Nationwide Bible reading event marks 250 years of scripture in America

Washington D.C. is currently the site of a significant spiritual undertaking as the Museum of the Bible hosts 'America Reads the Bible.' This weeklong event, running from April 18th to 25th, brings together nearly 500 individuals to collectively read the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. The initiative, organized by the nonprofit Christians Engaged, is designed to mark the 250th anniversary of the Bible's presence in America and to encourage a renewed focus on Scripture in public life.

The event features a diverse array of participants, including prominent figures from politics, media, and entertainment, alongside representatives from government, education, business, and the church. Daily readings are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., following an opening celebration. Notably, US President Donald Trump is slated to deliver a recorded reading from 2 Chronicles 7:11–22, a passage historically used as a call to prayer, which will be broadcast from the Oval Office. This involvement underscores the event's aim to connect faith with civic engagement.

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Two years later, October 7 happened, and I looked out and said, ‘Why isn’t the whole world in an outrage about what happened?’

Actress Patricia Heaton, speaking at the opening, invoked the October 7th terror attack in Israel, calling for greater unity between Christians and Jews. She highlighted the creation of an organization focused on supporting Judeo-Christian values in response to the events. The 'America Reads the Bible' initiative is presented not just as a reading event but as a broader movement to reinforce the role of faith in American society, particularly as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. The organizers emphasize the importance of biblical literacy and civic participation, positioning the event as a spiritual anchor in contemporary public discourse.

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We created this organization … helping Christians and Jews come together and stand up for Judeo-Christian values.