About
Mission and Vision
Bible First is a conference series designed to explore how the Bible speaks meaningfully into the social spheres that shape our lives—whether politics, psychology, economics, education, or the arts. Rooted in the intellectual and moral vision of Scripture, each event invites pastors, scholars, students, and civic leaders to think theologically and historically about the public issues that define our cultural moment.
Rather than reacting to partisan headlines or staying silent in fear of controversy, Bible First begins with the biblical narrative and builds outward—equipping the Church to engage the world with intellectual honesty, spiritual depth, and redemptive imagination. Each conference focuses on a specific domain of public life, offering biblical clarity and practical insight for those seeking to live faithfully and lead wisely.
who we are
Founded in 1816, the American Bible Society is one of the oldest and most influential Christian organizations in the United States. With a mission to see all people experience the life-changing message of God’s Word, ABS has distributed millions of Bibles globally and remains at the forefront of Bible engagement research, translation, and digital innovation. Its Philadelphia-based headquarters houses a world-class Bible Engagement Center, a thriving digital content platform, and partnerships across denominations, academic institutions, and international ministries.
The Center for Hebraic Thought exists to recover the biblical authors’ intellectual world and make it accessible to the Church and academy alike. Through publications, podcasts, online courses, and public events, CHT highlights the Bible not only as a spiritual text but also as a profound source of moral, political, and philosophical reasoning. Based in New York City and connected to a global network of scholars, CHT works to reintroduce the ideas of Scripture into today’s most urgent conversations—from theology and ethics to education and public life.
guest
Conference Organizers
Why We Partnered Together
The American Bible Society and the Center for Hebraic Thought partnered for the Bible First conference series out of a shared commitment to seeing Scripture shape public life—not just private devotion. ABS brings over two centuries of experience advancing Bible engagement on a national and global scale, while CHT brings deep academic expertise in recovering the moral and political thought of the biblical authors. Together, they offer a unique blend of reach and rigor: ABS ensures the message goes wide, and CHT ensures it goes deep. This collaboration reflects a mutual conviction that the Bible provides not only spiritual truth but also a compelling intellectual framework for understanding and engaging the most pressing issues of our day.