“If the Bible isn’t the Word of God, why should we listen to it?”
It’s a good question, and one raised often by Dan Buttafuoco, a sharp-minded New York attorney and avid Bible collector. Since the Bible claims it’s the Word of God more than 2,000 times, he said, he sees two options: either it is the Word of God, “or it’s a big hoax.”
Buttafuoco is president of the Historical Bible Society, a traveling exhibit with an impressive spread of rare artifacts. It’ll stop at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association headquarters May 28 for a special presentation hosted by the Billy Graham Library. The event is open to local pastors and Friends of the Library.
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“I want people to have an appreciation for the fact that the Bible is the Word of God, and I want them to understand the care in which it has been preserved for our use,” said Buttafuoco, who holds a degree in theology.
The title of his traveling presentation is a long one—5 Reasons Why the Bible is the Most Important Book You’ll Ever Read—but it’s understandable considering the weight of the topic. One reason for the Bible’s importance is that it’s transformed the world; another is that it’s the most accurate ancient book in history—as Buttafuoco explains during his presentation.
“It’s not just hearsay,” said Sam Mikhail, who manages the Historical Bible Society tour. “It’s not just ‘Believe it because God says it.’ Yes, that’s true. But there’s enough evidence, enough manuscript evidence, to prove that the Bible is the most authentic book in civilization.”
Both Mikhail and Buttafuoco have been involved in Billy Graham Crusades over the years.
“Billy Graham always placed a high emphasis on Scripture,” Buttafuoco said, and he’s right.
As Mr. Graham once put it, “The Bible is not an option; it is a necessity. You cannot grow spiritually strong without it.”
Here in the United States, though, easy access to the Bible is often taken for granted, Mikhail said, adding that lives have been lost preserving something we typically have within arm’s reach.
Buttafuoco is passionate about preserving ancient texts, and it’s hard for him to pick a favorite from his 20-plus years collecting them: “They’re all like my children; it’s hard to say.”
Guests who attend the May 28 presentation will have a chance to see some incredible pieces, like a 1553 illustrated Bible and a 1911 mini King James Bible printed to commemorate the 300-year anniversary of the first printed KJV. Guests will also lay eyes on a page from the first Bible printed in America, an Algonquin (Native American) language Bible that was one man’s life’s work.
Buttafuoco will shed light on the culture behind the pieces as well as their significance. One Billy Graham Library staff member who recently saw some of the items called the traveling museum “jaw dropping.”
Become a Friend of the Library to attend special events like this one, hosted by the Billy Graham Library. Friends of the Library help ensure that Library visitors can experience the Gospel free of charge. Just last year, nearly 145,000 people visited the Library, with 847 committing their lives to Christ for the first time.
Already a Friend of the Library? Or a local pastor? Join us for a presentation by the Historical Bible Society on Thursday, May 28, from 6-8 p.m. at the BGEA headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.
