampen Collection is a history of that study.

Unlike many older institutional rare book collections, the Van Kampen Collection continues to grow. Its distinct focus reflecting the historical transmission and various states of the biblical texts highlights the sovereign hand of God in the preservation of His precious word. An array of exemplary books and manuscripts from many cultures and eras makes the Collection an invaluable resource in the process of affirming the authenticity, accuracy, and authority of God's Word - the Bible.

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