Retired Professor Handwrote New Testament

A former university administrator spent over 200 hours transcribing the biblical text by hand in Arkansas.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Scrapbooking

Flat opaque gouache-painted illustration of a wooden writing tool and inkwell on a sunlit oak surface, evoking meditative patience. — Retired professor Don Ashley has completed a handwritten transcription of the New Testament, a project that took over 200 hours and eight months to finish in Arkansas. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Don Ashley, a retired university professor who relocated to Arkansas from Anchorage, has completed a handwritten copy of the New Testament. The meticulous project took eight months and 15 days to finish.

Why it matters

The labor-intensive endeavor was inspired by a display of the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls, serving as a personal anchor for Ashley during significant life transitions. The act highlights a dedicated pursuit of meditative focus in an era of digital distraction.

The transcription project required 210 hours of manual labor to complete. Ashley is now applying this same practice to the 150 Psalms.

The players

Don Ashley

Don Ashley is a retired university professor and administrator who relocated to Arkansas from Anchorage, Alaska.

The details

Ashley corrected any errors by lining through them as he worked through the text. The project began in January 2026 after his inspiration at a Dead Sea Scrolls display.

The project began in January 2026.
The completed project was posted to social media in October 2026.

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Culture Shift

This project mirrors the historical preservation efforts seen during the 1940s and 50s discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. By choosing manual transcription, the work stands as a rejection of modern digital haste in favor of traditional, meditative documentation practices.

Readers may find that adopting a long-term manual project provides a practical way to anchor focus during major life changes. The methodology of correcting errors by lining through them offers a simple, low-tech approach to personal record-keeping.

The takeaway

Engaging in intensive, tactile hobbies can provide a profound sense of continuity and grounding during periods of transition. This project serves as a reminder that deliberate, slow-paced work can offer personal rewards that digital platforms cannot replicate.