Can Religions Overcome Their Sibling Rivalries?

B1 THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2017 Newest technology will tell ancient stories

Museum of the Bible to mix timeless artifacts with modern experiences

Peggy McGlone The Washington Post

With a subject sacred and central to diverse faiths, the Museum of the Bible aims to appeal to religions of all kinds, and to those who don’t believe in any. Washington’s newest museum — set to open Nov. 17 in a 430,000-square-foot building a few blocks south of the National Mall —willbefullofartifactsandexhibitions focused on the Bible’s long history and social impact. It will also sport high-tech activities anddisplaysthatwillconnecttheancient Work continues on an exhibit that will depict Nazareth and other places described as part of the life of Jesus. Costumed characters portray- text to contemporary life in fun and engaging biblical characters will walk through the exhibit. Michael S. Williamson, The Washington Post ing ways. The museum, which is the $500 million brainchild of Hobby Lobby chief executive Steve Green, will showcase some of the rarest of biblical tests — from Torah scrolls to 14th century illuminated manuscripts — along- side an amusement-park-like ride called Washington Destinations that takes visitors on a virtual aerial tour of Washington sites and an immersive experience of Jesus’ Naz- areth. There will be a children’s area emphasiz- ing courage, and an entire ﬂoor dedicated to Bible stories.

DIGITAL GUIDES, CUSTOM TOURS The museum takes a high-tech approach to the visitor experience, offering custom tours tailored to both time and interest. Guests receive digital guides that are con- nected to every gallery on the three main exhibition floors. As visitors approach a gallery or artifact, information or an activity is triggered on their devices. State-of-the-art video, augmented reality and interactive dis- Above, Steve Green, president of Hobby plays complement the historic and textual Lobby, is the Museum of the Bible’s presi- artifacts. dent and has been its driving force. Right, The museum has a research arm that sup- the upper floors of the museum will have ports scholars from academic institutions aperformance hall with walls capable of The museum will sport high-tech around the world. Its educational depart- showing video to enhance the performances. ment is developing curriculums for schools, Washington Post activities and displays that will connect including public schools in Israel. A nonprofit corporation founded in 2010, the museum has renovated the former When construction is complete, the the ancient text to contemporary life in Washington Design Center. The project has museum will house a 472-seat performing meant demolishing the interior, lowering artshall,abanquetareathatcanseat420,a fun and engaging ways. thegroundfloortoaddbasementspaceandGrand Rapids Press - 05/18/2017 restaurant andCopy rooftop Reduced garden. The to glass-en-80% from original to fit letter page Page : B01 building a glass enclosure on the roof. closed top floor offers views of downtown.

INTERFAITH INSIGHT Canreligionsovercometheirsiblingrivalries?

Douglas Kindschi Director, tion in which I was raised. “The logic of passage then follows with the genealogy of Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU Isaac was chosen in the Hebrew Scripture both Isaac and Ishmael. telling of the story, but Sacks points to the scarcity – of The sibling narrative continues in that An important inspiration for my inter- extraordinary length to which the text goes same chapter with the story of Jacob and faith work has been the writings and presen- to insist that Ishmael will be blessed by God. alpha males Esau, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. tations of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. He has written more than The Lord tells Ishmael’s mother, Hagar, “I Most of us remember how Esau sold his 30 books and hundreds of articles, essays and blogs. The will so increase your descendants that they and chosen birthright to his younger brother in a most videos of his lectures are readily available on the internet, will be too numerous to count.” (Gen. 16:10) impetuous act for a mere bowl of homemade including at his website, rabbisacks.org. He served as God then tells Abraham, “As for Ishmael, I sons – has no soup. Then Jacob received the blessing as the chief rabbi for Great Britain for 22 years, and it was my have heard you. I have blessed him and will the eldest as well as the birthright by trick- great pleasure to meet and hear him lecture at Cambridge make him fruitful and multiply him exceed- place in a world ing his blind father. University. He was awarded the Templeton Prize ingly.” (Gen 17:20). God again tells Abraham The devious act of Jacob, along with in 2016. that he will make Ishmael into a nation, made by a God Esau’s indignation, led to many years of Hisbook“NotinGod’sName:ConfrontingReligiousVio- “because he is your offspring.” separation between the two brothers. Jacob lence” describes the Abrahamic religions as engaged in a When Hagar is in the desert and fearing whose ‘tender married, had children and accumulated classic sibling rivalry that often is based on the idea that for Ishmael’s life, God calls again to her, say- considerable wealth, not always honorably, only one can be the privileged, favorite child. That such ing, “What troubles you Hagar? Fear not, for mercies are on but it was time for him to return to his own religious jealousy can and does lead to violence is reflected Godhasheardthecryoftheboywhereheis. land.Thiswasafrighteningprospect,given in Genesis, when the first recorded act of worship is Help the boy up and take him by the hand, all his works.’ Esau’s vow to kill him. Finally, on his return, followed by the first recorded murder, when Cain for I will make him into a great nation.” Jacob has an encounter with the angel (or kills Abel. (Gen. 21:17-18) …Brotherscan as the text suggests, was it with God?). That “Such has been the history of the relationship between TheHebrewtextisclearthatIsaacischo- encounter changed Jacob, and his approach Judaism, Christianity and Islam,” Sacks wrote. “The sen but Ishmael is not rejected. Sacks calls live together in to Esau led to their embrace. Brothers can younger believes it has prevailed over the elder. Christian- it “the most radical of monotheism’s truths: live together in peace! ity did so to Judaism, Islam did so to both. … Each regards thatGodmaychoose,butGoddoesnot peace.” Before Jacob could be at peace with Esau itself as the heir to the covenant with Abraham. Strife is reject. The logic of scarcity – of alpha males and with himself, he had to wrestle with written into the script. It may lie dormant for centuries, and chosen sons – has no place in a world Rabbi Jonathan Sacks God regarding who he really was: one with but its seeds lie intact, ready to spring to life once circum- made by a God whose ‘tender mercies are on a stolen identity, or one who can be true to stances favor religious revival. Each defines and defends all his works.’ … Brothers can live together himself and even love his former enemy. itself by negating the other.” in peace.” Are the children of Abraham today con- He then devotes four chapters to further stories of sibling Perhaps the brothers did find peace. The demned to carry out a sibling rivalry, pit- rivalry in Genesis: Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, and Bible says, “Abraham breathed his last and ting religion against religion? Or can we Joseph and his brothers, concluding with a chapter on sib- died in a good old age, an old man and full embraceeachotherandlivetogetherin lings working together: Moses, Aaron and Miriam. of years, and was gathered to his people. peace? In each of these stories, Sacks points out aspects that are Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in usually ignored in the telling, at least in the Christian tradi- the cave of Machpelah.” (Gen. 25:8-9) The [email protected]