Situated three blocks from the U.S. Capitol, the museum includes towering bronze gates inscribed with text from the Gutenberg Bible and a soundscape of the 10 plagues, enhanced by smog and a glowing red light to symbolize the Nile turned to blood.

The museum was the brain child of US store chain, Hobby Lobby’s owner, Steve Green. Eight years ago he began collecting biblical artifacts that he hoped could become the starting point for a museum.

That vision will now be realized with the 430,000-square-foot museum.

Green said the institution he largely funded is meant to educate, not evangelise, though critics are dubious.

Museum administrators have hired a broad group of scholars as advisers.

Lawrence Schiffman, a New York University Jewish studies professor and Dead Sea Scrolls expert, called the museum a “monument” to interfaith cooperation. Exhibits have been planned from the Vatican Museum and the Israel Antiquities Authority.

“There’s just a basic need for people to read the book,” Green said. “This book has had an impact on our world and we just think people ought to know it and hopefully they’ll be inspired to engage with it after they come here.”

The building alone has been designed to inspire a sense of wonder.

Experience the book that shapes history! Be the first to see more at the Museum of the Bible this November! https://t.co/3sqTWu96qi pic.twitter.com/7o440Tsebd

— Museum of the Bible (@museumofBible) October 26, 2017

A 140-foot LED display runs…

Benedict Allen, 57, had no mobile phone or GPS device with him when he was dropped by helicopter in a remote jungle to begin an expedition.

He hoped to reach a remote tribe, thought to be one of the last on Earth to have no contact with the outside world, but was discovered by a Christian missionary worker at a remote airstrip in the heart of the country where roads have been cut off because of tribal fighting.

In a statement, his agent Jo Sarsby said: “At 5pm local time (PNG) Mr Keith Copley, the Coordinating Director for New Tribe Mission in Papua New Guinea confirmed in writing that Benedict Allen was safe, well and healthy and is presently located at a remote airstrip 20 miles northwest of Porgera, Enga Province.

“Confirmation on exact location coordinates are now being confirmed in order to arrange evacuation as soon as possible.”

Concerns were raised when Mr Allen, who was expected to begin his journey home at the weekend, failed to make a flight home via Hong Kong.

His wife, Lenka Allen, previously told the Daily Mail that their children – 10-year-old Natalya, Freddie, seven, and two-year-old Beatrice – were asking: “When’s Daddy coming home?”

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner who has joined Mr Allen on some of his expeditions in the past, told BBC Breakfast that Mr Allen had tracked “huge distances” to reach the remote airstrip.

He said: “He’s requested rescue and efforts are under way to try…

The 93-year-old president made his first public appearance on Friday since the military put him under house arrest this week, attending a graduation ceremony on the outskirts of Harare.

The appearance came even as the military announced “significant progress” on talks for his departure and arrested some of his allies.

In a Facebook status posted on Thursday, Archbishop Justin said he had been following the events closely and is praying intensely for a peaceful solution.

He said: “I am praying for the whole nation of Zimbabwe – its people, its military, its political leaders – that they may find a path forward that leads to the flourishing of this nation and all its people.”

Praying for the whole nation of #Zimbabwe – its people, its military, its political leaders – that they may find a path forward that leads to the flourishing of this nation and all its people. pic.twitter.com/ShnS37x9FH

— Justin Welby ن (@JustinWelby) November 16, 2017

Archbishop Justin added that he “stands in solidarity” with the Church in Zimbabwe.

He said: “To the Church in Zimbabwe: your brothers and sisters around the Anglican Communion stand with you in prayer, solidarity and hope.

“Your faith, courage and persistence in the face of difficult times has long been an example to the world.

“May God strengthen, protect and guide you as you seek to bear witness to the love of Christ at this deeply challenging time.”