LightGrams
July 10, 2025
Volume 29, Number 21
Harvard University has collections of historical documents. One notable group is nearly 30 copies of the Magna Carta. One copy was purchased in 1946 for $27.50 from Sotheby’s in London. It was considered to be a “sheriff’s copy” of the document, interesting, but not nearly as valuable as an original copy signed by King John and “rebel barons” who pressured the king into signing it.
The Magna Carta was first drafted and signed by King John of England in 1215; it was revised and reissued in 1300, the date of the document Harvard holds. The Magna Carta is regarded as a predecessor of America’s Constitution. For the 13th century it was a significant step forward in recognizing the rights of the common people of the land.
While studying document HLS MS 172 in December of 2023, scholar David Carpenter realized that it might be an original, not a copy. Is that significant? Yes, absolutely! Now that his suspicion has been confirmed, the value of the document is now in the millions of dollars. (Harvard, by the way, is not interested in selling it.)
What is the value of the Bible? Some leather-bound copies sell for hundreds of dollars; some can be found that are even pricier. But you can easily find a Bible for $10 or less, and that “cheap” Bible is just as precious as the costly edition with genuine gold-edged pages.
Most people don’t understand that the Bible is more than an old book. Hebrews 4:12 states it well: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Note the first words in that verse: “The word of God.” It’s a book from God.
What makes the Bible so valuable is that we need it. Psalm 119:105 makes that clear: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” It provides the light that will guide us through this dark world. Without the Bible’s guidance we are certain to become lost along our journey to eternity.
But here is the most important fact to know about the Bible’s value: It can save lost people. James 1:21 counsels us to “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” No, it’s not the ancient book that saves, but the truth contained in its pages. As Jesus said in John 8:32, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
How do you regard the Bible? Is it valuable to you? To find that answer, let me ask one more question: How often do you read it? You may profess your high esteem of God’s word, but if you’re not taking time to read and understand it, do you really see its value?
We would all do well to make daily Bible reading a fixture in our daily schedules.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2025, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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