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코리아헤럴드 / 1998년 11월 16일 / New museum displays biblical relics

관리자 │ 2021-07-16

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Bronze perutsts and other coins from the time of King Herod, jugs from Canaan and other relics from the ancient Orient are now on display at a newly opened museum dedicated to biblical archaeology.

 

The Abraham Park and Kenneth Vine Collection, which opened Nov. 7, seeks to preserve artifacts related to Christianity and other ancient civilizations such as the Roman and Byzantine empires and Egypt which have contributed to the birth and development of the religion.

 

``The sole purpose and message of this museum is to deepen man's understanding that God remains the same, even beyond the limits of time and space,' said Kim Hyung-il, chief curator of the museum and pastor of the nearby Pyung Kang Cheil Presbyterian Church.

 

The collection, whose pieces are all authentic, was donated by Kenneth Vine to his close associate Rev. Abraham Park, the founder of the Pyung Kang Church. And Park in turn set up the museum. Vine donated his collection out of his deep respect for the phenomenal growth of Christianity in Korea.

 

Vine, former president of Loma Linda University in California, has been collecting biblical artifacts for 40 years. Only about 600 of his 2,000-piece collection are currently on display.

 

Some of the relics date back as far as 4,000 B.C. and covers a variety of items ranging from Greek amphoras and seals to swords like the one the apostle Peter may have used to cut off the ear of a Roman soldier.

 

The historical and cultural significance of this collection is obvious to both believers and non-believers. The collection conveys biblical history through actual artifacts and explanations, and provides valuable research materials.

 

The collection, housed on the second through fourth floors of a modest six-floor building, attempts to trace the progression of the Christianity from Old Testament times to the crucifixion of Jesus.

 

It is divided into three sections under the interesting themes of ``The Works of God: Creation,' ``The Fall of Man' and ``The Salvation of Man.' ``The Works' presents containers such as jugs, Mycenaean and Philistine pottery, amphoras and other drinking and holding vessels.

 

In the Bible, God is referred to as the Potter and humans as clay vessels.

 

Many kinds of lamps from Herodian lamps to Greek oil lamps are also represented because they symbolize man's spirit as Proverbs 20:27 says, The Spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the inner most part of his being. Seals from the Crusades and Byzantine empire are included in this section as well.

 

``The Fall' mostly exhibits relics from Egypt and Rome. These two civilizations has historically been involved in the enslavement and persecution of Christians and Jews. Egypt is also mentioned in the Bible as land of idol worshippers while Rome was mentioned to be so decadent that the apostle Paul wrote the Epistles to Roman churches to warn them of the debauchery of the Romans.

 

This section presents some of the more interesting pieces of the museum including a mummified baby and royal hunting falcon. It also shows Egyptian scarabs and jewelry as well as Roman glassware.

 

``The Salvation' section exhibits ancient gems and jewelry which was how the New Testament described Jerusalem. The apostle John in the Book of Revelations described the walls of the holy city as being made of jasper and decorated with 12 kinds of precious stones.

 

One piece from the collection that particularly captures the eye is a partially burned scroll from 300 A.D. containing the last chapters of the Books of Numbers and Deuteronomy in Hebrew.

 

The museum, located in Oryu-dong in southwestern Seoul, is open everyday this month from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular hours will be set starting from next month. The museum is free of admission.

 

For more information, call 686-9497. By Edward Kim Staff reporter

 




이전글 교회연합신문 / 1998년 11월 15일 / 국내 성서고고학 발전 기대
다음글 매일경제 / 1998년 11월 20일 / 박물관 미술관 설립 잇따라