Bible’s Role in Times of War

Throughout generations, many American service members have considered the Bible as an essential part of their journey into the unknown. The Bible has been a source of spiritual solace for soldiers, sometimes bearing prayers from families hopeful for their safe return. Unique versions, including those encased in metal, were designed to protect, symbolically, if not physically.

The Museum of the Bible’s exhibit, Bible in Times of War, highlights how these sacred texts provided hope and resilience to soldiers over numerous conflicts. Wesley Viner, an early modern curator and Marine veteran, curated this special display in Washington, D.C. Viner noted that the most powerful stories in the collection belonged to ordinary Americans whose contributions might otherwise be forgotten.

Among the collection are the Heart Shield Bibles, small Bibles with thin metal covers carried by service members during World War II and the Korean War. These were often gifted by relatives and intended to be worn over the heart. Although stories that the metal covers could stop bullets may be exaggerated, the symbolic value was significant for families and soldiers alike.

These Bibles provided spiritual protection and strength. Many contained personal messages from loved ones, such as, “May God keep you safe.” Viner explained that while the identity of those who wrote or received these messages often remains unknown, they still powerfully convey the deep emotions and hopes of families during wartime.

“If not for this Bible,” Viner said, “Weissenheimer would be largely a forgotten name.”

An older example is a worn Bible from the Civil War, carried by Union soldier John Weissenheimer. He was part of the 107th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. While records do not detail what Weissenheimer endured, his Bible’s enduring presence indicates its importance to him.

Not all Bibles accompanied soldiers to battlefields. In the 1950s, Navy chaplain Peter Boal took the Bible to Antarctica as part of Operation Deep Freeze. Boal inscribed a message wishing the recipient, “Best of luck on your journey.” This illustrates the Bible’s role across different frontiers, guiding not just soldiers in combat but also those exploring new terrains.

A longstanding Bible in the exhibit, printed by Christoph Sauer in 1776, is known as the Gun-Wad Bible. Its story, involving either British or American forces using its pages for musket wadding, underscores the Bible’s importance in American history.

Throughout time, service members have documented their experiences in Bibles. For instance, a soldier from World War I recorded his deployment journey in his Bible, showing its dual role as both a spiritual guide and personal diary.

The Bibles in Times of War exhibit is part of the Museum of the Bible’s Bible in America section. It reveals how scripture served as a constant source of hope and courage amid the challenges of warfare.