About Us
Historical Background
The ISV Foundation, a biblical studies research
center, is a combination of two distinct visions.
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LEARN, Inc. was founded as a nonprofit
organization in 1967 under the direction of Mr. William Whitney, Fullerton College
Reference Librarian. Other members of the Board who shared this vision were Dr. Robert
Carpenter, Medical Doctor; Dr. George Giacumakis, Professor of History at California State
University, Fullerton; and Dr. Irving Ahlquist, Professor of History at California State
University, Long Beach. Over the years, LEARN, Inc. has produced microfilm and microfiche
copies of out-of-print books and documents for personal research libraries of ministers
and Christian workers. Thousands of books and documents, available only through such
media, were produced through this organization.
The second vision was that put forth in
1986 by Mr. William P. Welty to develop a research center that would produce an
updated version of the Hebrew Old Testament text. From this proposed first project would
flow other related academic materials for the biblical scholar. Both of these visions came
together in 1996 under The ISV Foundation.
The Importance of the Bible
People of faith throughout the centuries have
recorded the revelation of God pertaining to the affairs of daily life. The experiences of
prophets, kings, and common people have been communicated through the written text of
Scripture. Jewish and Christian scholars have been concerned to make sure that the Hebrew,
Aramaic, and Greek texts would be communicated to each new generation.
Even though governments and rulers have
attempted to prevent the distribution of the translated Bible in many periods of history,
faithful scholars such as John Wycliffe and William Tyndale gave their very lives to
translate and distribute the books of the Bible. In every period of revival and renewal in
the church, the Bible was central. This awesome history compels The ISV Foundation to
undertake such projects as those listed below.
Projects of the Foundation
The ISV Foundation undertakes to produce
accurate biblical materials both in printed and electronic formats for use around the
world. Projects that are currently being developed include:
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A computer network based on
biblical texts located in different countries
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Critical editions of the Hebrew,
Aramaic, and Greek texts of the Bible
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Translations from the various texts
of the Old and New Testaments
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Bible related computer software
Critical textual commentaries on the Old and New Testaments
It is our prayer that through using these
tools believers will grow to love the Scriptures more, will seek to apply them more
faithfully to their lives, will interpret them with greater clarity, and will teach them
more fervently. |
